Troublous Times in Canada, John A. MacDonald [surface ebook reader TXT] 📗

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Preface.

CHAPTER I.-Unhappy, Ireland Seething in Sedition-The Fenian Brotherhood-Hatching the Plot-The Movement of '65-A Split in the Fenian Camp.

CHAPTER II.-The Fenian Convention at Cincinnati-The Birth of the Irish Republic-"On to Canada"-Gen. Sweeny's Programme.

CHAPTER III.-The First Alarm-Canadian Volunteers Promptly Respond to the Call of Duty-The Campo Bello Fizzle-Fenians Gather on the Border-Operations on the Niagara Frontier.

CHAPTER IV.-The Landing in Canada-Preliminary Operations of the Fenian Forces Near Fort Erie-Advance into the Interior.

CHAPTER V.-The Second Alarm-Grand Uprising of the Canadian People-Departure of Troops for the Front-Gen. Napier's Plan of Campaign-List of the Various Corps Called out for Active Service.

CHAPTER VI.-The Battle of Ridgeway-A Baptism of Fire and Blood for the Canadian Troops-Splendid Coolness and Heroic Courage of the Volunteers at the Beginning of the Fight Ends in Disaster-The Honor Roll-Incidents of the Fight-Public Funerals for the Dead.

CHAPTER VII.-The Expedition on the Steamer "W. T. Robb"-Fierce Fight at Fort Erie-Stiff Resistance of a Gallant Band of Canadians Against a Fenian Force Ten Times Their Number-List of the Wounded and Captured.

CHAPTER VIII.-The Governor-General's Body Guard-Denison's Rapid Ride-Col. Peacocke's Movements from Chippawa to Fort Erie-The Bivouac at Bowen's Farm-Arrival of Col. Lowry's Force at Fort Erie.

CHAPTER IX.-Hurried Evacuation of Canada by Gen. O'Neil-Capture of the Escaping Fenians by the United States Gunboat "Michigan."

CHAPTER X.-The Chicago Volunteers-A Noble Band of Patriots Return Home to Defend Their Native Land-A Striking Example of Canadian Patriotism.

CHAPTER XI.-"Johnny Canuck" Afloat-The Toronto Naval Brigade-Splendid Service on Board the Gunboats-The Beginning of the Canadian Navy-Arrival of British Tars.

CHAPTER XII.-On the St. Lawrence and Eastern Frontiers-Muster of Troops at Kingston, Brockville, Prescott, Cornwall and Other Points.

CHAPTER XIII.-On the Vermont Border-Fenians Gather in Large Numbers-The Fizzle at Pigeon Hill-Arrest of the Fenian General Spier.

CHAPTER XIV.-Fenian Mobilization at Malone, N.Y., and Elsewhere-Gen. Meade's Prompt Action Stops the Invasion-Arrest of Gen. Sweeny and Staff.

CHAPTER XV.-The Fenian Prisoners-Correspondence Between the British and United States Governments Regarding Them.

CHAPTER XVI.-The Canadian Volunteers Receive the Thanks of the Government, and Warm Praise from the General Commanding and Other Officers for Their Patriotic Service in Defending the Country.

CHAPTER XVII.-A Retrospect of Events-A Combination of Unfortunate Circumstances Involve Leading Officers.

CHAPTER XVIII.-Dangers which Existed Previous to Confederation of the Provinces-Proposals of Annexation to the United States-Lessons Learned by the Fenian Raid.


Fenian Raid of 1870

CHAPTER I.-Gen. O'Neil Prepares for Another Raid on Canada-Secret Shipment of Arms to the Frontier.

CHAPTER II.-Another Call to Arms-The Canadian Volunteers Promptly Respond to the Summons.

CHAPTER III.-Fenians Again Invade Canada-A Raid from Vermont Promptly Repulsed by a Handful of Canadians.

CHAPTER IV.-Operations on the Missisquoi Frontier-The Battle of Eccles' Hill-Complete Defeat of the Fenian Army-Arrest of Gen. O'Neil.

CHAPTER. V.-The Canadian Frontier Vigilantly Guarded-Volunteers on Service at Danger Points all Along the Line.

CHAPTER VI.-Fenians Gather en the Huntingdon Border-Skirmish at Trout River-The Enemy Routed by the Canadian Troops.

CHAPTER VII.-The Dawn of Peace-The Volunteers Relieved from Further Service-Thanked by the Dominion Government, Lieutenant-General Commanding, and the Imperial Government-Medals Bestowed and Crown Lands Granted to the Veterans in Recognition of Their Services.


Appendix

CHAPTER I.-Full Report of the Investigation by the Court of Inquiry in Regard to the Conduct of Lieut.-Col. Booker at the Battle of Lime Ridge, Together with the Evidence Submitted and the Finding of the Court.

CHAPTER II.-Report of the Charges Made Against Lieut.-Col. Dennis, Regarding his Conduct During the Fight at Fort Erie, with the Opinion Delivered by the Court of Inquiry who Investigated His Case.


PREFACE.

One of the most dangerous and critical periods in the history of Canada was that which closely followed the termination of the Civil War between the Northern and Southern States of America in the year 1865. It is a strange fact that Canadian authors and historians do not seem to have fully realized the gravity of the situation that then existed, as the event has been passed over by them with the barest possible mention. Thus the people of the present generation know very little of the Fenian troubles of 1866 and 1870, and the great mass of the young Canadian boys and girls who are being educated in our Public Schools and Colleges are in total ignorance of the grave danger which cast dark shadows over this fair and prosperous Dominion in those stormy days. It was a period of great peril to this rising young Nation of the North, which might possibly have ended in the severance of Canada from British dominion. But happily this was prevented by the prompt measures that were taken to defend our soil, and the quick response that was made by the resolute Canadian Volunteers when the bugles sounded the call to assemble for active service on our frontiers.

The fierce conflict which had been waged in the United States of America for four long years between the North and the South was terminated by the subjugation of the latter in the spring of 1865, and the tattered battle flags of the Confederate forces were furled forever. Over a million of men, veteran soldiers of both armies, were still in the field when the Civil War ended, and when these mighty forces were disbanded, hundreds of thousands of trained warriors were thrown upon their own resources, without occupation or employment. While the majority of these soldiers quickly resumed their old business or farming pursuits, yet there remained idle a vast number of turbulent and restless spirits who were ready and willing to embark in any fillibustering expedition that might present itself. These men were all trained and seasoned veterans of both the Union and Confederate armies-soldiers who were inured to the hardships and rigors of many campaigns and fierce battles, and thousands of them readily enrolled themselves under the Fenian banners in anticipation of a war being inaugurated against the British nation, with the invasion of Canada as the first step.

The defence of our extensive Canadian frontier depended mainly upon the volunteer militia force of the scattered Provinces, and to their patriotism and gallantry in springing to arms when their services were needed to defend their native land, may be ascribed the glory of frustrating the attempts of the Fenian invaders to establish themselves on Canadian soil. True, there were some British regular troops on duty in Canada in 1866 around which to rally, and they did their duty nobly, but in the operations on the Niagara frontier especially, it was the Canadian volunteers who bore the brunt of battle, and by their devotion to duty, courage and bravery under hostile fire, succeeded in causing the hasty retirement of the Fenian invaders from our shores, and again, as in days of yore, preserved Canada to the Empire, as one of the brightest jewels in the British Crown.

Having personally seen active service on the Niagara frontier during both of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870, and retaining vivid recollections of the situation of affairs at the front during these two campaigns, I will endeavor in the succeeding chapters of this book to give the reader a faithful account of what occurred on these stirring occasions. I have not relied on memory alone to present these facts, but have corroborated my personal knowledge by reference to official records, and reports of officers, which may be found in the archives of the Militia Department at Ottawa, and the Ontario Bureau of Archives at Toronto.

I have endeavored to fully cover the subject, and put on record the splendid service which our gallant volunteers rendered to their country in 1866 and 1870. Hoping that the reader will find these pages interesting, and at all times be ready to emulate their example,

I am yours faithfully.
JOHN A. MACDONALD.
41 Macdonell Ave., Toronto, May, 1910.


CHAPTER I.

UNHAPPY IRELAND SEETHING IN SEDITION-THE FENIAN BROTHERHOOD-HATCHING THE PLOT-THE MOVEMENT OF '65-A SPLIT IN THE FENIAN CAMP.

Every student of history is aware that for centuries the condition of affairs in Ireland has not been altogether happy, owing largely to the revolutionary schemes which have from time to time been hatched by so-called "patriots" to "free Ireland from the yoke of the oppressor," as they termed it in their appeals to the people to incite rebellion, but more properly speaking to bring about a repeal of the union between Great Britain and Ireland and establish an Irish nation on Irish soil. Many brave but misguided men have been led to their death by joining in such rebellious conspiracies against constitutional government in years gone by, and still the spirit of discontent and hatred of British rule is kept smouldering, with occasional outbursts of revolt as succeeding leaders appear on the scene to inflame the passions of the people.

Of the Irish troubles of earlier years it is not the purpose of the writer to speak, but rather to deal with events which occurred immediately prior to and during the period involving the Fenian invasions of Canada.

For some time previous to the year 1865 the leader of the revolutionary movement in Ireland was James Stephens. He was a man of considerable influence among his compatriots, possessed of good executive ability, and had great capacity for organization along revolutionary lines. Being an energetic worker and a forcible speaker, he quickly enlisted the cooperation of other "patriots" in promoting the establishment of the Fenian Brotherhood, of which he was chosen the "Head Centre" for Ireland. This organization spread with such rapidity throughout Ireland and America that it soon became one of the most dangerous and formidable revolutionary forces ever known in the history of any country. Its members were oath-bound to use every means to bring about the emancipation of Ireland from the rule of Great Britain, and to encompass the downfall of "the bloody Sassenachs" on every hand. After thoroughly planting the seeds of sedition in Ireland, Head Centre Stephens and his coadjutor General John O'Mahony visited America for the purpose of invoking the aid of their compatriots on this side of the Atlantic. Their idea was to make an attempt to emancipate Ireland by striking a blow for freedom on the soil of the Emerald Isle itself, and if successful to establish their cherished Republic firmly, become recognized as a nation by the different nations of the earth, and thereafter govern their own affairs. On their arrival in the United States the Irish envoys received a most enthusiastic welcome from their countrymen, and receptions were arranged in their honor on their visits to all of the principal cities in the Union. The speeches delivered at these gatherings were of the most fervid and enthusiastic nature, and the hopes of the Irish people rose high in the belief that an Irish Parliament would soon hold a session in Dublin. Money and men were asked for from America by Head Centre Stephens, both of which were freely promised "for the sake of the cause." In due course of time the Irish-Americans contributed over $200,000 in cash, besides an immense quantity of war material, towards making the proposed insurrection a success. Volunteers for active service on Irish soil were numerous, and everything looked rosy for Head Centre Stephens when he left America for Ireland to direct "The Movement of '65." But, alas, his high hopes were doomed to be shattered. The initial steps in the campaign had barely been taken when "dark clouds in the horizon" began to loom up. A small vessel, called