ts started across the river. The troops consisted of one brigade
of the Irish Republican Army, under command of Gen. John O'Neil, a
veteran soldier who had seen much active service and hard fighting in
the American Civil War. This brigade was composed of the 13th Regiment
(Col. O'Neill), from Tennessee; 17th Regiment (Col. Owen Starr), from
Kentucky; 18th Regiment (Lieut.-Col. John Grace), from Ohio; the 7th
Regiment (Col. John Hoye), from Buffalo, N.Y., and a detachment of
troops from Indiana. The whole number was estimated to be about 1,500
men, who were principally veteran soldiers of the Northern and Southern
armies.

This was the "forlorn hope" who were expected to make the first landing
and hold the country until sufficient reinforcements could be rushed
across the border to enable them to make a success of the campaign.
Buffalo was full of Fenians and their sympathizers at that time, and
thousands were coming into the city every day to take part in the
invasion.

It was an opportune time for such a movement, as the popular feeling
of the American people was not altogether amicable or friendly to the
British nation, and it was the hope of the promoters of the raid that
something might occur which would give them the countenance and support
of the United States. It is a well-known fact that under the political
system of America the Irish vote is a dominant factor in elections, and
all classes of citizens who aspire to public office are more or less
controlled by that element. Consequently the vigilance of many of
Uncle Sam's officials was relaxed, and they winked the other eye as the
invaders marched towards Canada, instead of endeavoring to stop them
from committing a breach of the law of nations in regard to neutrality.

It was asserted in the public press of the United States and proclaimed
by the Fenians themselves at that time, that Andrew Johnson (who was
then President of the United States) and Secretary of State Seward
openly encouraged the invasion for the purpose of turning it to
political account in the settlement of the Alabama Claims with Great
Britain. In view of the fact that he held back the issuance of his
proclamation forbidding a breach of the Neutrality Act for _five
full days after_ the Raid had been made, there was manifestly some
understanding between President Johnson and the Fenian leaders, as the
American authorities were perfectly cognizant of what was intended long
before Gen. O'Neil