THE FENIAN RAID ON CANADA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 51, 13 January 1872, Page 3

THE FENIAN RAID ON CANADA.

The " St. Paul's Despatch" of 14th October says:—From parties direct from the scene of the excitement, we learn that General O'Neill, who figured conspicuously in this city as a lecturer a short time since, was seen on the sth instant at the head of a body of about thirty armed men, approaching the Hudson Bay post. O'Neill was accompanied by O'Donohue, Colonel Donnelly, and Colonel Carley. The arms of the men consisted of Springfield rifles. At the Hudson Bay post there were only three men and two women, who submitted without resistance to his superior force. Sentinels were stationed around the post, and the formidable army then proceeded to help themselves. A council of war was called by the commanding general, and while this council was considering future great conquests, a sentinel came in great haste announcing the arrival of a large force of United States troops, and that they were close at hand. A great consternation ensued ; a panic followed; the Fenians vamoosed— O'Neill leaving his sword and O'Donohue his rifle. Colonel Wheaton, an American officer, with companies I and K, United States troops, pursued the fleeing *' army," captured General O'Neill, Colonel Donnelly, Colonel Carley, and ten others, two hundred stand of arms, with six or eight thousand rounds of ammunition. Colonel Wheaton and his force were only three hours behind the Fenian " army." It is reported that Colonel Wheaton, when near O'Neill, ordered his men to fire, which they did. Others state that the Fenian " army"

was taken without any such demonstration. O'Donoghue " put out" and escaped, but one of our informants says he was subsequently captured, and is now *• in durance vile." Another informant says that previous to the raid on the sth considerable excitement had existed at Fort Garry, in contemplation of the Fenian movement. Early on the morning of the 6th a half-breed informed Mr Douglas, assistant Custom-house officer, that a borly of men were marching down upon them. He went to the door, and finding the statement true, he (Doug!as)st arted across the prarie to alarm the Hudson Bay post. Gen. O'Donohue and another man pursued him, overtook him, put a pistol to his head, and ordered him back. Douglas refused to go unless O'Donohue gave him the authority by which he acted. Then O'Donohue said: "By the authority of the Provincial Government of Nanitoba." Douglas "caved," and the Fenians marched down and took the Hudson Bay post, which was occupied by Mr Wait and clerk and an old man and his wife. The victory was complete, and the victors took possession of all the clothing, provisions, and other articles to be found, starting one cartload of provisions down the river. The unfortunate prisoners were allowed the liberty of the inside of the stockade, but not permitted to go outside. A half-breed arrested by the Fenians and liberated was the bearer of dispatches to Colonel Wheaton who commanded the United States forces at Pembina, who was informed of the raid and assistance was asked. The colonel promptly responded, and, when near the Fenian " army," sent forward a bearer to inquire of General O'Neil the object of his raid. The bearer was ushered into the presence of O'Neil as a prisoner, and held as such at the point of the bayonet. On the announcement of the coming of the American troops, there was a general scattering to and fro, and the victorious " army" was fleeing, pursued by the United States soldiers. O'Donohue knocked one of his men from his horse, mounted it and was off. Others seized the horses of half-breeds and put across the country ; others, on foot, scampered to the brush, throwing away their arms as they ran. The troops fired a volley at the retreating " warriors," but no injury was done, when Colonel Wheaton mounted a horse, drew his pistol, and pursued the retreating foe for some distance a head of his men. Approaching O'Neil, Donnelly, and Carley, he demanded their surrender, and the officers and ten men yielded t<» the persuasive eloquence of Uncle Sam's power. The provisions and other articles seized by the Fenians were re-captured by Colonel Wheaton. The prisoners are now confined in the barracks at Fort Pembing. All our informants state that O'Neill took his arrest quite coolly, even so far as to smoke his pipe while riding to the fort. He left so suddenly when the United States troops made their appearance that he forgot his sword, which was lying on the table. O'Donohue left his rifle and cloak. Colonel Wheaton is apprised of another body of Fenians, near St Joe, and has taken measures to either arrest or disperse them. The colonel states that, if his troops had been mounted, the whole Fenian " army" would have been captured. The proclamation of the Governor at Manitoba is generally endorsed by the people, and our information is to the effect that Fort Garry is sufficiently strong to resist several thousand men. The Fenians who accompanied O'Neill are dissatisfied with his generalship, and some assert that he actually connived at the capture of his force. It is generally thought that the raid will amount to nothing, and that the deluded " warriors " will stray back to the places from whence they came, " wiser if not better men." A gentleman just down from the " infected district," says that the reports given above are all true. The number of Fenians engaged were 33 ; 300 Springfield rifles and about 10,000 rounds of ammunition were captured; that they are completely demoralised, and there is no further fear of a display of prowess.