Fenian raid info???

oldiron

oldiron

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Just wondering how or where to find info on a relate of my Bride. Possibly involved in the Fenian raids along the way. He was Sarg. Major in #1 Company, in 1869. That's about all I have on him. (and a pic).. Henry Arthur Mannix. Thanks for any leads.
 
The Fenian raids were really a comedy as far as military history goes. The Fenians were a group of Irish immigrants who held such a bitter hatred(with good reason) for the British that they figured an invasion of Canada would be well received by Canadians. I have read several accounts of the circus that ensued before the U.S. Army herded them back from the border. At one point in an attack on British soil things were proceeding well until the attacking Fenians came across a tavern on their route. The attack faltered in the face of negligible opposition from the British owing to the Fenians stopping to have a few drinks at the tavern.
 
I have a great grand uncle that was with the Victoria Volunteer Rifles, and involved in the defense of the realm, during the 1866 rising, per the medal he received. I have the Medal. Pte J. Brady, 3rd VVR.

Worth noting, the medals for this, were presented if applied for, some years after the events.

Cheers
Trev
 
Part of the battle of Ridgeway took place on my great (x2) grandfathers farm.

Picture below was copied from the Niagara Falls public library. Titled; No. 1 Company Niagara Volunteers, Fenian Raids in Fort Erie

89750-501967.jpg
 
There were several other raids other than Ridgeway, the raid on Pidgeon Hill in Quebec in 1866 was successful for a few days. The local Militia was defeated by the Fenians and they occupied the town for a while. They were chased back by to the USA when a large force from Montreal showed up. The raid on Eccles Hill in 1870 just down the road from Pidgeon Hill was a disaster for the Fenians, this time the local Militia was ready and they were chased back to the USA in short order.
 
Mike Webb said:
The Fenian raids were really a comedy as far as military history goes. The Fenians were a group of Irish immigrants who held such a bitter hatred(with good reason) for the British that they figured an invasion of Canada would be well received by Canadians. I have read several accounts of the circus that ensued before the U.S. Army herded them back from the border. At one point in an attack on British soil things were proceeding well until the attacking Fenians came across a tavern on their route. The attack faltered in the face of negligible opposition from the British owing to the Fenians stopping to have a few drinks at the tavern.
Click to expand...


^^^^^LOOOOOOOOOOOL^^^^^^ I enjoyed this story much more. Would be an interesting movie if it followed this plot.
 
arnold ziffel said:
Part of the battle of Ridgeway took place on my great (x2) grandfathers farm.

Picture below was copied from the Niagara Falls public library. Titled; No. 1 Company Niagara Volunteers, Fenian Raids in Fort Erie

89750-501967.jpg
Click to expand...


This is Henry Mannix in an earlier picture. He could pass as the soldier sitting on the bar counter.
 
I have the glass plate negative of my Great Grandfather from the 41st Brockville Battalion of Rifles standing with his P53 Enfield with bayonet. There are very few records from what I was told of Canadian Militia records from that period. Born 1843 in Dorset England he was about 22 when the photo was taken. Buried in Ottawa.
 
Mike Webb said:
The Fenian raids were really a comedy as far as military history goes. The Fenians were a group of Irish immigrants who held such a bitter hatred(with good reason) for the British that they figured an invasion of Canada would be well received by Canadians. I have read several accounts of the circus that ensued before the U.S. Army herded them back from the border. At one point in an attack on British soil things were proceeding well until the attacking Fenians came across a tavern on their route. The attack faltered in the face of negligible opposition from the British owing to the Fenians stopping to have a few drinks at the tavern.
Click to expand...

This is actually fact lol
 
Mike Webb said:
The Fenian raids were really a comedy as far as military history goes. The Fenians were a group of Irish immigrants who held such a bitter hatred(with good reason) for the British that they figured an invasion of Canada would be well received by Canadians. I have read several accounts of the circus that ensued before the U.S. Army herded them back from the border. At one point in an attack on British soil things were proceeding well until the attacking Fenians came across a tavern on their route. The attack faltered in the face of negligible opposition from the British owing to the Fenians stopping to have a few drinks at the tavern.
Click to expand...

There was nothing comical about the Fenians who were deadly serious and had the tacit support of the US govt which was in a lawsuit against Britain for damages caused by CSA commerce raiders which had been built, armed, outfitted in Britain and largely crewed by British and colonial seamen.
The story about the Fenians and the tavern has been around a long time and is unfounded.
The above mentioned book "The Last Invasion of Canada" Senior and the more recent "Ridgeway" Vronsky are well worth reading to get a true idea of the situation.
We can be grateful to the Fenians for forcing the Canadian and British govts to purchase arms which are now collectors items.
 
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