out 200 men, and the balance of their troops in reserve.
They had only a short distance to go before they reached the boundary
line. Some eight rods north of the line (on the Canadian side) is a
gully through which runs a small brook known locally as "Chickabiddy
Creek," over which the road is bridged, and beyond which are the rocky
heights of Eccles' Hill, where a small Canadian force was entrenched
among the rocks and trees awaiting the approach of the invaders.

The house of Alva Richards, about ten rods south of the border line, on
the road from Franklin to Cook's Corners, was chosen by Gen. O'Neil as
his headquarters. From the Richards house to the Canadian position was a
distance of only about a quarter of a mile.

Immediately after crossing the boundary, the Burlington (Vermont)
Company of Fenians (about fifty men), under command of Capt. Cronan,
dashed down the hill to form a skirmish line across the brook. Just as
they did so the Canadians opened fire. At the first volley Private John
Rowe was instantly killed, and Lieut. John Hallinan received a flesh
wound in the arm. The company wavered, and receiving no support, fell
back to the shelter of the Richards house and outbuildings. The next
company (under Capt. Carey) joined Capt. Cronan in the rear of the
house, and commenced firing. Soon afterwards Private James Keenan
ventured out too far and received a ball in the leg, near the ankle.
This hot reception, and the sharp fire of the Canadians, caused
a stampede, and Gen. O'Neil endeavored to rally his troops by the
following address:--

"Men of Ireland! I am ashamed of you. You have acted disgracefully, but
you will have another chance of showing whether you are cravens or not.
Comrades, we must not, _we dare not_, go back now, with the stain of
cowardice upon us. Comrades. I will lead you again, and if you will not
follow me, I will go on with my officers and die in your front. I leave
you now under command of Gen. Boyle O'Reilly."

After this brave utterance, Gen. O'Neil (who had been across the border
on an eminence opposite the Canadian position, watching events) retired
to an attic window in the Richards house, from which point he intended
to observe the fortunes of the day. But the Canadian riflemen having
discovered his presence there, directed their fire upon him, and Mr.
Richards ordered O'Neil to leave his residence, which was getting
seriously damaged by bullets. Just as he went out of the house, G