US Civil War Veterans Invade Canada – The Fenian Invasion 1866
The story of the Irish Fenian invasion of Canada in 1866.
In 1866, Irish veterans from the US Civil War (supporting the Fenian Brotherhood) tried to invade Canada in an effort to free Ireland from British rule.
It’s a fascinating, forgotten tale, from 19th century history and throws up some heroes, like Irish leader Colonel John O’Neill, and some slightly more dubious characters, like Canadian militia commander Lt. Colonel Alfred Booker.
Whilst the Fenians achieved a victory at the battle of Ridgeway, they simply didn’t have the numbers to make that victory count and eventually retreated back to the USA.
The Fenian invasion (and some associated Fenian raids) accelerated the moves towards forming a united Canada.
The Dominion of Canada was established the following year (1867).
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:34 Fenian Brotherhood
1:15 John O’Mahoney
2:33 Gen. Thomas Sweeny
2:53 Fenian invasion of Canada
4:11 John O’Neill’s invasion
5:30 USS Michigan
6:29 Canadian Response
7:09 Col. Alfred Booker
8:31 Join my Supporter’s Club
9:03 Battle of Ridgeway
11:11 Defeat of Fenian Invasion
13:14 What happened next?
Credit to : The History Chap