Troublous Times in Canada | Page 5

per annum, payable on presentation of this Bond at the Treasury
of the Irish Republic.
Date ......
[Stamp. Office of the Treasury.]
JOHN O'NEILL, Agent for the Irish Republic.
In the light of subsequent events, when the dreams of the visionary
enthusiasts have been so rudely dispelled, the sight of one of these
bonds must present as much sadness and pathos to the beholder as the
vision of an old Confederate bank note does to the erstwhile defenders
of the "Lost Cause" of the Southern States.
As the coffers of the Irish Republic began to fill rapidly, the Fenian
leaders became more hopeful and bombastic, while enthusiasm among
the rank and file continued to be worked up to fever pitch. President
Roberts gathered a select coterie about him at his headquarters in New
York to assist in upholding his dignity, and incidentally help to boost
the cause. Plots and plans of all kinds were hatched against Great
Britain, and loud-mouthed orators were kept busy for several months
fanning the embers of Irish patriotism into flame.
General Sweeny was very active during the winter of 1865 and 1866 in
getting his "War Department" fully organized and his field forces ready
for the spring campaign against Canada. His staff was composed of the
following officers, all of whom had seen active service in the Civil
War:--
Chief of Staff--Brigadier-General C. Carroll Tavish. Chief of Engineer
Corps--Col. John Meehan. Chief of Ordnance--Col. C. H. Rundell.
Engineer Corps--Lieut.-Col. C. H. Tresiliar. Assistant
Adjutant-General--Major E. J. Courtney. Ordnance Department--Major
M. O'Reilly. Quartermaster--Major M. H. Van Brunt.

Aide-de-Camps--Capt. D. W. Greely and Capt. Daniel O'Connell.
This galaxy of officers strutted majestically around Headquarters
garbed in the gorgeous green and gold uniforms of the Fenian Army,
looked wise, and promised all enquirers that important movements
would be made in the spring. Secret meetings were held almost daily at
Headquarters, when the plan of campaign would be discussed over and
over again, and amendments made wherever necessary. Finally the
following plan of operations was given out in March, 1866, as the gist
of one evolved by the Council, which is said to have embodied Gen.
Sweeny's whole strategic programme:--
"Expeditions for the invasion of Canada will rendezvous at Detroit and
Rochester, and at Ogdensburg and Plattsburg, and at Portland. The
forces assembled at the two first-named points are to operate conjointly
against Toronto, Hamilton, and the west of Upper Canada. From
Ogdensburg and Plattsburg demonstrations will be made against
Montreal, and ultimately Quebec; Kingston will be approached by
Cape Vincent, while Portland will be the general place of embarkation
for expeditions against the capitals of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia."
THE BASES OF OPERATIONS.
"The Canadian and provincial borders once crossed, bases of operations
will be established in the enemy's country, so that international quarrels
with the Washington Government may be evaded. There are to be lands
chosen at the head of Passamaquoddy Bay, Saint John's, on the
Chambly, close to the foot of Lake Champlain; Prescott, on the Saint
Lawrence; Wolfe Island, at the foot of Lake Ontario; Hamilton,
Cobourg Goderich, and Windsor, in Upper Canada. These places are all
within convenient distances of the United States, and afford by water
an easy retreat, as well as cunning receptacles for fresh American
levies."
THE FORCES AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE FENIANS.
"The Irish Republic calculates to have, by the first of April, fifteen

millions of dollars at its disposal in ready cash. This will give
transportation and maintenance for one month to thirty thousand men, a
greater number than were ever before mustered to the conquest of the
Canadian possessions. Of this force, eight thousand will carry the line
of the Grand Trunk road west of Hamilton; five thousand, crossing
from Rochester to Cobourg, will be prepared to move either east, in
time to act jointly with three thousand men from Wolfe Island, upon
Kingston, or to take part with the western detachment in the capture of
Toronto. All this, it is believed, will be the work of two weeks. Thus
entrenched securely in Upper Canada, holding all the routes of the
Grand Trunk, sufficient rolling stock secured to control the main line,
the Fenians hope to attract to their colors fifty thousand American
Irishmen, and equip a navy on Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario. The
avenues to return so being secured, thirty thousand men, under General
Sweeny, will move down the Saint Lawrence, upon Kingston,
simultaneously with ten thousand men by the lines of the Chambly, and
these will converge upon Montreal; in the meantime isolated
expeditions from the rendezvous at Saint Andrews will reduce Saint
John and Halifax, these furnishing depots for privateers and ocean
men-of-war to intercept British transports and effectually close the
Saint Lawrence. Quebec will thus fall by the slow conquest of time; or,