Subscribe..
FENIAN RAID OF ‘66 (Part 9)
[People's Press, 23 June 1908]
EXTRACTS FROM THE TRIBUNE OF FORTY-TWO YEARS AGO, TELLING OF THE NOTED INVASION.
“The privates have been released from the scow on their own recognizance for $500 to appear if charge is laid against them. This news was received by the captive Fenians with great rejoicings.
President Johnson has at last issued a proclamation against Fenianism.
The Fenians have been gathering on the lines below for some time, and are now supposed to number about 10,000. Want of arms only deters them from crossing.
The Fenian loss is killed and wounded will probably be about the same as ours. We have also a large number of prisoners.
The volunteer arrested in this town on Tuesday night, while making his way towards Wainfleet, was conveyed to Chippawa by the deputy sheriff and Mr. Lampman. He proved to be a deserter, and his capture was hailed with delight by his comrades.
It is reported that five captured Fenians were shot on Sunday last by our troops. They are said to have been caught in the woods and were given no quarter. We can scarcely believe this. Let us by all means do nothing hastily but give the murderers and robbers their due as awarded by the proper authorities.
On Friday, when the Fenians took possession of the eastern part of Bertie township, a small party of them proceeded to near Ridgeway and burned the bridge on the Grand Trunk railway, known as Saurwine’s bridge.
In the column from Chippawa complaints were loud against Col. Peacock for being slow. Among the foot artillery Col. Dennis is blamed greatly for his foolishness in pitting 80 men against 400, and at Port Colborne Col. Booker is strongly accused not only of rashness, but of something like cowardice. Between the three the Fenians escaped being bagged.
It is reported that Col. Dennis gave his parole to the Fenians prior to being released. Col. Dennis denies the assertion.
Three more Fenians prisoners arrived here yesterday evening and the whole batch in all eleven-were taken to Niagara and lodged in the jail. A detachment of the Home Guard accompanied them. They were all hard looking, desperate fellows.
Welland During the Raid- Our town was one grand scene of confusion during the last two days’ raid. The excitement ran highest on Friday, when all manner of false reports were eagerly circulated and believed by many. To the reeve of the village, T.W. Hooker, Esq., the people are indebted for the active measures inaugurated for their defense and protection. A public meeting was called for on Friday and it was determined to appoint a Vigilance Committee, and the body kept in session night and day during the raid. No arms could be procured, and the operations of the committee were enabled to contradict the sensational reports and “extras” circulated throughout the town.”
- The above extracts were taken from the Welland Tribune, dated Thursday, June 7, 1866.
Add A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.