Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada — John Shaqi
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
The Fenian chief alighted at the garden wicket, which opens from the
road skirting Niagara river, walked up to the house, where he was
met at the door by Mrs. Newbigging. This family came from Greenock,
in Scotland some years ago. The Fenian courteously introduced
himself, was sorry to cause alarm; assured the lady that although
the premises, on this side the creek and fields beyond were occupied
by an armed force, no harm would be done, if every one in the house
remained quiet. He had a sick gentlemen whom it was necessary to put
to bed. Soldiers would be placed in the house to attend him, and
protect the family. None else would be permitted within doors. O’Neil
and officers, some of them, not all, had meals in the house; and the
sick person had warm drinks, all of which were prepared by Fenian
hands; Mrs. Newbigging’s offers of assistance being declined. All
remained quiet within doors, but there was uproar outside. Between
forty and fifty horses were collected and brought to the premises
before sunset, upon all of which men wildly mirthful and grotesque in
dress and manners galloped and curvetted about, along the river side
road and over the farm fields. An American reporter said a hundred
horses. Three of Mr. Newbigging’s best were taken. One of brown color
with white hind feet answered the description of a charger shot
under its rider in the combat of next day, and which he supposed was
his; but the three were returned on Sunday, June 3rd, not seriously
injured though much distressed. One of his waggons and a set of
harness were found in the woods a wreck. Several of his sheep were
killed, and at the hurried midnight departure thrown into the creek.
At Mr. Stockdale’s house next farm north, thirteen cured hams,
several crocks of butter and sacks of flour were taken. That
provision had been made for hay and harvest workers. Nine or ten
of the hams rudely slashed with sword cuts, and sacks of flour
were afterwards found in the creek. An old Englishman named Penny,
residing alone, was visited; his money was demanded. He gave a
dollar, all he had. They threatened, he says, to bake him on the
stove if he did not disclose where more money was concealed, but
beyond frightening the poor man, the plunderers only seem to have
taken the dollar. Mrs. McCarty living further down the river side
road, said they tore up her carpets, broke open a bureau and took
twelve dollars in money. Many fowls, turkeys and geese were taken.
Their remains, with feathers, still strewed the bivouac field when I
was there, 19th to 22nd June.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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