Status Updates From Troublous Times In Canada: ...

I finished The Fenian Raid of 1868 and have read the first four chapters of The Fenian Raid of 1870. My eyes are sleepy, so must stop reading for the night.

The Fenian Raid cost Canada precious lives and great expenditure. It demonstrated that Canadians were loyal and patriotic and were true to their flag and the freedom it symbolized. Canadians were capable of protecting themselves, and were ready at all times to do their duty to defend their native land. It taught them "a lesson in self-reliance.

John A. MacDonald writes about the role the Neutrality Act between the United States and Canada played. Many Fenians were stopped and their ammunition and weapons were confiscated by American officials watching the border between the two countries. The head of States did not want the Fenians and their actions to drawn draw America into a war against Canada.

Many of the Fenians plundered the area on their retreat from Canada, taking with them shoes, hats,new suits of clothes, and anything of value that they could carry from the homes they pilfered. They stole several horses.

The author lists the men who fought, the dead, and the wounded. Several doctors were named that doctored the wounded for both sides. Prisoners of war were treated properly by each side - Canadian and Fenian. It is reported that the Canadian volunteers fought bravely even though they were vastly outnumbered. I am fascinated by this story and was surprised to see a "Dr. Downie" mentioned.

This is a factual writing by John A. MacDonald of the Fenian Wars of 1866 and 1870. He lists the various Corps called out for Active Service. I find it interesting to read the various place names, as most of them are places that I have visited.