Invasion of the frontier of Eastern Townships, Lower Canada. Freligsburg. Pigeon Hill. Losses by Fenian invasion. Compensation paid. Another invasion threatened.
The Fenian plans of invasion, as sketched in the first chapter, embraced the river St. Lawrence and the Eastern Townships frontier of Lower Canada. The intervention of the United States authorities to enforce the laws of neutrality and intercept the incursion of the Fenians into Canada has been lightly esteemed, after the event, by some in this country from whom a wiser policy might be expected. I am not of their number, but prefer to say, as Her Majesty’s speech at the prorogation of the imperial parliament said; as the Prime Minister, head of the great conservative party of Britain, said; as his son, Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said, that the friendly action of the American government was just and honorable and entitled to the thanks of this Province and of the Empire. On the 8th of June President Johnson issued a proclamation directed in strong terms against such citizens of the United States as had taken part in or been accessory to the Fenian raid upon Canada. It was late, but the government had intervened to arrest the passage of Fenians to the frontier, before the proclamation was issued. Its true value is to be estimated by a calculation of what was likely to have occurred had no hindrance to the invaders been opposed by the American authorities; or by the measure of disquietude now, month of September, prevailing in apprehension that the President and his cabinet have ceased to enforce neutrality, as they enforced it in June.
The portion of the Narrative which falls to this concluding chapter comprises a mingled sketch of Fenians pressing to the frontier, and intercepted by United States troops; or crossing the boundary line in Lower Canada, committing depredations and escaping from before Provincial forces directed against them.
Under date of New York, June 5th, it was reported that quantities of ammunition and arms had been seized at O’Day’s, in Buffalo, the day before and confiscated. But that on the other hand that Fenians were moving upon Canada from Malone and were said to have artillery. A Montreal despatch to New York said that all was quiet on the 4th at Plattsburg, Lake Champlain and in that vicinity. That there was a large number of Fenian spies in the city. That the Mayor had compelled the police to take the oath of allegiance, but that a number had refused, (last not true). And it was thought the Fenians would cross and make a stand near Cornwall.
A Rutland, Vermont, despatch of same date, June 5th, said that the main body of Fenians at Fairfield met smaller columns at Swanton and Fairfax about 12 miles from the Canada lines. And that they had in large force crossed the border and were marching toward the St. Lawrence, the border there being only a geographical line. And in the night of June 4th, a force was said to have come up by the Vermont Central railroad, 2000 strong.
Same date specials from St. Albans, Vermont, said 31 cases of Fenian arms had been seized at Rouse’s Point. And the St. Albans Fenian camp under Colonel Spears had moved towards the Canada line. And special messages from General Sweeney had reached Spears. Something important was expected to be immediately done.
Ogdensburg specials intimated that Canada had about 2,000 regulars and volunteers assembled at Prescott, the scene of the fight at Windmill point in the rebellion days of 1837, where United States adventurers committed the mistake, the crime of crossing into this Province.
Other specials of the same date, June 5, received in New York, were as follows: One from Potsdam said, the Beauharnois canal [in the St. Lawrence group] was cut by Fenians from Coteau du Lac to the river; also, that Gen. Murphy was to cross at St. Regis and Cornwall with 4,500 infantry, and another column was to cross at Beauharnois or Laprairie, and cut the Lachine canal. Gen. Spears, with 3,000 men was to move from St. Albans via Philipsburg, cutting the railroad at St. John’s Junction and the Grand Trunk at St. Hilaire and St. Hyacinthe.
Watertown, N. Y., June 5.—The Fenian train was come up with at Richville by a company of U. S. troops, who took the arms, ammunition and men in charge. Cincinnati. O., June 5.—$3,000 were subscribed for the Fenian cause at a meeting on the previous night. It was stated that 3,000 Fenians had left for the frontier.
Boston, June 5.—It was estimated that 600 Fenians left Boston yesterday afternoon for St. Albans and northern New York. About 300 belonging to the 3rd regiment left by the Lowell road. About the same number took the Fitchburg R. R.