-COMPLETE DEFEAT OF THE FENIAN ARMY.

On the morning of the 24th of May Lieut.-Col. W. Osborne Smith, Deputy
Adjutant-General of the Fifth Military District, at Montreal, received
advices from trustworthy sources that the Fenians were again assembling
on the Vermont border, and that telegraph wires had been cut in several
places by them. He at once notified the authorities at Ottawa by wire
of these events, and asked for instructions in regard to calling out the
forces under his command for active service.

As was customary, the whole of the Montreal Garrison had been assembled
that day for the usual parade and review in honor of Her Majesty's
birthday. As the hours wore on and no reply had been received from
Ottawa by Col. Smith in answer to his telegrams, he promptly took the
extreme responsibility permitted by the 60th Section of the Militia
Act, and called out for service a large portion of the troops of his
district, including all the frontier and Montreal corps. He reported his
action to the Lieutenant-General Commanding, who approved of his action
and his suggestions as to the disposal of the troops instantly required
on the frontier, and further ordered that he should personally assume
command at the threatened point of attack in the neighborhood of
Frelighsburg.

He then addressed the men on parade, informing them that the Fenians
were on the frontier with warlike intentions, and that from that moment
they were on active service; moreover, that he required five companies
at once to proceed to the frontier under his command. The entire brigade
responded with great enthusiasm, and was ready there and then to
move off to the border to meet the enemy. As the whole force was not
required. Col. Smith made his selections and left for the front within a
few hours, taking with him the Montreal Troop of Cavalry, and companies
from the 1st Prince of Wales Rifles. 3rd Victoria Rifles, 5th Royals,
6th Battalion Hochelaga Light Infantry, together with one officer and
20 men of the Montreal Garrison Artillery. The latter contingent was
detailed to reinforce Isle aux Noix, while the remainder of the force
proceeded on to St. John's. On arrival there the Montreal troops (with
the exception of the cavalry and the company of Victoria Rifles) were
left to garrison St. John's, together with the 21st Battalion and the
St. John's Garrison Battery of Artillery. Lieut.-Col. Fletcher was left
in command at St. John's, with instruction