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Who were the Fenians?
The Fenians were a group of disgruntled Irish patriots living in America. They launched a number of raids against the Canadian border hoping to take it by force and gain the attention of Britain. Their main weapon was the element of surprise. If they were successful, the Fenians then intended to exchange the captured Canadian land, for Irish independence.These five raids cost both sides significant casualties and were ultimately unsuccessful thanks to the timely intervention of government force. -
Growing Fear
Canadians began to fear an invasion as the Fenians became an increasing threat. For preventative measures, they sent Militia to multiple garrison points along the southern border, such as Sarnia, Prescott, Windsor and Niagara. Additionally, spies were instructed to seek out Fenians and learn of their plans. However, some Canadian newspapers dismissed Fenianism as an attempt by certain cunning Irish politicians, to swindle money from their gullible countrymen.
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Preparing for the attack
By March of the following year, over ten thousand Canadian soldiers volunteer to protect the border from an imminent attack. The soldiers return home as an attack does not occur that month (Grodzinski 2018) -
The Preliminary Attack
Led by leader John O'Mahoney, a group of 700 Fenians launched an attack against the small island of Campobello in Nova Scotia. They landed on the shores of Maine, opposite the island. British Royal Navy Warships intimidated the Fenians and they achieved little other than destroying a few structures. Although, they had initially intended to take the island from the British. (Grodzinski 2018) -
Fenian plans fall apart
The Fenians, specifically leader T.W. Sweeney, formed a plan to cut off Canada west from Canada east and prevent British reinforcements from offering aid. The American army seized supplies, arms and arrested many Fenian leaders in New York. Additionally, many Fenians were lacking centralization, ships to transport their men. Meanwhile the Canadian army constantly patrolled the waters, always on the lookout for possible Fenian invaders, the remainder of which had settle in the Fort Erie region. -
The Battle at Ridgeway (west of Fort Erie)
In early June the Fenian's plan was to attack Fort Erie as a diversion, which would draw troops from Toronto, leaving it vulnerable. Led by John O'Neill, 850 Fenian men crossed the Niagara river and established themselves in Fort Erie. Lieutenant Alfred Booker and his Canadian troops, met 600 Fenians at Ridgeway and were initially successful despite a lack of experience. However, due to a tactical error the Fenians were ultimately successful. 9 Canadians were killed and 32 were wounded. -
American involvement
Even before the Battle at Ridgeway, the Americans had been actively preventing Fenian troops from militarizing, taking their weapons and arresting many of their leaders in New York. On June 6th the President issued a Proclamation of Neutrality, commanding the Fenians to give up their plans and stand down.However, a band of Fenians crossed the border the very next day in the Eastern Townships. The Canadian militia were ordered to retreat, as the Fenians looted and raided for two days.(Smith 2006) -
Bloody Battle at Fort Erie
After the Battle at Ridgeway, that same day the Canadian steamship known as the W.T. Robb met with O'Neill's forces and fierce fighting ensued. When more Canadian and British troops arrived, the Fenians were forced back to United States where they were mostly arrested, including their leader O'Neill. Unfortunately 36 Canadians were taken prisoner and 6 were killed. The Fenians lost 9 men and 14 were wounded. This defeat did not stop them from continuous raids later in the week. (Grodzinski 2018) -
American mindset regarding the Fenians
American's had little patience for the Fenians. They were technically Americans citizens who were operating a private, separate American army, continuously attempting to pester Britain by plaguing the Canadian border. The Americans found this very embarrassing, especially since they had only just ended their own feud with England, themselves. President Andrew Johnson's condemnation of the Fenian brotherhood was an attempt to crack down, although Canadians were skeptical. (Little 2018) -
Pigeon Hill Raid
On June 7th, the Fenians advanced to the town of Huntington, just south of Montreal. Fenian leader Samuel Spears, who had previously evaded arrest had led his men to occupy Pigeon Hill. The next day, Canadian forces descended upon the tired, starving and poorly armed Fenians, who quickly surrendered and were marched back to the border to be disarmed by American troops. This was the end of the Fenian raids for the year of 1866, although it was not the end of the Fenians raid entirely.(Grodzinski) -
Canada becomes a nation
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The Fenians attack Quebec, Eccles Hill
Although no large scale raids had been launched by the Fenians for years, Canadian newspapers of the day, captured the evident, persisting fear felt within towns along the border. However, Canada was now a unified nation thanks to confederacy in 1867. The Fenians had been situated in Vermont and on May 27th, John O'Neill led 600 Fenians to Quebec. Canada troops met them at Eccles Hill, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Chamberlain.The Canadian regiments were successful in defeating the Fenians. -
Trout River A second attack on Quebec
On May 27th, 1870, less than 2 days after their previous defeat in Huntington Quebec, led by O'Neill the Fenians made a second attempt, refusing to accept defeat. This time the Canadian forces, combined with the British 69th regiment stopped the Fenians at Trout River. The Fenians were once again defeated as they were simply not as skilled as the Canadians and British forces. Like the raid two days previous, there were no Canadian casualties this time either. (Grodzinski 2018) -
Manitoba, the final raid
Hoping to gain sympathy from the Manitoba Metis, John O'Neill led a small group forty Fenians to capture a trading post in Pembina. However, the United States army quickly intervened and rounded up the Fenians before they could advance further into the province. Although the raid had ended, many militia rushed to Manitoba border, as they were anticipating a second attack as had happened many times before. Luckily, no such attack occurred. (Stanton 2009) -
Result of the Raids
While the Fenians were never terribly successful, it can be argued that their deliberate and consistent attacks along the border did succeed in playing a role in the unification of the provinces against a common enemy, which ultimately result in confederation. The Fenian raids also created a Canadian animosity towards US because many thought there was not enough being done to stop them from their continuous raiding, even after Johnson's proclamation. This animosity was evident through the media.
