Sharp Practice Army list = Fenian Raids

 Fenian raids, series of abortive armed incursions conducted by the Fenians, an Irish-nationalist secret society, from the United States into British Canada in the late 19th century. The unrealized aim of the quixotic raids was to conquer Canada and exchange it with Great Britain for Irish independence. The name of the society derives from the Fianna Éireann, the legendary band of Irish warriors led by the fictional Finn MacCumhaill (MacCool). The society was founded in the United States by John O’Mahony and in Ireland by James Stephens (1858).

Early American movement

The Irish society suffered a blow in 1865 when Britain crushed the Ireland-based independence movement, scattering its leaders. That situation created bad feelings toward Britain among many American Civil War veterans of Irish heritage, and their membership in the Fenian movement quickly grew to about 10,000 men.

Chief among the Fenians’ goals was Irish independence, but they were divided on the question of how that could be achieved. Some advocated staging a massive uprising in Ireland, while others favoured cross-border military action against Canada.

Fenian targeting of Canada

British and Canadian officials took the threat posed by the Fenians seriously and directed that spies originally planted to monitor Confederate sympathizers in the northern United States shift their attention to the Fenians. In November 1865, a small number of militia were called out to garrison points in Canada West, or modern-day Ontario, including Sarnia, Windsor, Niagara, and Prescott.

By March 1866, it had become evident that the Fenians were going to act against Canada, resulting in the calling up of 10,000—later increased to 14,000—Canadian volunteers for active duty. Nothing happened immediately, however, and the volunteers were sent home. Then, in April, the Fenians staged a raid against Campobello Island in New Brunswick, achieving nothing other than the destruction of a few buildings.

In May 1866, further evidence revealed another potential attack against Canada. The Fenians had ambitious plans to strike at several points in Canada West and Canada East, or modern-day Quebec. Twenty-thousand Canadian volunteers were quickly mobilized, while 13 small steamboats were commandeered and, under the guidance of the Royal Navy, patrolled the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Fortunately for Canada, the Fenian plans fell apart, as fewer men than expected chose to join the forces concentrating at Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, and other locations. Fenian leaders were also unable to requisition the ships needed to transport their forces. American officials, uneasy about the invasion’s potential effect on Anglo-American relations, also intervened, arresting some of the would-be conquerors. With their plan in tatters, the remaining Fenians settled upon crossing the Niagara River from Buffalo to Fort Erie in Canada West.