Fenian Invasion Part 4

We know who the Fenians were. What should we do? Writers Note: We were not a nation yet in 1865 but we were not going to sit around and let the Fenians do as they pleased. In the weeks and months that followed the end of the Civil War we sent spies ( I’ll call them Canadians) to many northern American cities. The reports that came back were disturbing, There were increased Fenian activities in the winter of 1865-66. The spies heard again of grandiose schemes to attack Canada from Detroit and Rochester and take Upper Canada (Ontario). In Lower Canada (Quebec) armies would attack from Ogdensburg, Plattsburg and Portland and take Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec. The Fenian military strategy in both cases was to attack in s ‘pincers” movements.
Writer’s note: Lest we underestimate the Fenians remember they were mainly tried and hardened Civil War veterans. They had Spencer repeating rifles and superior equipment. We had not fought a war since 1812-14. We still used the old muzzle loading musket - the “Brown Bess” Once a year or so we would have a gathering of local militias. It appeared that the Canadian colonies would be no match for trained Civil War army veterans.
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History often repeats itself. I believe that the Fenian leaders followed the same mind-set as other American invaders - that Canada was for the taking. “Blarney” is defined as smooth deceitful talk. I believe that the Fenians knew that to realize their dream of a new Irish Republic in North America they had to use the “Blarney” approach. Their method was to create in the minds of their “would-be” followers that such a grand scheme of theirs was possible. Using “blarney and more “blarney” would be their ploy.
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The Fenian dream included this recorded statement” The Green flag will scour the bays and gulfs in Canada. A Fenian fleet from San Francisco will carry Vancouver and the Fraser River country.” Think big was the Fenian Brotherhood plans for Canada. What was reality? Again according to their documents of their war department (I.R.A.) we read, “ The Canadian and provincial borders once crossed bases of operation will be established in the enemy’s country so that the international quarrels with Washington may be avoided.” How? More “blarney” from the would-be invaders.
Next: The Invasion Plan