THE FENIAN FIASCO. THE AFFAIR AT TROUT RIVER,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 129, 28 July 1870, Page 7

THE FENIAN FIASCO. THE AFFAIR AT TROUT RIVER,

Dispatdies to the "New York Tribune." Tbout BivEit (Near Malone, N. V.), May 27th. — Another engagement took place this morning on the Trout Kiver line, three quarters of a mile over the border. The Fenians were routed, and immediately withdrew to their encampment on the American side, which is within a stone's throw of the dividing line. One man belonging to the Fenian force was killed, two were severely wounded, while a captain was taken prisoner. Not a single Canadian received a scratch. Last night that portion of the Fenian army quartered here was augmented by the arrival of three hundred men front New York and Troy, and the prospects of those who fought at Cook s Corner began to brighten. It was thought that a grand rally could be made, and that by a vigorous and determined effort their fortunes might be somewhat retrieved. To that end those more cheerful than the rest encouraged their fellows, and it was finally resolved upon to make a bold advance. ! It may be mentioned that for some days past the regular encampment of the Fenians has been on the bank of the Trout river, and within a few hundred yards from the border. This is the point where customs are paid, while it also forms a small village, there being several wooden structures in the vicinity. The Fenian camp was immediately at the rear of a little church, secure in its way, but very much exposed. Here they encamped and at once placed guards on sentry, but their movements and doinga generally could easily be observed from the Canadian side. Wednesday, probably not more than 100 Fenians, with their officers, had congregated, but that number was gradually increased by the slow arrival of stragglers, who were compelled to walk 12 miles from Malone, over a wretched road, to reach the place. When the train arrived last evening, the men were quite fatigued and fagged out from exhaustion, having, it .was said, eaten nothing but a few hard crackers during their 24 hours' journey. Under the circumstances, therefore, they did not at once proceed to the encampmentatTroutEiver, but lingered here at Malone, some sleeping in the depot, others in barna and hallways. A few, however, journeyed out in the dark. When the day dawned, the word was given to move from Malone, and about 50 men promptly answered the summons. Prostrated by hunger and fatigue, a great many were unable to proceed, and, though determined to fight, waited untill their strengh should be recruited. At about 4 o'clock the men began to rouse themselves properly, and having been given to understand that an engagement was to take place in a few hours, they left Malone in small groups and wended their way towards camp. It was a weary tramp, and the prospects were anything^but encouraging. Meanwhile a company of United States regulars arrived at Malone from Sackott's Harbor, a circumstance which induced the Fenians to quit the town more rapidly and in larger numbers. It was fully eight o'clock when any sort of an attempt was made to organize the Fenians at the camping ground. The details came in irregularly and at long intervals, and, although a reinforcement was anxiously expected, none put in an appearence. The straggling parties, that dribbled in at once donned some kind of a uniform, and were armed with fine breechloaders and plenty of ammunition. They now numbered three hundred and fifty men, one-third veterans, and the rest, though staunch and hardylooking fellows, evidently untrained and uudiseiplined. Officers, lieuts., and privates were all mixed up together — indeed, it was impossible to tell one from the other — and most of the men present were entirely ignorant as to who was in command, their destination, or any circumstances whatever of the coming battle. To most of them Gen. Starr, the commander, was completely unknown, and all the preliminary evolutions were ! characterized by much disorder. Great excitement prevailed. All the preparatory arrangements being irregularly carried out, some grumbled at the paucity of the numbers, some at the officers who appeared to know very little of what they were about, and others at the ill-timed attempt generally. But at a rigid determination was observable on most of the men, many of whom were not slow to give vent to their feelings of indignation against Great Britain. Some swore they would sooner die than return homeward. After much parieying the Fenians wore got together, and at the word of command the force moved out upon the road and faced in the direction of the border. Scarcely a whisper was heard as the men approached the line On they marched, irregularly to be sure, but with a rapidity and apparent desire for fight that plainly showed to the observer that should their foe be encountered an engagement must take place. The Fenians crossed the border at twenty minutes past eight o'clock, and continuod on their march in a solid body for about half a mile, when, parsing through a maple grove, they halted

and commenced to throw up breastworks.

This undertaking they began with a will, and were proceeding briskly when suddenly the Canadian forces hove in sight, at a distance of about 800 yards. Their appearance was like an apparition, but the sight of the red coats roused the Fenians. They seemed to forget their position and by a suppressed cry intimated their desire for the struggle. The Canadian force, numbering 1,800 men and 800 reserve, chiefly consisted of the Huntington volunteers, and were under command of Colonel Bagot, of the Sixty-ninth Kegulars, British Army. Upon the approach of the Canadian volunteers the Fenians were drawn up in line of battle, sixteen skirmishers having been previously thrown out about twenty yards in advance of the main body. The spectacle was a strange one, and fully exhibited the thorough foolhardiness of the men who desired to avenge their wrongs. The Fenians stood still, but the Canadian forces continued to advance in three columns, and first opened the battle by a round of musketry. The distance between the contending forces, however, was too great for the shots to take effect. The Fenians promptly answered the fire. Poorly covered by the main line, the band of skirmishers blindly advanced, the Canadians meanwhile firing away, and the Fenians returning fire with all the appearance of determination to maintain their position. A loud, sharp volley came through the trees, and the leader of the skirmishers, Dennis Dugan, was numbered among the dead. The Canadians were now rapidly advancing on the Fenians' breastworks, all the time keeping up the fire. The right and left columns commenced to deploy skirmishers, the intention being to surround and capture the entire of the Fenian body. ; Previous to this Gen. Starr gave the order to retreat, but with remarkable daring and coolness the Fenians in the front defiantly answered him : " Never ! never ! We will fight, and let us die rather than go back. Come on !" But heedless of their entreaties to : lead them to battle, Gren. Starr turned | round alone and disappeared. With desperation the Fenians rallied, but | being without a leader, they fired 1 indiscriminately. They were beyond control, and every single man seemed to fight 'On his own separate account unconscious that within a few minutes they would be perhaps beyond the hope of deliverance. The volunteers were now closing around their adversaries, and, as if by ways of warning, fired several volleys in rapid succession, and another of the ! Fenians skirmishers, an officer named Donnelly, fell to the ground. The Fenians, entirely out of order and desperate and completely demoralized, were about to make a wild charge, when, luckily they wheeled around, and, scattering, fled in different directions.