NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Southland Times, Issue 673, 22 May 1867, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

(Condensed from the " Argus.") THE FENIAN INSURRECTION. The "rising generation "-—as Punch has named, the Fenians— has at length attempted open insurrection. The outbreak which I reported last month proves to have been only the prelude to a more general movement. The plot was laid, the day was fixed, and nothing was wanted but concerted action to bring the whole of "the brotherhood" into the field. Their plaii was to rise simultaneously at all points ; and along a line of country stretching at least two hundred miles, from Drogheda, by way of Dublin and the Wicklow mountains, to "Waterford, Cork, and Limerick, the alarm was actually, raised. The idea was, for their purpose, the best that could be conceived, and showed a power of organisation by no means contemptible, yet never had rebellion a.more ignominious failure. As far as concerns the Fenians, not a gleam of heroism enlivens the story ; a more mean and miserable show they could not have made. '■ „ As Fenianism has lost influence in America, its leaders have sought to revive its slumbering fires by rumours of movements on this side the Atlantic. Their boasts had no longer any effect ; and if something startling was notimmmediately done, it was apparent that they and their schemes must quickly founder together. Accordingly, a considerable number of discharged American : Boldiers, and some few officers: who had distinguished themselves in the recent war, all - of Irish birtK or extraction, were Bent over to Ireland, to "mobilise' the army of the Republic, and prepare j to bring intd! the field the secret host, whom they were told awaited only experienced leaders.' These men have come from the States in small batches, and "quietly stolen into places of security until the moment of action arrived. «,.■: . . •/ „,'- DT IRELAND. It was the evening of Shrove Tuesday when a number of men were observed in the quiet suburbs of Dublin, making their way out in knots of twos and threes, to. the country beyond; many carried bundles, and they moved along, sometimes singing, sometimes shouting, in one continuous stream. This was the Fenian vanguard. ' A In one field 500 infen were seen assembled, armed with daggers, pikes and such weapons *as * fortune afforded. These all advanced towards the village of Tallaght^which lies about five miles from the city; at the foot of the Dublin mountains, and* where it was proposed to have concentrated their forces, and distributed arms and ammunition. The spot was admirably chosen,. as_ commanding several roads, and; giving a ; base of action in the hills beyond, as well as securities of defence in their glens atrd valleys. But as usual, a traitor had given information to the authorities of the intended movement a few hours beforehand, and the constabulary patrolling the roads succeeded, in capturing two large waggons containing quantities of ammuniti(ra..= A detachment was encountered near the police-barrack at Tallaght, about. v midnight. The leader of the insurrgerits aimed a blow with his sword at one of the policemen, who parried the stroke cleverly with his rifle and Bword-bayonet, and with the latter gave his asailant a mortal thrust in the abdomen. The Fenians then withdrew bearing off their wounded leader, but leaving behind a cart full of ammunition., . The police, reinforced, soon afterwards were ineV by two large bodies of Fenians, eaoh numbering some hundreds; shots were .exchanged, but the little band of constabulary — not more then fourteen— -stood firm, headed by the gallant Burke, and and as their well-directed volley fell upon their assailants they were Beized with a panic, turned, threw down their arms and fled. Of a like , character have been all tK'e incidents of the conflict, Meanwhile, alarming messages came pouring in from all the country round. At Drogheda, twenty -three miles north of Dublin, about 1,000 Fenians took possession of the Market-square; but at the second volley of the police, who Numbered only twenty-five, retreated, falling one over the other in their huiy . jted flight.. Twenty-flye of them were captured, several were, wounded, and. a quantity of ammunition wfta seised^ with

From the south came intelligence that the telegraph wires had been cut at numerous points, and that the railways had been torn up at different places; also that many police stations had been attacked, and that large bodies of insurgents had been observed gathering on the mountains. In the counties of Tipperary and Limerick, and round the city of Cork, large 'parties of Fenians had appeared in arms, or threatened acts of violence. At Kiimallock, in the neighborhood.of Limerick, some 200 Fenians besieged the police barracks, but were held at bay for three hours by a garrison of fourteen constables, and finally driven off by the arrival of another small body. At Kilrush, on the mouth of the Shannon a coastguard station was seized. At several places the police-barracks had been fired, and compelled to surrender. Private), houses had been attacked, -and arms demanded, and horses stolen. Many families collected their valuables, and prepared for flight ; others more courageously made preparations for resistance. .Signals were seen- upon the hills flashing their dangerous lights into the distance ; and. an undefined fear spread along the valleys. Some acts of atrocity were .reported — such as the placing prisoners in front when exposed to fire, the compelling men to join in Fenian raids at the point of the bayonet, or pike, the shooting and murder of some who refused ; other acts indicated timidity or a hesitancy to resort to the extremities of war, such ; as ) the seizing of goods and returning of them, the taking of a man from his house and conveying him back, again. But the utter impotency of the whole movement soon became „ apparent. Nowhere did the rebels stand ; whenever they showed themselves they showed cowardice and imbecility ; as miserable dupes they displayed none of the formidable qualities that attached to the conspirators of other days. , The con* stabulary, on the other hand, everywhere acquitted themselves with great bravery, and with most admirable patriotism and loyalty.. . The military were scarcely needed, although rapidly thrown out to meet the danger. Six "flying columns " were formed, to sweep round the disaffected districts; and restore: order and confidence. , But nowhere ihave the Fenians ventured to appear. In less than three days the insurrection had spent itself. - ■"''■ ! - '- So the T great lonian j agitation has culminated, in hopeless and defeated rebellion • but' it has still power for mischief. Thejntelligence of the country is a-gainsj; it, both Roman Catholic and Protestant ; but its roots run deep beneath the soil, and destroy its fruitfulness: It was feared that on St. Patrick's Day • another attempt would be made, in LiverDool especially, but the day passed over with-., out any movement. . TBliL Or THE BEBELS. ; Special commissions will sit. at once to try the prisoners taken. Some important captures have been made ; amongst them.jbhatof " General" Massy, reported to have, been the commander-in-chief of the reDel'forces, but who, when arrested on the platform of the railway at Limerick, fainted away, and remained for ten minutes in a swoon. The public feeling is strongly in favor of ; awarding severe justice to these American filibusters, and the leaders of the revolt; but of dealing gently wiih those who through ignorance have been beguiled into a foolish oath. Ireland, in this instance, owes mainly to its constabulary deliverance from the dangers of a wide-spread insurrection. The gallant conduct of these men, which is the brightest feature of the whole history, will be appropriately recognised. A vote of thanks will be proposed in Parliament, and the sum of £2,000 given for distribution, while it is in contemplation to bestow some special reward of merit in addition. ;