The History of Peterborough Area Militia and Fenian Raids
Includes:
Final Report
By
Creighton Avery
Completed for: Lang Pioneer Village
Supervising Professor: Dimitry Anastakis
Trent Centre for Community-Based Education
Department: Canadian Studies
Course Code: CAST 4810Y
Course Name: Community-Based Research Project
Term: Fall/Winter
Date of Project Submission: April 2013
Project ID: 4131
Call Number:
A History of Peterborough Area Militia and Fenian Raids |1
The History of
Peterborough
Area Militia
and Fenian
Raids
By Creighton Avery
Canadian Studies, Trent
University
April 2013
A History of Peterborough Area Militia and Fenian Raids |2
Table of Contents
Introduction
My Research Journey
The Project Description
The Road Map: Methodological Outline
Section A: Timeline
Section B: Militia
Section C: Participants
Section D: Response
Section E: Drill Instructions
Section F: Songs
2
3
6
7
9
12
13
15
16
Concluding Remarks
18
Appendices
Appendix A.1: Timeline of the Fenian Raids
Appendix A.2: Proclamation 155 by President Andrew Johnson
Appendix B.1: Peterborough Veterans of 1866
Appendix C.1: List of Volunteers for the Peterborough County Militia
Appendix C.2: Notable Individual from Peterborough County Militia
Appendix C.3: Fenian Men
Appendix C.4: Fenian Men of Note
Appendix C.5: Image of Militia Men and Women
Appendix D.1: Transcriptions of Selected Newspaper Articles
Appendix F.1: The Fenian Song
Appendix F.2: The Anti-Fenian Song
Appendix F.3: The Maple Leaf Forever
References
20
23
25
26
33
40
41
44
45
48
49
51
53
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Introduction
My Research Journey into the Peterborough Militia and Fenian Raids
Going into my fourth year at Trent University, I had never heard of the Trent Centre for
Community Based Education (TCCBE). I was having difficulties picking courses that really interested me
when a friend suggested I check it out online. Getting on the website, I had an immediate interest
working with the Lang Pioneer Village researching the involvement of the Peterborough Militia during
the Fenian Raids. As an Irish Catholic myself, I had heard of the Fenians many times, and may even have
my own connections to Patrick James Whelan, the suspected murderer of Thomas D’Arcy McGee.
I’m not entirely sure what my initial preconceptions were about completing a project with
TCCBE. I know I was drawn to the marketability of this unique learning experience, and being able to
create relationships with community workers, and community organizations, but it’s gone much further
than this. As an Archaeology Major at Trent, I have learned the value of archives and how this can
supplement archaeological investigations. I have since used this approach to other classes I am taking,
and look forward to applying these skills in the future as well. Through various other aspects of this
course for Trent, I have learned more about how we interpret and present history, and the possible
issues this may cause. This, again, is information I can take with me as I work towards a Masters degree,
or work in various community organizations.
This research journey- and personal journey- would not have been possible without the help of
many people at the Trent Centre, Lang Pioneer Village, and Trent University. While I want to
acknowledge those institutions and organizations, I also want to recognize a number of individuals. First
I want to thank Andy Cragg from the Trent Centre, for introducing me to the program, and this
incredible opportunity. While I was very uncertain at the beginning of this process, you quickly settled
my nerves, and I have not regretted my decision to work with the Trent Centre ever since. I also want to
thank the rest of the staff at the Trent Centre for your support, and help to make this project a
pleasurable and educational journey.
From Trent University I want to thank Dimitry Anastakis for being my course supervisor and
encouraging me to think critically about what I was doing and how re-enactment can be seen in the
much bigger picture. You were a great help at finding resources and certainly made sure my goals were
attainable and achievable. From Lang Pioneer Village, it was really two people whose vision and passion
started this program, and drove it to what it is today. This includes Joe Corrigan, whose interest and
knowledge of the Fenians in Canada I believe is unparalleled, and Laurie Siblock whose enthusiasm and
welcoming nature constantly made me excited for the work I was to do (and the baked goods didn’t hurt
either).
There are also other countless people who have not been recognized by name, but helped me
along the process, by either teaching me how to use microfilms, assisting my research, and so much
more.
A History of Peterborough Area Militia and Fenian Raids |4
The Project Description: #4131 History of Peterborough Area Militia and
Fenian Raids
Organization Information
Lang Pioneer Village was established by the County of Peterborough in 1967 to celebrate and
preserve the rural history of the area. During the last 46 years, it has become one of the major cultural
heritage attractions in central Ontario hosting an average of 20,000 visitors per season. In addition to its
tourist season, which runs from mid-June to mid-September, they host spring and fall education
programs, adult workshops, weddings and several special events throughout the year.
Its operations have an annual economic impact on the greater Peterborough area of $3.5
million. The organization’s vision is “to provide each and every visitor with a living history experience of
exceptional quality”. Its mission is “to preserve, promote and authentically recreate the rural history of
Peterborough County”. Finally, the Lang’s mandate is “to be a vibrant living history museum that
engages our community and actively preserves our cultural heritage in order to provide an interactive
and educational visitor experience”.
Project Information
Lang Pioneer Village has been developing its annual July 1st Historic Dominion Day event over the
past four years in an effort to draw more visitors. In 2007, it was decided to place an emphasis on the
political history of Canada to differentiate its festivities from the parades, festivals and fireworks
displays that generally take place on Canada Day. Lang has a unique opportunity to provide a livinghistory interpretation of life at the time of Confederation in 1867. This process started with the reading
of the BNA Act Proclamation by an interpreter playing the part of our first Prime Minister, Sir John A.
Macdonald.
In 2009, this was enhanced with the reading of some of Sir John A.’s speeches and by having an
interpretive exhibit on the Fenian raids (a major factor in the move towards Confederation by the British
North American colonies) along with three re-enactors dressed as Fenians present in the Village and reenactors representing Canadian Militia. The ceremonies ended with a brief skirmish in which the three
Fenians were driven off by members of the Canadian Militia.
In 2010 the re-enactment increased in scope and authenticity. In addition to the three Fenian
uniforms the Village created in 2009, three 1870’s vintage Canadian Militia uniforms were acquired.
There were 20 to 25 re-enactors who took part in skirmishes throughout the day culminating in a 10 to
15 minute recreation of the 1870 Battle of Eccles Hill. Sir John’s interpretation was stretched to a 30
minute presentation chronicling the series of events leading up to Confederation and the program
included musical groups playing and singing the patriotic songs of the era. A rare portrait of the Fathers
of Confederation was restored and placed on display for the event as well. Attendance at this event has
increased steadily over the past four years from around 100 in 2007 to close to 300 in 2010. This past
year, at the 2012 Historic Dominion Day, the event drew in around 500 people, which reflects the
growing popularity and development of the program over the years. They would like to see this trend
continue.
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In keeping with the Lang’s mission to preserve, promote and authentically recreate the rural
history of Peterborough County, they would like to find out more about the participation of the
Peterborough Region’s militia companies in the Fenian Raids of 1866 through 1870. This would add to
the quality of the interpretation of the event as those interpreters representing the militia troops on the
day would be able to provide visitors with a greater understanding of how the Fenian Raids affected the
local population.
The purpose of the student project is to document the historical connection of the
Peterborough area militia units to the Fenian Raids of 1866 to 1870. They would like to include this story
as part of our annual Historic Dominion Day special event interpretation and other education
programming.
Lang Pioneer Village will provide the student with background information as to the context of
the Fenian Raids. The student will be conducting research that will expand on this base of knowledge
and, using primary sources (local newspapers, firsthand accounts, contemporary documents, military
records), highlight the involvement of local units and individuals who participated in the defense of
Canada during the Fenian Raids. They have set up an exhibit profiling John Beatty who was a member of
the Millbrook Militia Company and who was awarded a medal for his participation in the 1866 raids.
Further research of that nature is required.
We would like the research to include:
 A historical timeline of the raids
 A list of the local militia companies which existed in Peterborough County in the 1860’s & 70’s
 A summary of the deployment of local militia groups during 1866 and 1870
 Identification of individual participation in the raids by local citizens and people of note, if
possible
 Response of Peterborough Irish community to the Fenian invaders
 Identification of specific drill instructions for 1860’s to 1870’s Canadian Militia
Benefit to the Host Organization and the Community
 The benefit will be that Lang’s staff will have a greater knowledge of the local involvement in the
Fenian Raids and the reaction of the citizens of Irish decent to this perceived “terrorist” threat
to Canada. It will enhance the quality of our interpretation for the Historic Dominion Day event.
It will also help us to educate and entertain a growing audience in future years growing the
Museum’s annual visitor volumes and revenues. Knowledge of this aspect of our local history
offers us the opportunity to stage other related events and educational programs in the future.
 The community will gain an understanding of a little known but important aspect of Canadian
political history through the process of participating in the Historic Dominion Day event. School
programs focusing on this element of Canadian history could be developed providing a broader
base of students with a deeper understanding of their country’s origins.
What Students Might Learn
 A heightened awareness of the political, military and social history of 19th-Century Canada
A History of Peterborough Area Militia and Fenian Raids |6
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A greater awareness of the history of Peterborough County
Research skills and a better understanding of primary source documentation
Exposure to working with one of the region’s largest living history museums
Screening or Training Requirements
 Police records check may be required if the student is based at the Museum
 Confidentiality agreement
Skills or Experience Needed
 Familiarity with the importance of local history education
 Working independently
 Working consultatively
 Conversation skills
 Writing skills
 Spreadsheet and mapping skills would be assets
Resources Required for Project that will be provided by Host
 Photocopying, office supplies, long distance telephone charges, audio/video tapes, some
transportation costs (up to $500 value in cash & in kind)
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The Road Map: Methodological Outline
For this project, I first had to sit down and examine what my research objectives were: what did
they want from me? What would help further Lang Pioneer’s Village Dominion Day events? What could I
research? After I identified six areas, I started working.
Starting my research, I was initially lost. As an archaeology student at Trent University, I had
never used archives or many historical records at all, so there was a slight learning curve as I learned
how to research using unfamiliar methods and unfamiliar machines. However, I soon learned that I
loved the archives; I could spend hours in them and only felt as though minutes had passed. I am very
glad I got to experience these troves of knowledge, and learn from the staff at them. I can only hope
that more students in the future learn from the archives, to further their own research and personal
development.
In trying to determine a scope for this product, I quickly realized that I would have to set a limit,
or I would still be researching today. Right away it became clear to me what I was most interested in:
the people. I found it easy to find information about people, the men who signed up as volunteers for
the militia, and the way people wrote about the Fenian Raids in newspapers, and more. When I started
with Lang Pioneer Village, they hoped to identify a few people who had participated in the Fenian Raids,
“if possible.” Shortly after beginning my research, I had identified the names of over 200 individuals
from the Peterborough County, and started to see what else I could learn about these names to make
them people.
What I found most difficult was basics about the militia itself: what drills did they run, when did
the militia form, and so on. I think this can be seen in my research as well. I first had to teach myself
about modern military drills and formations to understand even what to search for past militia groups.
Thankfully, there is a lot more written about these, and those with a more detailed knowledge can
hopefully expand on what I’ve introduced here.
As time began to run out, I realized I wouldn’t be able to research everything. It would seem
that as soon as I thought I had everything, I would find one more piece that would open an entire
avenue of research I hadn’t considered. For this reason, I introduced a “for future research” section.
Understanding that, while I cannot explore everything, perhaps one day others will; and this document,
as well as sources for future reading, will provide them a starting point for their own research.
It is my hope that many people will be impacted by this document, and that it can help expand
many areas of education programming at Lang Pioneer Village. This includes the annual re-enactments
of the Fenian Raids and Dominion Day celebrations, as well as an exhibit or school tours. I also hope that
these materials become accessible for re-enactors, visitors, and other students wanting to explore both
local history, as well as the Fenian Raids. I look forward to seeing the re-enactments at Lang Pioneer
Village, and continuing the relationship I’ve built with the incredible people at this community
organization.
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Section A: Timeline
The history of the Fenian Raids can be traced back to 1798, almost a hundred years prior to the
actual raids in Canada. It was at this time that the Fenian Movement became established in Ireland,
opposing English rule, and working to free Ireland from the monarchy. Sixty years later, John O’Mahony
established the Fenian Brotherhood within the United States of America, which would support
endeavours within Ireland from North America.
The Fenians were not a secret organization, and held many public conventions to increase
membership and develop a strategy to gain Ireland’s freedom. These conventions were held in Chicago,
Cincinnati, and Philadelphia; and even included a number of Canadians from Montreal, Quebec City,
Toronto, Hamilton and Goderich. In 1865, the Brotherhood split after they could not agree on tactics,
into two branches. The more militant group, led by William R. Roberts, proposed an invasion of British
North America, with the intent of holding the people and the land hostage until England released Ireland
from its hold. After this, membership of the Fenian Brotherhood soared to over 20,000 men throughout
the United States and Canada.
The rise of this militant group of the Fenian Brotherhood may be seen as a direct result of the
Civil War in the United States (1861-1865). There were hundreds of thousands of Irish people living in
the United States at this time, many of whom joined the Northern and Southern Armies during the Civil
War. Many of these Irishmen also happened to be Fenians, and received proper training in the militia to
become a fighting force. At the end of the Civil War, the Government of the United States of America
allowed all soldiers to keep their rifles, as part of their payment once they were discharged. This event
created a number of well trained- and now well-armed militants who were ready and willing to fight for
the liberation of Ireland.
Still operating as a branch of the Irish Republic Brotherhood in Ireland, Thomas Sweeny (Fenian
Secretary of War) received approval from Ireland to attack British North America. While the attack did
not come immediately, it did heighten tensions along the border and throughout Upper and Lower
Canada.
In some ways, the Fenian Raids can be characterized more by the anticipation and fear of the
raids, instead of the physical raids themselves. This could not be clearer than on March 17th, 1866: St.
Patrick’s Day. After rumours spread that the Fenians were planning at attack on this day, John A.
Macdonald (future Prime Minister of Canada), telegraphed Colonel Patrick MacDougall (Assistant
Adjutant-General of the Militia) ordering him to call out 10,000 men to volunteer for the militia. He
stated that, “they must be out in 24 hours and for 3 weeks and whatever further time may be required”.
After the streets of Toronto and other major cities were lined with a volunteer militia, the day went by
without any incidence and was described as “characteristically un-Irish.” There were also many fears and
concerns which the media helped to perpetuate including raising questions of who was a Fenian within
Canada, how many Fenians might be in Canada, and when and where the Fenians might attack. This all
helped to increase tension and anxiety along the US-Canada border for a number of years.
A History of Peterborough Area Militia and Fenian Raids |9
Less than a month later after the uneventful St. Patrick’s Day, a group of 700 Fenians massed at
Eastport, Maine under the command of Bernard Doran Killian, with the intent of invading Campobello
Island, New Brunswick. However, due to poor planning, the men arrived in Maine weeks before their
arms and munitions arrived, arousing suspicion as to what their intent was. Suspecting an invasion,
British Commander Charles Hastings Doyle responded to their presence by gathering British troops and
Royal Navy warships, and sailing to Passamaquoddy Bay, where the Fenian force was largely
concentrated. Under threat of a much larger battle than they expected, the Fenians began to disperse
from the boarder, without ever fighting the British militia. While this event was not successful for the
Fenians, it is seen as one of the major factors which encouraged New Brunswick to join Confederation,
understanding that as a united country, the province could utilize and depend on the Canadian Militia to
defend them, instead of being on their own to fight Fenians and other invaders.
The next invasion, the Battle of Ridgeway, occurred just over a month later, on June 1st, 1866,
along the Niagara Peninsula. This was the most extensive and organized Fenian attack on British North
America, and the most successful. For weeks prior to the raid, Fenians were gathering in Buffalo to
prepare for the raid. With nearly 1000 Fenians, led by General John O’Neill (former Union cavalry
commander), the Fenian forces arrived in Canada without any army waiting for them, and set out to try
and convince local Canadians to join their cause.
The Canadian Government issued a proclamation, stating that “the soil of Canada has been
invaded… by a lawless and piratical band” and called for 14,000 volunteers to meet the Fenian invaders.
In response, more than 20,000 men volunteered their services, and result that emphasized the support
these men had for their land and their Queen. However, as these men were coming from all across
Upper and Lower Canada, they could not make it to the front immediately, but needed a day or two to
travel to Niagara and receive basic training. Understanding that this delay was inevitable, LieutenantColonel Alfred Booker, Commanding Officer of the 13th Battalion from Hamilton, gathered 850 Canadian
troops from the local area to meet them at Fort Erie, including members of the Queen’s Own Rifles from
Toronto. On June 2nd the two sides met and began their battle, however, due to confusion and poor
tactics on both sides, the Canadian militia was outflanked, and withdrew, giving the Fenians the victory.1
By the end of the battle, the Canadian militia sustained nine dead and 37 wounded (including three
University of Toronto students), while the Fenian numbered at six dead, and an unknown number of
wounded soldiers.
The following day, knowing that more reinforcements were on their way, General O’Neill of the
Fenian militia ordered the retreat of the Fenians, and they returned to Buffalo. On the other side of the
border, the United States government was ready to greet the Fenians, and confiscated their arms but
did not charge or imprison them. Even though they had retreated from British North America, and had
their weapons seized, they received a hero’s welcome from the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish
Republican Army in Ireland, as this was seen as the first Irish military victory in nearly two centuries.
1
Detailed descriptions with drawings of formations and maneuvers can be found in John A. MacDonald’s
Troublous Times in Canada, full citation in the references section at the end of this product.
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While there were no more major raids for almost four years, the Fenians stayed active with
more conferences and conventions in the United States and large support in both the US and British
North America. On March 17, 1867, it was clear that Fenianism was not dead, as St. Patrick’s Day
celebrations were “decidedly Fenian in Character” and heightened tensions once again.
The last major raid was the Battle of Eccles Hill in 1870, which is seen by some as the end of the
Fenian attacks on Canada. After gathering 500 men in Vermont, the Fenians crossed the border south of
Montreal; but things were very different from the Battle of Ridgeway. Most notably, the Canadian
militia had had four years to train and prepare for this, meaning their force was much more coordinated
and organized than they had been at the Battle of Ridgeway. After a short battle, the Fenians retreated
back to Vermont, where US authorities seized weapons once again, and let them go, with the exception
of General O’Neill, who was sentenced to a six month prison term for violation of American Neutrality
Laws (Appendix A.2). This defeat caused a decline in the support for the Fenians, and they began to lose
their momentum and enthusiasm in the campaign.
The following year, General O’Neill led an unsanctioned raid in Manitoba as part of the Pembina
Raid. Working with exiled members of the Red River Rebellion, they took possession of the HBC Trading
Post, but quickly retreated back to the United States. After this, the Fenians were essentially politically
dead, financially bankrupt, and militarily non-existent, and in 1880, the Fenian Brotherhood voted to
disband their organization and militant endeavours.
In 1899, the survivors of the Fenian Raids and the Red River Rebellion were formally recognized
by Queen Victoria, and those who applied for a medal received a General Service Medal for the loyalty
and patriotism they displayed in assisting to defend their country and flag. This was the first medal
create specifically for Canada, recognizing the important events which helped form Canada as a country,
loyal to the Queen above all else.
For the general public, the Fenian Raids inspired fear, but also patriotism for British North
America. This feeling would help establish Confederation, which prior to the raids, was not a popular
idea. However, all along the border, from New Brunswick to Ontario, there was a feeling of Canada, and
connectedness that brought them all together.
A more complete breakdown of the events, including dates and names of key individuals can be
found in Appendix A.1.
Section B: Militia
The earliest record of an organized military presence in Peterborough County dates back to
1837, when a number of individuals marched to York (Toronto) to help subdue the MacKenzie Rebellion.
In the years that followed, battalions quickly formed in Otonabee, Douro, Asphodel, Smith, and North
Monaghan.
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On April 2, 1857, the First Volunteer Militia Rifle Company of Peterborough was authorized under
the command of Captain W. A. Scott, and only five years later, Captain Edwin Poole reported that the
company was almost filled (June 19, 1862). To accommodate this, Peterborough Infantry Company No. 2
was recognized (June 8, 1862) under the Honourable S. Smith. Over the following year, three more
companies were formed including:
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1st Volunteer Militia Company of Infantry at Peterborough (Captain John Kennedy)
The Volunteer Militia Rifle Company at Lakefield (Captain Vizzards/Captain Leigh)
The Volunteer Militia Company of Infantry at Ashburnham (Captain Robert D. Rogers)
In 1866, the men in Peterborough County militia companies were quick to respond to the Fenian
threat, and while many were deployed, few saw any “real action.” Ashburnham and Lakefield companies
moved to Cobourg in the spring of 1866, but returned 13 days later without seeing any military action.
On June 2, 1866, General Orders, No.2 were issued stating that “The Governor-General and
Commander-in-Chief has been pleased to call out for active service the following corps in addition to
those called out by General Order No.1 of yesterday’s date” (MacDonald 1910: 35-36). This included a
number of local militia groups including the Bobcaygeon Infantry Company, The Peterboro Infantry
Company, Stirling Infantry Company, Napanee Garrison Artillery, and Port Hope Garrison Artillery.
The very next day, “…all the local companies were mustered. They took a train to Cobourg and then
hurried to Toronto. They arrived in time to receive the causalities from the battle at Ridgeway.”
According to Capt. John A. MacDonald in his account in Troublous Times (1910: 87), they arrived in
Toronto on June 5th, along with many other local militia groups including:
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Cobourg Cavalry (Col. Boulton): 40 men and 40 horses
Cobourg Batters (Capt. Dumble): 46 men
Ashburnham Infantry (Capt. Rogers): 32 men
Peterboro Infantry (Capt. Kennedy): 50 men
Campbellford Infantry (Capt. Lin): 40 men
Lakefield Infantry (Capt. Leigh): 31 men
Cobourg Infantry (Capt. Elliott): 45 men
Peterboro Rifles (Capt. Poole): 44 men
Cobourg Rifles (Capt. Smith): 47 men
Bowmanville Rifles (Lieut-Col. Cubitt): 40 men
Port Hope Rifles (Capt. Williams): 42 men
And several other companies which arrived later.
Local records state that after finding no battle for them to participate in, “they then went through
Cobourg with the intention of proceeding to Prescott but went to Kingston instead. They returned home
from Kingston on the 19th of June”. According to records taken by Major Pryde, these companies
included:
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Peterborough Rifle Company
Peterborough Light Infantry Company No. 1
Ashburnham Light Infantry
Lakefield Company
Even though they hadn’t seen any military action, interest in the militia spiked, and five more
companies were formed including infantries at Millbrook, Norwood, Hastings, and Springville, as well as
an Independent Company of Peterborough under Colonel Fred W. Haultain.
A year later, on May 3, 1867, Peterborough produced “one of Canada’s finest militia units” as the
local companies were amalgamated into the newly formed 57th Battalion under Colonel Edwin Poole.
Men from this battalion would go on to participate in the Red River Rebellion, and many other military
endeavours. In the same year, it was ordered that a Drill Shed was built in Peterborough and funds were
collected for this undertaking.
No. 1 Company
No. 2 Company
No. 3 Company
No. 4 Company
No. 5 Company
No. 6 Company
No. 7 Company
Companies Amalgamated into 57th Battalion (1867)
Peterborough Rifle Company
H.C. Rogers
Lakefield Infantry Company
1ST Peterborough Light Infantry Company
John Kennedy
Ashburnham Light Infantry Company
J.Z. Rogers
nd
2 Peterborough Light Infantry Company
Norwood Infantry Company
Grover
Hastings Infantry Company
33 Men
48 Men
40 Men
32 Men
38 Men
36 Men
The Regiment’s command structure was as follows:
Lt.-Col. Edwin Poole (Officer Commanding)
Major John Kennedy
Major Edward Leigh
J. W. Dunnett (Paymaster)
Adjutant W. N. Kennedy (Drillmaster)
Sergeant Alexander Morrow (Quartermaster)
Dr. Robert Kincaid (Surgeon)
In 1875, the Third Cavalry Regiment of the Prince of Wales Royal Canadian Dragoon Guards
Company received designated approval, and formed out of the Northumberland Troop of Horse
Dragoons (established in 1833).
In 1899, a number of individuals from Peterborough County were recognized by the Queen for their
contribution and service during the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870, as well as the Red River Rebellion. A
few of these participants were also recognized in the Peterborough Examiner and this image can be
found in Appendix B.1.
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Section C: Participants
Through a number of sources (primary documents, National Archives of Canada’s medal registry,
and much more) 203 participants of the Fenian Raids have been identified from the Peterborough
County (Appendix C.1). This includes people from Peterborough, Lakefield, Cobourg, Port Hope and
more, but may only provide a snapshot of those who volunteered their time and services to help repel
the Fenian invaders.
A large number of these individuals received medals for their service, but not all. The Canadian
government awarded the Fenian Raids service medals to members of the Imperial and Canadian forces
who had taken part in the suppression of the Fenian Raids and Red River Rebellion. The medal was
authorized in 1899, 29 years after the last event it commemorated. There were 16,668 medals awarded
with 15,330 going to Canadians. Because the medal was not issued until 1899, it was awarded only if
applied for, and the recipient must have been on active service in the field, served as guard at any point
where an attack from the enemy was expected or had been detailed for some specific service or duty.
On the medals, the recipient’s name, service number, rank and unit were indented, impressed or
engraved on the rim. The obverse side of the circular, silver medal shows a veiled effigy of Queen
Victoria while the reverse side shows the red ensign of Canada, floating with the breeze, surrounded by
a wreath of maple leaves and surmounted by the word Canada.
Within this list of identified Peterborough participants, there are a number of notable people worth
further research. Some of this research has been completed, but it is certainly not exhaustive research.
These notable individuals are listed below. Further information about these selected individuals can be
found in Appendix C.2.
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John Augustus Barron (11 July 1850- 8 January 1936), Federal Politician
Corelli Collard Field, Mayor of Cobourg
John Wesley Kennedy (1845- 12 February 1910), Entrepreneur
Hon. William N. Kennedy (28 April 1839-3 May 1885), Politician and entrepreneur
Wesley Miller (4 October 1845- 28 October 1938)
Henry Cassady Rogers (b. 16 July 1839), Postmaster
Thomas Rutherford (1849-1915), Contractor and Fire Chief
Henry Thomas Strickland (1836-30 May 1908)
F Yokome, Managing editor of the Peterborough Examiner
In an effort to prevent a “one-sided view” of the Fenian Raids, I’ve also included a small list of
Fenians who participated in the raids (Appendix C.3). Even though they were not from Peterborough
County, I thought it was very important to include details about these people to emphasize that they too
were ordinary people with backgrounds of their own. In conversation with Dimity Anastakis at Trent
University, I thought it was important to give details of a few Fenians, so the re-enactors at Lang Pioneer
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 14
Village have a more complete knowledge of these people, and what they were fighting for. More
information on a selected few can be found in Appendix C.4, and covers the following individuals:



Edward R. Lonergan (2 June 1845-2 June 1866), Carpenter
Father John McMahon (1820- 27 April 1872), Chaplain
John C. Canty, Chief of Staff: Intelligence
It can be assumed that not only men were affected by the Fenian Raids, however there is little
information regarding women’s roles during the Fenian Raids. The only reference I could find was a
solitary image of men and women, with the men in their formal regalia, however, it is unclear if this
photograph was taken during the period of the Fenian Raids, or afterwards in relation to the Boer War.
Further research into minority groups of any kind would greatly benefit the re-enactments at Lang
Pioneer Village, through the incorporation of these people and what their roles may have been.
Section D: Response
To explore the response of the Peterborough community, I specifically looked at newspapers to
understand how the facts and stories were being presented and interpreted in the community.
Thankfully, the Peterborough Examiner has a very long history, and covered many of the events
surrounding the Fenian Raids. Various articles cover the raids themselves, trials of prisoners, speeches
from parliamentarians, and more.
These are all very interesting to understand Peterborough’s reaction to the Fenian Raids,
although some caution should be taken. A number of the articles were reprinted from various other
newspapers, including London, Kingston, and Ottawa, and were not written by people local to
Peterborough and may not aptly portray their reactions. However, I believe that because the articles
were chosen by people within Peterborough to be printed for the public, it indicates that they did speak
to their interests and concerns.
There are also a number of articles that were written by people within Peterborough, which
offer great insight. This includes “Are there Fenians in Peterborough?” and another article simply
entitled “Prisoners” which references various people within Peterborough that were arrested or accused
of Fenianism (Appendix D.1).
Below is a list of articles and print dates that have been gathered from the Trent Valley Archives:
24 March 1864
7 April 1864
22 December1864
29 December 1864
2 November 1865
7 December 1865
7 June 1866
First Fight of the Fenians
The Fenian Brotherhood
Fenian Excitement
Fenian Raid into Canada
The Fenian Congress
Fenians in Canada
Fenians
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14 June 1866
14 June 1866
21 June 1866
21 May 1868
28 May 1868
23 June 1870
16 May 1878
Latest reports
News from Various Quarters Yesterday
The Excuses of the Prisoners who have been taken
Mr. McGee on the Fenians
Disgraceful conduct of American citizens
Ireland
Fenians Recruiting
Speech from the throne
The Habeas Corpus Suspension Act
Incidents of the Limebridge
Fenian Folly
Suspension of the Habeas Corpus
Prisoners
What Fenians are composed of
War Imminent
Among the Fenians
The True way to deal with Resident Fenian Sympathizers
The Stabbing Case and Fenianism
Fenian Excitement
The Roman Catholics on the Church Debate
Are there Fenians in Peterborough?
The Stabbing and Shooting Case
Father McMahon
Fenianism not Dead
Another Fenian Raid
For further research:
Due to the limited scope and timeframe of this project, this paper only explores reactions in the
Peterborough Examiner; however, there are a number of other local papers available through Trent
University microfilms that could be explored for other references to the Fenian Raids. I believe adding
multiple newspapers to better understand reactions would help diminish biases or skewed perspectives
on the issue. These papers include:









The Intelligencer (Bellville, Ontario; 1862-1960)
Campbellford Herald (1873-1900)
The Canadian Post (Lindsay; 1861-1898)
Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville; 1868-1899)
Cobourg Star/Sentinel (1831-1876)
Daily Examiner (Peterborough; 1891-1905)
The Daily Ontario (Belleville; 1910-1925)
Peterborough Times (1872-1914)
Port Hope Guide (1855-1934)
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Section E: Drill Instructions
As the Fenians Raids ultimately prompted the formation of the Canadian Militia as opposed to
relying on British forces, there is a great deal written on drill instructions from this time period.
However, as the Canadian militia was formed in response to the Fenian Raids, a large portion of this
work was written immediately following the raids. This may create a slight difference from drills and
formations used during the raids, as more thought would have been put into these documents before
being finalized. However, they most certainly indicate attitudes towards the militia, and what would
have been expected of the militia at the time.
The documents examined here are completed to varying degrees of thoroughness, but I believe
a great deal can be taken from these and applied to the re-enactments at Lang Pioneer Village. Of
particular use is The Guide: A Manual for the Canadian Militia by Lieutenant-Colonel W. D. Otter (1880).
In this, Otter stressed the importance of silence, stating that, “if there is talking in the ranks it is a sure
sign that its discipline is of a low order” (p65). The document goes on to address parade formations,
examination of arms, and salutes of ranked officers. There is also a large section on bugle calls, which
may be employed for larger groups instead of calling out commands.
The Instructive Handbook of Reference by Sections to Squad, Company and Battalion Drill by
Capt. Wallace of the 36th Peel Battalion offers insight into various drills preformed at this time. The
paper goes through great detail of what the order of drills is, but offers little to no explanation of what
each drill is. These drills are run over a period of twelve days at a militia encampment. They explore
marching, firing, fixing bayonets, and more. Many sections also reference other documents (for
example, “Manual Exercise, 1894”) which may indicate other sources to explore for definition and
explanation of the drills themselves.
Perhaps of most use is the Military Drill and Rifle Instruction Book for the use of the Canadian
Volunteers by Captain John Garven, under the sanction of Colonel Dyde, Commanding the Active Force.
In the preface, Captain Garven writes that this work was created to, “to facilitate the attaining
perfection in drill by the Canadian Volunteers.” By name alone, it is clear that this document was
targeted at the men who are not professionally trained militia, but have other occupations and
obligations outside of the militia. However, as Canada did not have their own militia at this time, training
volunteers was incredibly important to ensure that Canadians could defend their own lands in event of
attack.
Written with great detail, it was hoped that each man in a volunteer militia would be provided a
copy of this instruction book to learn the drills and be prepared for when called for service. Much like
Otter’s Guide, this document also covers a number of bugle calls, which every man would need to know,
in order to properly understand and interpret them.
The final document identified for this product is Regulations respecting the Volunteer Militia,
published in 1866 “by the Command of his Excellency the Commander in Chief”. While this document
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does not detail specific drills and formations, it turns its attention to legal ramifications of the volunteer
militia, rates of pay, and duties of various positions (for example, quartermaster). There are also
numerous notes of the behaviour and appearance of the volunteer militia when travelling and when at
camp. This includes “any spirituous liquors in possession of the men to be taken away and destroyed.
The men should have been forbidden to take any liquor with them before starting” (p 20). This is then
followed by a number of forms including pay notes, expense sheets, and more.
Section F: Songs
“Music has been used in war since the first discovery that even one sound or note, rhythmically repeated,
aroused a man emotions that speech could never evoke.” (Report No. 47, p1.)
Historically, instruments such as bugles and drums have been used as means of control on the
battlefield, but as early as 1871 with the formation of the regular Canadian Army, military bands were
used more for recruiting and state occasions. Between 1869 and 1870, there were 46 bands in the
Canadian militia ranging from 10 to 21 musicians in each. In 1898, that Major-General Edward Hutton
(Commander of the Canadian Militia) stated the importance of a good military band, and wished to
expand Militia School of Music to improve existing and future militia bands. Within a year, General
Hutton had a permanent band for the Royal Canadian Artillery in Quebec with a bandmaster and was
available for both state and public occasions of importance.
While there were no formally established bands at the time of the Fenian Raids, there were a
number of militia men that banded together to create music. One student wrote:
“On my way to school I had to pass the Grand Trunk station. Upon this particular
morning in May, 1866, the alluring sound of fife and drum led me to cross the railway
tracks and join the crowed on the station platform. The volunteers of Peel had been
called out to help repel the Fenian Invasion….The fife and drum struck up the tune of
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the boys are marching, the men began to sing, the crowd
commenced to cheer and the train pulled out for Toronto, and , as we feared, the front.”
(Report No. 47, p6)
During the Fenian Raids, a wide variety of songs were written. The “Fenian Song” was written by
Fenians after a skirmish at Lime Hill (1866) against the Queen’s Own Rifles of Toronto, jeering at them.
Once the Canadian troops assembled and the Fenians withdrew across the border, “An Anti-Fenian
Song” was created to the tune of “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,” with the verses credited to Lachlan McGoun
of Port Hope.
Many other songs were written at this time, and dedicated to the volunteers across the country,
including “Up Volunteers!” and “The Canadian Volunteer’s Farewell”. Other songs include:
Year of Publication
Selection of Songs from 1867-1880
Song Title
Composer
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1867
The Maple Leaf Forever
1868
Our Old Canadian Home
1873
This Canada*
1872
Canadian National Hymn
1876
Canada, the Gem in the Crown
1880
God Bless our Wide Dominion
*Winner of a Montreal Contest in 1868 as the best national song
Alexander Muir
C. P. Woodlawn
J. D. Edgar
G. C. Hutchinson
J. Davids
Arthur Sullivan
There is also a large collection of songs written by the Fenians which call for Irish men to take
action against their oppressors, and tyrants that rule their lives. The songs are true to various political
movements happening at the time, and are an interesting way to chronicle the Fenian Raids. One such
song, “The Fenian Scare” (to the tune of “The Low Backed Car”) mentions the Fenian Scare on St.
Paddy’s day, and how parliament annulled the Habeas Corpus Act, which requires a person under arrest
to be brought before a judge and court, and released if there is insufficient evidence against them.
Other songs are more poetic, and speak to the beauty of Ireland and for what they are fighting.
With the formation of the 57th Battalion in 1867, the 57th Battalion Band was also formed, and
performed at various events, including the first Dominion Day celebrations in Peterborough. According
to a newspaper article published on 19 January 2013, “the new 57th Battalion Band played military airs
throughout the day, and performed very well considering that the new director, Mr. Rackett, did not
arrive from Kingston until later in the month. Their efforts were very appreciated.”
While many songs have been collected, three songs in particular stand out for their rich history
and involvement with the Fenian Raids. The first of these three is A Fenian Song (Appendix F.1). On 31
May, 1866, about 1200 Fenians crossed the border from Buffalo, and the Queen’s Own Rifles rushed to
the scene under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Booker. Largely made up of college
students, they were soundly defeated and retreated in confusion. The Fenians celebrated their victory
and created this song.
The second song of note is the Anti-Fenian Song (Appendix F.2). Only three days after defeating
the Queen’s Own Rifle, the Fenians found themselves outnumbered at Fort Erie, and withdrew across
the border. The Canadian Volunteers who went out to fight the Fenians felt proud, and as they returned
home, made up the Anti-Fenian Song, set to the tune of “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are Marching.”
This song would continue to be an important military song, and has been adapted many times, including
for the Northwest Rebellion (1885) and the Boer War (1899).
Another popular song, which continues to be influential even today, is The Maple Leaf Forever
(Appendix F.3), written by Alexander Muir, a member of the Queen’s Own Rifles, who had served with
the regiment at the Battle of Ridgeway. This young Scotsman was a school teacher in Scarborough, and
as the story goes, was walking through Leslie Gardens in 1867, when a maple leaf floated down and
clung to his sleeve. After trying to brush it off, he remarked jokingly, “the maple leaf forever.” However,
when he got home, the phrase ran through his mind until he created a poem with it. It wasn’t until his
wife suggested he set it to music, so his students could sing it, did it become the famous song it is today.
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Concluding Remarks
From all the data gathered throughout this product, many themes have become apparent. Initially I
thought I would find conflicting opinions regarding the Fenians Raids within the Peterborough
community. However, the reaction I have found is that the inhabitants of Peterborough County were
strongly against the raids. This can be seen not only in the newspaper clippings, and stories published
about the raids, but the great number of men who signed up to volunteer in the militia and stop them.
However, we also have to keep in mind the information not found in this document. If the majority
of the population was against the Fenian Raids, and publishing articles titled, “The True way to deal with
Resident Fenian Sympathizers,” you’d probably want to keep your support quiet. This research also fails
to explore various minority groups and women. For future research, it would be very interesting, albeit
challenging, to explore women’s roles and opinions of the raids. I believe it would offer another
perspective for the re-enactments at Lang Pioneer Village, and a more well-rounded interpretation of
the events and the time period in general.
To explore the response of the Peterborough community, research was only conducted within one
newspaper, the Peterborough Examiner. A number of other newspapers from the time period have
been identified, but were not researched in depth. This may add to a slanted and skewed presentation
and/or view of the Fenian Raids, and may not accurately portray reactions of the Peterborough
community.
However, it is interesting to see how prominent the Fenian Raids were at this time. While today
most people would comment, “What are Fenians?” at the end of the nineteenth century, it seems as
though the Fenians consumed daily life. Again, this can be seen in the newspaper articles, the expansion
of the militia, and the themed songs that were produced in this time period.
When exactly the Fenians started to fade from national memory is also still a mystery to me. As the
last fight on Canadian soil, you would think it would still hold some significance to Canadians, just as the
Civil War did for Americans (which took place prior to the Fenian Raids). Happening directly between the
American Civil War, and the Boer War, the Fenian Raids have seemed to be forgotten in their place in
history. Perhaps in three years’ time, on the 150th anniversary of the Fenian Raids, there will be more
pomp and circumstance regarding public memory and commemoration. Or, will it be over shadowed by
the 150th anniversary of Confederation, instead? Only time will tell.
All the information collected in this product was gathered from within Peterborough, Ontario and
through online resources. Certainly research at the National Archives in Ottawa, or Ontario Archives
would be helpful, but I found there was enough evidence and research available in Peterborough for my
scope of the product. For future research, I would most certainly recommend further use of these
sources including local archives to delve more into Peterborough County’s involvement and local
opinion of the raids.
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Finally, it is important to note that we can only discuss what we have evidence of; verbal
communications and works that did not survive the almost 150 years since the Fenian Raids. Therefore it
is important that we use this information with a grain of salt, understanding we don’t have- and may
never have- the full picture.
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Appendices
Appendix A.1: Timeline of the Fenian Raids
Year
Month
Day
1798
1858
1863
November
1865
1865
1865
January
1865
Winter
1866
February
17
1866
February
19
1866
March
7
1866
March
17
1866
April
10
1866
April
14
1866
April
17
1866
May
27
Event
Origins of the Fenian Movement in Ireland
Formations of the Irish Republican organization "The Fenian
Brotherhood" by John O'Mahony
Fenian Brotherhood held its first convention in Chicago; with delegates
from at least five Canadian cities (Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Hamilton
and Goderich)
Fenian Convention in Cincinnati
Fenian Convention in Philadelphia
The Brotherhood spilt in late 1865 when the more militant group, led by
William R. Roberts and calling itself "men of action" proposed its own
plan for liberating Ireland, namely through an invasion of British North
America
Membership of the Fenian Brotherhood reached approximately 20,000
men, and it extended throughout the entire United States with
supporters in Canada
British Parliament, in a special session, suspended the habeas corpus act
in Ireland
IRB (Irish Republic Brotherhood) approved Fenian Secretary of War Tom
Sweeny's plan to attack British North America
Sir John A. Macdonald telegraphed Colonel Patrick Macdougall, the
Assistant Adjutant-General of the Militia, and ordered him to call out
ten thousand men of the volunteer force, stating that “they must be out
in 24 hours and for 3 weeks and whatever further time may be
required.” This was a precaution against anticipated attacked on St.
Patrick's Day after the Fenians held a mass meeting in New York and
threatened to invade north
Expected Fenian movements, but St. Patrick's Day came and went
without any incident along the Canadian-American frontier
A group of Fenians (700 men) massed at Eastport, Maine intending to
invade Campobello Island, New Brunswick.
A Fenian raid on New Brunswick began on the night of April 14, almost
immediately turned into a hopeless fiasco. They withdrew in the face of
the Canadian Militia, British warships and American authorities
The encounter was short and the Fenians were defeated as Gen. Meade
took possession of O'Mahony's ship and arms
Col. John O'Neill and his 13th Fenian Regiment moved by train north out
of Nashville, Tennessee, arriving in Buffalo, New York, on the 29th with
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1866
May
31
1866
June
1
1866
June
1
1866
June
2
1866
June
2
1866
June
3
1866
June
3
1866
June
4
1866
June
6
1866
June
6
1866
June
7
1866
June
8
reinforcements gathered en route
About 800 Fenians under John O'Neill crossed the Niagara River at
Buffalo into Canada. They occupied Fort Erie and cut telegraph lines.
The Buffalo and Lake Huron railroads were also cut before the Fenians
proceeded inland. Much of the Canadian Militia was ordered out to
counter the move
3:15 Cavalry officer Owen Starr crossed the Niagara with the Kentucky
and Indiana troops and proceeded to the ruins of the old military Fort
Erie to capture the Buffalo and Lake Huron railway depot. For Erie,
lightly defended by just six Royal Canadian Rifles, fell to the Fenians
Canadian Government issued a proclamation stating that "the soil of
Canada has been invaded…by a lawless and piratical band," and the
order was given to call out 14,000 volunteers to meet the emergency.
The population responded with great enthusiasm; over 20,000 men
volunteered their services
Canadian forces under Alfred Booker were driven back by the Fenians at
Ridgeway, Ontario with the loss of 10 dead and 38 wounded. Fenians
retreated to Fort Erie where they were engaged by another Canadian
militia force under the command of John Stoughton Dennis. The
Canadians were forced back with the loss of 6 wounded and 54
prisoners
Lieutenant-General U.S. Grant (USA) called out to the American militia
on the Frontier, to prevent hostile expeditions leaving the United States,
and to save private property from destruction by mobs
Over 20,000 militia had taken arms and been called out. The main
Canadian force commanded by George Peacocke entered Fort Erie
O'Neill and the Fenians retreated back across the border to the US
where they were given a hero's welcome
Roberts (President and Head Centre of the Brotherhood) would not
admit defeat, and issued a proclamation which called upon all IrishAmericans to continue to struggle for the Fenian Cause
2000 veterans of the Civil War charged across the United States border
at St. Albans, Vermont, and began their attack on British North America;
Fenian Brigadier Samuel P. Spear led the attack
President Andrew Johnsons belated "Neutrality Proclamation" which
was made public one week after the Fenians had openly violated
America's neutrality laws.
A force of slightly over 1000 men made a belated attempt to invade
Canadian territory from the Vermont border. They did manage to cross
into Missisquoi County and occupied Pigeon Hill after driving off some
volunteer units that were on duty in the area. They received no
reinforcements and their arms supply was seized by federal marshals in
St. Abans. When they finally heard that British regulars were
approaching, they quickly retreated to American territory. Once again,
the leaders were arrested
Parliament of the Province of Canada re-assembled in Ottawa and
procured the temporary suspension of the habeas corpus art in the
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1866
June
9
1866
June
11
1866
June
18
1866
July
27
1866
September
4
1866
September
8
1866
October
1867
March
17
1867
July
1
1867
December
1867
1868
April
1868
Fall
1869
Fall
1870
May
7
25
province until 8 June 1867
General Meade (USA) issued the following order: All persons assembled
at this place in connection with, and in aid of the Fenian organization for
the purpose of invading Canada, are hereby ordered, in compliance with
the President's proclamation, to desist from their enterprise and
disband. Within a matter of days the frontier was free from almost all
the Fenians
Several resolutions were introduced in the House by Representative
Ancona (Pa.) and Schenck (Ohio) which sought to repeal or amendment
of the existing neutrality legislations
Roberts met with influential politicians at Washington and was
promised further moral support for the cause of Irish Freedom
First alarm of another Fenian raid at Fort Erie: Reeve Kempson
telegraphed General Napier that "Fenians were crossing near Fort Erie
in considerable numbers" further information showed that there was no
actual danger, but nerves were heightened
Roberts held a convention at Troy, New York. He convinced others that
they learned a valuable lesson from the previous raid, such as the poor
quality of the Canadian militia, and persuaded others for another raid;
this meeting was attended by Canadian delegates
Following the convention, it was decided that the Brotherhood's plans
would be formulated in greater secrecy to prevent vital information
from falling into British hands
President Johnson promised to seek either the release of the Fenian
prisoners still being held in Canadian jails, or at least their immediate
trials, for which the American Government would provide legal counsel
if the defendant held US citizenship
Saint Patrick's Day: confirmed the revival of Fenianism in Canada: in
Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa the celebrations were “decidedly Fenian
in character”
Confederation became law; politicians immediately began to campaign
for seats in the new Dominion Parliament or in the new provincial
legislatures
O'Neill became president of the Roberts faction of the Fenian
Brotherhood
IRB Headquarters in Manchester opted to support neither of the dueling
American factions, promoting Clan na Gael instead
D'Arcy McGee was assassinated by a Fenian sympathizer for his
condemnation of the raids in Ottawa, Ontario
O'Neill sought to rally his supporters for another raid; Canadian
authorities were aware of his intentions long before they could be fully
realized, and thereby forced the abandonment of the plan
Further rumours of Fenian raids; lack of money, deteriorating
membership made any effective invasion utterly infeasible
General O'Neill's last foray into Canada was crumbled by Canadian
militia at Eccles Hill
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1870
1871
1871
1880
1880
1885
1899
May
After the failure at Eccles Hill, O'Neill was arrested by federal authorities
and sentenced for six month prison term for violation of the American
neutrality laws
O'Neill led an unsanctioned raid (Pembina Raid) with Fenian supporters
and exiled members of the Red River Rebellion. Crossed the border into
Manitoba, and took possession of the HBC trading post on the Canada
side, but was once against, unsuccessful
Fenian Brotherhood was political dead, financially bankrupt, and
militarily non-existent
Fear of Fenian attack plagued the Lower mainland of British Columbia,
as the Fenians were organizing in Washington and Oregon, but these
raids never actually materialized
Fenian Brotherhood voted to disband
British warships sat in the harbour just off the railhead and its dock;
there because of the treat of Fenian attack or terrorism
Survivors of the Fenian Raids and Red River Rebellion were recognized
by Queen Victoria, and each received a General Service Medal for the
loyalty and patriotism they displayed in assisting to defend their country
and flag
Appendix A.2: Proclamation 155 by President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
XVII President of the United States: 1865-1869.
Proclamation 155- Warning against Participation in an Expedition against North American Colonies of
Great Britain
June 6, 1866
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Whereas it has become known to me that certain evil-disposed persons have, within the territory and
jurisdiction of the United States, begun and set on foot and have provided and prepared, and are still
engaged in providing and preparing, means for a military expedition and enterprise, which expedition
and enterprise is to be carried on from the territory and jurisdiction of the United States against
colonies, districts, and people of British North America, within the dominions of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, with which said colonies, districts, and people and Kingdom the United States
are at peace; and
Whereas the proceedings aforesaid constitute a high misdemeanor, forbidden by the laws of the United
States as well as by the law of nations:
Now, therefore, for the purpose of preventing the carrying on of the unlawful expedition and enterprise
aforesaid from the territory and jurisdiction of the United States and to maintain the public peace as
well as the national honor and enforce obedience and respect to the laws of the United States, I,
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Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do admonish and warn all good citizens of the United
States against taking part in or in any wise aiding, countenancing, or abetting said unlawful proceedings;
and I do exhort all judges, magistrates, marshals, and officers in the service of the United States to
employ all their lawful authority and power to prevent and defeat the aforesaid unlawful proceedings
and to arrest and bring to justice all persons who may be engaged therein.
And, pursuant to the act of Congress in such case made and provided, I do furthermore authorize and
empower Major-General George G. Meade, commander of the Military Division of the Atlantic, to
employ the land and naval forces of the United States and the militia thereof to arrest and prevent the
setting on foot and carrying on the expedition and enterprise aforesaid.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cans the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 6th day of June, A.D. 1866, and of the Independence of the United
States the ninetieth.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 26
Appendix B.1: Peterborough Veterans of 1866
Figure 1: Trent Valley Archives, Fonds 312
The following names were
provided with the image on
page 24:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
David Breeze
M. McCue
J. Gary
J. Matchett
Fred Mitchell
S. Glass
Wm. Anthony
P. G. Gifford
P. Thompson
Edward Green
Robert Grub
Hon. Wm. K.
Kennedy
W. J. Lundy
C. Phillip
John Green
W. Logan
F. McCorry
Erasmus Green
G. Rose
A. Rouille
John Lylie
H. W. Walton
George Stethem
Robert Podash
Richard Sanderson
E. Tully
John Smight
J. I. Davidson
Richard Tivey
Wm. Scollie
John Haggart
Harry McNeil
G. Brown
Thomas Brown
George Stenton
Homer J. Holmes
J. Craig
John Irwin
A. J. Schofield
T. J. Nichol
R. Wright
S. Montgomery
John Craig
R. D. Rogers
John Gow
David Law
J. Mowry
J. Cookson
Robert Thompson
J. W. Miller
Wm. Langford
C. Dudman
E. Walton
F. R. Yokome
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
Henderson Nesbitt
J. D. Collins
A. P. Poussett
Col. Narry C. Rogers
Col. J. Z. Rogers
Sidney Smith
R. H. Lithgow
J. B. McWilliams
Dawson Kennedy
R. N. Roy
Ben Shortly
Harry Rush
A. Bell
J. Alexander
Patrick Kennedy
Capt. Wm. Johnson
Thomas Rutherford
George May
Lt. Col. Poole
Lt. Col. Robert Bell
H. C. Strickland
John Kennedy
Wm. Hill
D. Campbell
George Kingdon
R. M. Sheppard
Lt. Col. R. Z. Rogers
Appendix C.1: List of Volunteers for the Peterborough County Militia
Last Name
First Name
Rank
Regiment
NAC-Medals
Alexander
John
Private
Fenian Raid (1866)
Allen
Gunner
Anthony
George
Emerson
William Henry
Armour
John D.
Ensign
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Private
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866 and
1870) Red River (1870)
Fenian Raid (1866)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 28
Armstrong
Arnot
Arnot
Ball
Barron
James
David
Peter
Joseph
John Augustus
Private
Private
Private
Sergeant
Gunner
Bayly
Beatty
Charles Griffith
Charles
Bugler
Trooper
Beatty
John
Bell
Alexander (Dr.)
Bell
Alfred
Bell
George
Douglass
John Wesley
Private
Robert
George
Fitzgerald
Darcy Edward
Lt. Col
Private
Trooper
Bourn
Braden
Darcy Edward
Jr.
W. C.
Robert A.
Breeze
David
Private
Brickley
Brown
Brown
James
G.
Thomas
Private
Burke
Thomas
Sergeant
Burnham
William L.
Gunner
Campbell
Cathcart
Clifford
Climo
Duncan
Thomas
William Henry
Thomas
Private
Private
Gunner
Bell
Bell
Boggs
Boulton
Boulton
Assistant
Surgeon
Trooper
Sergeant
Trooper
Private
Artillery
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Lakefield Infantry Company
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
Lakefield Infantry Company
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
46th East Durham Battalion of
Infant Brockville and Ottawa
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Fenian Raid (1866)
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Fenian Raid (1866)
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Peterborough Rifle Company
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866 and
1870)
Fenian Raid (1866 and
1870)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 29
Collins
Private
Cookson
Craig
Craig
Craig
Joshua
Durham
J.
J.
John
Thomas
Croft
Richard
Corporal
Day
Davidson
John Edward
John Irvine
Private
Sergeant
Deacon
Densmore
William S.
Jonathan W.
Corporal
Trooper
Deviney
Hugh
Trooper
Deviney
James
Trooper
Dixon
Adam
Trooper
Dudman
Dumble
C.
Albert E.
Private
Dumble
John Henry
Captain
Edmonds
Edward
Emsur
Fairbairn
Ferguson
Narsus
Alexander
Andrew
Private
Ferguson
Field
Robert
Corelli Collard
Private
Gunner
Field
Gunner
Fitzgerald
Forbes
Garrett
Francis Meade
Woodbury
A
Peter
Andrew W.
Ghreen
John
Private
Trooper
Private
Private
Private
Artillery 40th Battalion
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Fenian Raid (1866)
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Port Hope Infantry Company
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Ashburnham Infantry Company
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Fenian Raid (1866)
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
57th Peterborough Battalion
Lakefield Volunteer
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
57th Peterborough Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Fenian Raid (1866)
Independent Company Lindsay
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866 and
1870)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 30
Gifford
Peter
Private
Glass
Samuel
Private
Gow
John
Private
Graham
William
Gunner
Gray
Green
Jesse
Edward
Private
Bugler
Green
Erasmus
Sergeant
Grub
Haggart
Hair
Robert
John
Evans Ingram
Corporal
Hale
Hales
Hayden
George Hughes
Edward
Frederick
Private
Private
Bandsman
Hayden
John
Gunner
Hill
Holmes
Hossack
Wm.
Homer, J.
James
Gunner
Howard
Sergeant
Humphrey
Humphries
Theodore
Arnold
William
Job
Hunter
Irwin
William
John
Private
Private
Jaynes
Daniel
Trooper
Johnson
Junkin
Junkin
Kennedy
Kennedy
Wm.
James
Robert
Dawson
James Croft
Captain
Sergeant
Private
Kennedy
John Wesley
Ensign
Private
Private
Sergeant
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Fenian Raid (1866)
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Independent Company Lindsay
Port Hope Garrison Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
57th Peterborough Battalion
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Lakefield Infantry Company
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Fenian Raid (1866)
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 31
Kennedy
Kennedy
Kennedy
Joseph Henry
Patrick
Wm. N. (Hon)
Captain
Private
Lt. Col
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
1st Company, Peterborough
Rifles/57th Peterborough
Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Keogh
Peter
Gunner
King
Kingdon
Kingston
John
George Samuel
John J.
Private
Private
Private
Kylie
Langford
Larmour
Law
Law
Lawes
John
William
William James
Alfred
David
Charles
Private
Corporal
Private
Private
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery 40th Battalion
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Ashburnham Infantry Company
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Fenian Raid (1866)
Lean
Henry
Trooper
Leigh
Edward
Captain
Lithgow
Robert Hiram
Private
Logan
William
Sergeant
Londerville
Lucas
Peter
William
Private
Lundy
William Rusk
Private
MacKechnie
Private
Martin
Matchett
May
McCombe
McCorry
McCue
McCutcheon
Charles
William
McDonald
William
John S.
George Henry
John
F.
Matthew
Alexander
Corporal
Private
Corporal
Private
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Lakefield Infantry Company
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Private
Trooper
57th Peterborough Battalion
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troops
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
McDonald
William
Sergeant
Corporal
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866 and
1870)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 32
McEvers
William
Private
McGimsie
McGregor
McMahon
McNeice
McNeil
McWilliams
Metcalf
Robert
William
Hugh
Henry
Harry
John Bannon
Frederick
Private
Private
Private
Private
Miller
Wesley
Corporal
Minaker
David Hicks
Sergeant
Mitchell
Mitchell
Montgomery
Mowry
Munro
Frederick
William
Samuel
John Hatin Sr.
John
Private
Sergeant
Private
Private
Trooper
Musgrover
Joseph A.
Private
Neithercut
Nesbitt
Nicholl
Montgomery
Henderson
Tom John
Private
Private
Private
Orde
Perry
Francis William
Buchanan
Private
Peters
Phillips
Philp
Plews
William
Charles E.
Harry
James
Private
Sergeant
Bugler
Trooper
Podash
Polkinghorne
Robert
John A.
Gunner
Poole
Poussett
Powell
Edwin
Alfred P.
Newton Albert
Captain
Pringle
Roderick R.
Lieutenant
Private
Corporal
Gunner
Prince of Hales Dragoon Guards
Cobourg troop of Cavalry
Port Hope Infantry Company
57th Peterborough Battalion
Peterborough Rifle Company
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
57th Peterborough Battalion
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troops
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Prince of Hales Dragoon Guards
Cobourg troop of Cavalry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
57th Peterborough Battalion
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Peterborough Rifle Company
Fenian Raid (1866)
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 33
Purser
Ritchie
Rogers
Rogers
Rogers
Rogers
Rose
Ross
Ross
Richard
John
Henry Cassady
James Z
R. D.
R. Z.
G.
Anthony
David
Private
Private
Lt. Col
Captain
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Private
Corporal
57th Peterborough Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Rouille
Roy
Rush
A.
R. N.
Henry
LanceCorporal
Private
Private
Private
Gunner
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Rutherford
Sage
Sago
Sailsbury
Thomas
William
George
Jonathan
57th Peterborough Battalion
Lakefield Infantry Company
Lakefield Infantry Company
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Lakefield Infantry Company
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Sanderson
Sawers
Scholfield
Scollie
Sharp
Sheppard
Shortly
Smith
Richard Jones
John
Alfred J
William Joseph
Alexander
Richard M.
Ben
Henry
Private
Private
Private
Private
Private
Private
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
57th Peterborough Battalion
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Ashburnham Infantry Company
Millbrook Infantry Company
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Fenian Raid (1866)
Smith
Smith
John
Parker
Private
Trooper
Smith
Steele
Smith
Richard
Robert
Sydney
Private
Private
Private
Smylie
Hugh
Trooper
Smylie
James
Trooper
Smylie
Thomas
Trooper
Smylie
William
Trooper
Lt. Col
Lieutenant
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 34
Stenton
Stethem
Strickland
Strong
George
George
Henry Thomas
Charles Stuart
Private
Private
Lieutenant
Bombardier
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Sergeant
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
57th Peterborough Battalion
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
57th Peterborough Battalion
Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards
Cobourg Troop or Cavalry
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
Independent Company Lindsay
Sweeting
Tanner
Charles
William
Corporal
Trooper
Taylor
Thomas
Trooper
Teskey
William Rufus
Private
Thirkell
Thompson
Thompson
Tivey
Trebelcock
John Arthur
P.
Robert William
Richard
Paul
Private
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
Bombardier
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
54th Battalion Peterborough
Infantry
Fenian Raid (1866)
Tully
Edward B.
Private
Walton
Walton
Wellwood
E.
H. W.
William
Sergeant
Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards
Cobourg Troop or Cavalry
Cobourg Battery Garrison
Artillery
The Prince of Wales Dragoon
Guards or Cobourg Troop
Lakefield Infantry Company
Port Hope Rifle Company
57th Peterborough Battalion
Fenian Raid (1866)
White
Henry Birkett
Corporal
Wicks
George
Private
Wilkins
Woodcock
Wright
Yokome
Edward
Richard
Robert
F. R.
Private
Private
Private
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Fenian Raid (1866)
Appendix C.2: Notable Individuals from the Peterborough County Militia
John Augustus Barron
John Augustus Barron was born on 11 July 1850, in Toronto to Fredrick William (abt. 1810-1886)
and Eleanor (Thompson) Barron (d. 1853). At the age of 16, he participated in the Fenian Raid as a
Gunner in the Cobourg Battery Garrison Artillery 40th Battalion. For his efforts, he received a medal on
behalf of Queen Victoria. He again participated in the Fenian Raid in 1871, but received no special
recognition for his contribution.
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 35
In the late 1870s, John Augustus Barron became the reeve of Lindsay, where he practiced law,
and later became a judge. In 1887, He was elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Liberal
Party in the riding of Victoria North. In 1891, Barron was re-elected, but unseated by petition and lost in
the by-election on 11 February 1892. During his political career, he also wrote a number of government
documents regarding mortgages, and bills of sales (partial list can be found at the end of his biography).
Privately, Barron married Elizabeth Dunsford of Bobcaygon and had one child: J. Christopher
Barron. After the death of his first wife, Barron remarried to Jessie (Gurd) Keating. Barron died on 8
January 1936.
Books and Papers Published by Barron:







The Bills of Exchange Act 1890: fully and copiously indexed so as to be quick and ready
references. Carswell : Toronto, 1890. 140 p.
The Conditional Sales Acts, being an annotation of the Act Respecting Conditional Sales of
Chattels (R.S.O. 1897, Cap. 149) and amendments thereto, to which is appended a complete set
of forms . 2nd ed. Toronto : Carswell; 1907. xxiii, 208 p.
A handbook on the Conditional sales act: being an annotation of the Act respecting conditional
sales of chattels (51 Victoria, Chap. 19, Ont.): to which is appended a complete set of forms .
Toronto : Carswell; 1890. viii, 118 p.
The law of automobiles and motor vehicles in Canada: being an exhaustive analysis of the
statute law of each province, preceded by a treatise on the law of conditional sales, insurance
and criminal law in relation to the sale and use of automobiles . Toronto : Carswell; 1926. lxxii,
1354 p.
The law of conditional sales; being a complete and exhaustive compilation of the law, pertaining
to the statutes of each province of Canada, and the several amendments thereto. 3rd ed.
Toronto : Carswell; 1928. lv, 522 p.
The turning of the thumb. [Canada? : s.n.; 1905?]. 1 microfiche (13 fr.)
Barron and O'Brien on chattel mortgages and bills of sale: a treatise on the general law of
mortgages and sales of personal property, with copies of the enactments of the various
provinces and also such statutes of Canada as affect the same, fully annotated, accompanied
with a complete appendix of forms. Barron, John Augustus and A. H. (Arthur Henry) O'Brien
3d ed. by R. M. Willes Chitty. Toronto : Canada Law Book; 1927. xxv, 728 p.
Corelli Collard Field
Corelli Collard Field moved from Somersetshire, England to Cobourg, Ontario in 1834, and in
1861, he married Miss Hossack. In 1866 Field participated in the Fenian Raids as a Gunner for the
Cobourg Battery Garrison Artillery, and received a medal from the Queen for his service. After his
participation in the raids, Field became a Public School Trustee and Chairman of the Board for 12 years,
and a Town Councillor for ten years. In 1886, Field was elected as the Mayor of Cobourg. After this
position, he was part of the legislative assembly as a liberal.
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 36
John Wesley Kennedy
John Wesley Kennedy was born in 1845, and quickly followed his father’s (Colonel John
Kennedy) footsteps, by joining the 57th Peterborough Light Infantry company and began his military
training. At the age of nineteen, he graduated and was publicly recognized as a ranked official.
Within three years, he became captain of No. 2 Company and he and his brothers were officers
under the command of their father at the Fenian raid of Ridgeway in 1866. In the same year, he married
Sarah Elizabeth Newman, and during their marriage had three children: William N. Kennedy, John H. M.
Kennedy and Lucy A. Kennedy.
In 1880, Kennedy moved to Winnipeg and was a member of the home guard at Fort Osborne
Barracks. In 1885 he recruited a company for the 91st Battalion when the Riel Rebellion broke out, and
was made its captain.
Outside of the military, Kennedy and his brothers opened up a painting and decorating business
which operated successfully for a number of years. He was a Methodist, prominent in Grace Church,
Young Church, and later St. James Park Congregational Church. He was a Mason, an Orangeman, a
lifetime temperance worker, and a member of the executive board of the Royal Templars. At the time of
his death on 12 February 1910, Kennedy was a clerk in the Land Title Office in Winnipeg.
Honorable William Nassau Kennedy
William Nassau Kennedy was born on 28 April 1839 in Newcastle, Upper Canada. He was the
second of six children to John Kennedy (Lt. Col in the militia) and Catharine Lambert. William Nassau
Kennedy left school at an early age and worked as a contractor for a brief period, before training for two
years with David William Dumble as a barrister in Peterborough. After this, he took up his father’s
occupation of house painter and interior decorator.
The Kennedy family also had a distinguished military tradition. In 1857, William enlisted as a
private in the newly organized 1st Company Peterborough Rifles. Along with his father and brothers, he
took part in the formation of the 1st Company, Peterborough Infantry, five years later.
After progressing through several non-commissioned ranks, Kennedy earned a 1st class
certificate from the Toronto Military School, and was commissioned ensign on 7 July 1865. He travelled
with his unit to the Niagara peninsula during the Fenian invasion of June 1866, but never saw action. The
following year, he was formally announced as temporary adjutant and drill instructor as captain of the
newly formed 57th Peterborough Battalion of Infantry. Subsequently, he obtained a 1st class certificate
from the Military Riding School in Toronto, rating special mention for proficiency in horsemanship and
swordsmanship.
Much like his father, William was “public spirited,” and served on the Peterborough Town
Council for six years. He also married Mary Anne Chambers, had four sons and one daughter.
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In 1869, Captain Kennedy went as the “coveted vacancy allotted for” one officer from the 57th
Battalion for the Red River expedition, and served under Colonel Garnet Joseph Wolseley. Kennedy
travel to Upper Fort Garry as a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion of Infantry (Ontario Rifles).
After the Red River Rebellion, Kennedy stayed in Manitoba and in October 1871, he raised a
temporary volunteer unit, the Winnipeg Rifle Company, to help repel the unsanctioned Fenian Raid led
by William Bernard O’Donoghue and John O’Neill. This event emphasized the need for maintaining a
local force of citizen-soldiers, and exactly one week after the invasion, Kennedy helped to found the
Winnipeg Field Battery of which he became adjutant. The following year he rose to command the unit,
an appointment he was to hold until 1883.
In the 1870s Kennedy became a leading citizen of Winnipeg. He was made registrar of deeds for
Selkirk County and Winnipeg and city clerk in 1873. In 1874 he became a member of the first Executive
Council of the North-West Territories and in 1875 was elected the second mayor of Winnipeg, and held
the position for two consecutive one-year terms. His family eventually joined him in Winnipeg in 1876.
As a prominent booster of Manitoba, Kennedy was active in some 11 railway charter groups
between 1875 and 1883, was involved in the affairs of the Manitoba South-Western Colonization
Railway, and was vice-president of the Manitoba and Hudson’s Bay Railway in 1884. He also seems to
have dealt in real estate. His inclination toward community life led him to join the Orange order, the
Foresters, and many other fraternal organizations. A charter member of the Prince Rupert’s Lodge,
Kennedy became deputy grand master in the freemasons’ Grand Lodge of Manitoba when it was formed
in 1875. His other interests ranged from competition rifle shooting to music.
In 1883 as a response to civil unrest, Captain Kennedy resolved to raise a full battalion of rifles.
On 9 Nov. 1883 the 90th Winnipeg Rifles was organized. Kennedy was chosen to command and was
accordingly promoted to major and brevet lieutenant-colonel.
Kennedy also travelled to Egypt and Sudan on the military endeavour to rescue Major-General
Charles George Gordon, who was trapped in Khartoum. On the return voyage to England, he contracted
smallpox and was hospitalized in London where he finally succumbed to the disease, on 3 May, 1885.
William Nassau Kennedy was a characteristic 19th-century Canadian civic leader, entrepreneur,
and militia commander. In a competitive frontier environment where opportunities abounded for the
enterprising, most men found little in the militia establishment to attract them. Some, like Kennedy,
imbued with an intense patriotism for Canada and the empire, were not above manipulating men and
circumstances, or employing patronage and the privileges of office, in the interests of keeping up a force
of citizen soldiers as a symbol of order and authority – a force which would be tested in the North-West
rebellion of 1885.
James Wesley Miller
James Wesley Miller was born on 4 October 1845 in Bowmanville, to John Miller, a local
contractor. He was in the USA in April 1861, when the Civil War broke out, and he enlisted in the Sixth
US Calvary. He rose to Quartermaster Sergeant, the highest rank for a Non-Commissioned Officer. He
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 38
was at the first battle of Bulls Run and was wounded at Malvern Hill and Gettysburg. He was captured at
Gettysburg, and spent sometime in the Libby Prison, a Confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia.
Following an exchange of prisoners, he and other starving prisoners were hospitalized at St. John’s
College in Maryland. The local newspapers carried several articles on Miller, and many of these are
included in the Don Cournoyea founds at the Trent Valley Archives. It seems Miller fought at both
battles of Bull’s Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Malvern Hill. His three year term expired in
1864, and because of the dramatic appeal of his brother, he did not re-enlist.
In Peterborough, Miller worked in Samuel White’s shoe-shop, and then for James Stenson,
before beginning his own shoe store, described in 1921 as a “high-grade shoe store on George Street.”
He retired in 1923. In the 1901 census, Miller still had quite a few children at home: Frederick Charles
(30), John Hepburn (21), Ethel Maude (18), Norman (17), Gordon Campbell (15), and Burton (13). The
first three were, respectively, a painter, an electrician and a bookkeeper; the last three, students. He
had at least three other daughters (Ada, Minnie and Lillian) and a son (William). He was a Methodist, an
active member of George Street Methodist, where he taught Sunday School for many years. The family
lived at 212 McDonnel Street, across from the collegiate.
Miller volunteered to fight the Fenians in 1866, and became the second head of the volunteers
organization. He was the last survivor of the 220 local volunteers. He was one of the first members of
the 57th Regiment, established in 1867, and eventually became its fifth commanding officer, 1893-1914.
He served four years as alderman, several years as school trustee, and as District Grand Master of the
Oddfellows. His obituary comments that he had the ability to express his opinions with “force and
clarity.”
Henry Cassidy Rogers
Henry Cassidy Rogers was born at Grafton on the 16th of July 1839. He worked with Henry
Strickland beginning in 1856, until he was appointed Postmaster for Peterborough in 1871- a position he
would hold for 36 years. While only 16 years old Henry had joined the Peterborough Rifle Company and
in 1866, during the period of the Fenian Raids, he commanded that unit on the frontiers. His great
commitment to the military caused him to raise and command the first troop of volunteer cavalry in
Peterborough. This unit was organized in 1872 and later became "G" Troop of the 3rd Prince of Wales
Canadian Dragoons. H.C. Rogers was public-spirited, with many interests and connections, not only with
his Peterborough of the late 19th and early 20th centuries but also the Peterborough of the future.
Rogers married Maria Burritt on the 2nd of September 1863. Henry and Maria had five sons
(Walter James, Herbert Burritt, Henry Schofield, David McGregor, and Guy Hamilton) and two daughters
(Ethel Burnham and Helen McGregor). He was described as having a kindly genial manner and a publicspiritedness, and in appearance was stocky with an eye-catching moustache and bushy, drooping
mutton-chop whiskers. He lived with his wife and family in what was likely his first house at 304- 06
Brock St.
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In 1876, Rogers commissioned architect John Belcher to design a new house in Ashburnham on
the corner of Lake and James Street. The house was called “The Pines” and was designated a heritage
site in 1981. In the 1880s, Rogers became a Colonel in the militia, was a member of the horticultural
society and the superintendent of St. Luke’s Church Sunday School. In 1896 helped found the
Peterborough Historical Society and was elected its first president, with Catherine Parr Traill as the
society's honorary president. Rogers also became an early president of the Ontario Historical Society. In
1990, Rogers had another house built, this time at 396 Downie St. (south of Hunter St.) in the Queen
Anne style. This building was designated a heritage structure by the Peterborough Architectural
Conservative Advisory Committee in 2005.
Rogers’ family was also very involved in
the militia. Three of his brothers also served in
the local volunteer forces, including his older
brother, David McGregor, who was an officer in
the local volunteer cavalry company, which his
father had commanded until 1854; and one of
his younger brothers, Robert Zaccheus, who
served as a Lieutenant on the frontier during
the Fenian Raids in 1866. These three are
typically referred to as “The Three Rogers
Brothers” in archival references. When the 40th
Northumberland Battalion was formed, Robert
Z. Rogers served as a Captain in the unit and in
August of 1876 was promoted Lieutenant
Colonel and commander of the same battalion.
Henry's youngest brother, James Charles, also
held a commission in the 40th Northumberland
Battalion.[21]
In addition to his brothers, three of
Henry Cassady Rogers' cousins served in the
military forces. These three men were the sons
of Henry's uncle Robert David Rogers. The
eldest son, James Zacheus Rogers, served in
Figure 2: The Three Colonels, Peterborough Museum and Archives. Fonds
1969-020. Featuring Col. James Z. Rogers, Col. Henry C. Rogers and Col. Robert
his father's volunteer company and was
Zaccheus Rogers.
promoted to command of the unit in May of
1866. In 1879 he succeeded to the command
of the 57th Battalion of Peterborough Rangers. The second son, George Charles, also served in a local
Peterborough volunteer unit. Robert David Rogers' youngest son, Alfred Burnham Rogers, was a
volunteer with the Midland Battalion during the North West Rebellion in 1885.
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Thomas Rutherford
Thomas Rutherford was born in 1849 in Peterborough, Ontario. As a
youth, he enlisted during the Fenian Raids, and while he saw no military
action, he did receive a medal from the Queen commending his service in the
Fenian Raid of 1866. Later in his life, Rutherford became a contractor, building
a number of schools, hotels and commercial structures including Market Hall
which is still a prominent landmark in Peterborough, Ontario.
Figure 3: Fire Chief Rutherford.
Peterborough Museum and
Archives.
Rutherford was best known as a fire-fighter. He joined the volunteer
brigade in 1868, and became Chief in 1880. The photograph seen here was
likely taken around the time of this article, from the Examiner, on January 2,
1908:
“Formal Opening of New Fire Hall a Great Success
…For the benefit of the visitors the chief [Rutherford] arranged a number of harness drills
which were most interesting. It was shown how the doors fly open at the sound of the
gong and how quickly the horses may be harnessed. The brigade was photographed in
the morning by Mr. R.M. Roy, all the equipment being taken out and manned.
Afterwards another photograph was taken at the studio.”
Only a few months after the new hall opened, however, Rutherford handed in his resignation.
City Council had been arguing at length over replacing the volunteer brigade with a smaller team paid a
proper salary. The latter option was chosen, and though generally well-thought of, the volunteer brigade
was dissolved; a permanent one was inaugurated that same year. He died in 1915.
Figure 4: Peterborough Fire Brigade, Peterborough Museum and Archives. Fonds 1999-036.
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 41
Henry Thomas Strickland
Henry Thomas Strickland was born around 1836, to Samuel and Mary (Reid) Strickland, and
brother to Catherine Parr Traill and Susanna Moodie. On 1 September 1859, Strickland married
Margaret Rogers, and had two daughters: Mary Eliza (b. 1860) and Emma Margaret (1862-1951). After
this, Strickland enlisted in the 57th Peterborough Battalion, and received a medal from the Queen for his
service in the 1866 Fenian Raid.
F.R. Yokome
F. R. Yokome worked for many years as the managing editor for the Peterborough Examiner,
and was responsible for many of the leading editorials which contributed to the high standing it
acquired among the provincial newspapers of it time.
Appendix C.3: Fenian Men
Last Name
Bailey
First
Name
Michael
Bigelow
Rank
Regiment
Lt. Colonel
7th Regiment "Irish Army of Liberation,"
Buffalo, New York
7th Regiment "Irish Army of Liberation,"
Buffalo, New York
10th Kentucky Cavalry (Louisville)
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
7th Regiment "Irish Army of Liberation,"
Buffalo, New York
James Hugh Haggerty's Company, Terre Haute,
Indiana
Major
Bolands
Buckley
Michael
Patrick
Captain
Canty
(Caunty)
Cochrane
John C
Major
Michael
ColourSergeant
Crouty
Dempsey
Donohoe
Matthew
J.W.
Fitzgerald
Fitzpatrick
Geraghty
J.W.
Rudolph
James
S
Captain
Grace
John
Lt. Colonel
Gilborn
Hoy (Hoye)
Keefy
Kegan
Thomas
John
Michael
James
Battle
of…
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Captain
Captain
Colonel
New Orleans company "Louisiana Tigers"
19th Regiment "Irish Republic Volunteers,"
Cincinnati, Ohio
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
19th Ohio Regiment of Cincinnati "Irish
Republic Volunteers"
PA
7th Buffalo "Irish Army of Liberation"
TN
17th Kentucky Regiment of Louisville
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
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Lonergran
Edward R
Lieutenant
Lynch
John
Sergeant
Lynch
John
Private
Maddox
McLaughlin
Thomas
Michael
McMahon
O'Day
O'Neill
Power
Ryan
Rafferty
John
Patrick
John
Michael
John
Thomas
Chaplain
Scanlon
Scully
Michael
Edward
Colonel
Shields
Spaulding
Starr
Lawrence
John
George
Own
Thomas
W
S
Captain
Lt. Colonel
Colonel
Indiana
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
Commander of 150 Fenians at St. Albans
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
13th Tennessee Regiment of Nashville
15th Kentucky Infantry
17th Kentucky Regiment of Louisville
General
not present at Ridgeway or buffalo
Sweeney
Thompson
7th Regiment "Irish Army of Liberation,"
Buffalo, New York
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
Indiana
18th Regiment, "Cleveland Rangers,"
Cleveland, OH
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Brigadier General, CO
13th Regiment Memphis Company ,TN
Appendix C.4: Fenian Men of Note
Lt. Edward K. Lonergan
Lt. Edward K. Lonergan was born on 2 June 1845, and was
typical of the Buffalo Fenians, in that he was a single labourer under the
age of 30. Not much of his personal life is known, but he worked as a
carpenter at the Jones Ship Yard in Buffalo, New York.
He joined the 7th Buffalo regiment, and fought at the Battle of
Ridgeway, where he died on his 21st birthday (2 June 1866). He was
buried in a mass grave at Ridgeway, but his body was later brought back
to be buried in Holy Cross Cemetery at Limestone Hill. A monument
provided by the Fenians, and replaced in 1897 by the Ancient Order of
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
Ridgeway
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Hibernians has an inscription which reads:
In Memory of Edward K. Lonergan
Lieut. 7th Regt. I.R.A
Age 21 yrs
Who Fell Gallantly fighting
Ireland’s enemies on
The famous Field of Ridgeway
June 2, 1866.
The other side of the stone has some lines of verse praising Fenians and condemning tyrants:
No foe would fear your thunder words
If ‘twere not for your lightning swords
If tyrants yield when millions pray,
‘Tis least they link in war array;
The patient dint, and powder, shock,
Can blast an empire like a rock.
Father John McMahon
Father John McMahon was born in 1820 in Ireland, and immigrated to the US in 1840. He
studied at the University of St. Mary in Chicago and was considered a chaplain of the raids.
On June 3, 1866, he was captured with other wounded Fenians in Fort Erie, and was taken by
train to Toronto on June 4 with 20 other prisoners who were all cuffed in pairs and marched to the
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Toronto jail in chains through a jeering mob. He appeared before the Toronto court on October 26,
1866.
Witnesses said they saw him during the raid wearing a pistol and issuing orders to the Fenians,
dressed in his clerical garb. Fr. McMahon claimed to have been on his way to Montreal to settle his dead
brother's estate, but Fenians on the train suspected him of being a British spy. Once they believed that
he wasn't a spy, they insisted he be their chaplain. Other sources indicate that McMahon indeed left
Anderson with a company of Fenians. A Canadian official said that "a Roman Catholic dignitary told him
that McMahon was an illiterate person ordained in consequence of the dearth of missionaries in the
western states, and that he had been suspended more than once for drunkenness".
Fr. McMahon was sentenced to hang on December 13th, and there were mob demonstrations
in Indiana and Quebec over a death sentence having been given to a priest. On March 4, 1867, his death
sentence was changed to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour, along with six other Fenian prisoners.
During 1867 and '68, US Secretary Seward received 96 petitions that demanded US intervention
on behalf of Father McMahon and the other Fenian prisoners. During March of 1867, the 40th US
Congress ordered the US Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate McMahon's imprisonment and
secure his release. McMahon was released August 12, 1869 after the Archbishop of Halifax went to
Ottawa to intercede for him. He was the last captive of the 1866 Fenian raid to be released.
Fr. McMahon then went on a lecture tour describing his duties as chaplain for the Fenians and
the rigors of his imprisonment. He was reportedly observed taking part in the 1870 Fenian Raid. He was
reinstated as a priest in Indiana and died April 27, 1872 at Reynolds Station, Indiana.
Major John C. Canty
Major John C. Canty (also Cautie or Cauntie or Kantie), was the chief Fenian Intelligence officer,
and a spy from the Buffalo Fenian circle. In December 1865, he crossed into Canada, purchased a house
in Fort Erie, and settled there as a Fenian “sleeper.” Finding employment as a section foreman on the
Grand Trunk Railway line, Canty meticulously collected maps and intelligence and sketched and
surveyed the local topography, the Welland Canal, ferries, bridges, railway junctions, roads, and
telegraph systems for the next six months. The town of Ridgeway and Limestone Ridge were likely part
of the terrain Canty surveyed during his mission.
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Appendix C.5: Image of Militia Men and Women
Figure 5: Peterborough Museum and Archives. Fonds P68-16.
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Appendix D.1: Transcriptions of Selected Newspaper Articles
Prisoners (Peterborough Examiner, 14 June 1866)
During last week our little Town was enabled not only to send Volunteers to the front, but to
add to the number of Fenian prisoners. Denis Brennen, well known both in Peterboro’ and Port Hope,
left here some time since and directed, his steps quietly to the south of the lakes. No one wondered
very much at this as many more were doing so, with the apparent intent of making a better of it. Mr.
Brennen, however, returned about a week since as if to remain, but he having been seen in Fenian
processions in Rochester, also having been heard drink toasts and of expressions that should indicate
Fenian proclivities, it was found that Peterborough was not the place to remain in quiet, but his
departure was hurried, from information that a coat of tar and feathers was being prepared for him. He
therefore, not desiring such a dressing, departed on the train of the same day of his arrival. On his way
down, however, he got into bad company again and was heard in company with others use language
that cast stronger suspicions, and accordingly a warrant was issued for his arrest in Port Hope; but he
eluded the vigilance of the Constables and made his way to Cobourg, where he was arrested next
morning waiting to get away on the boat. He was brought to Port Hope, and since has undergone
several examinations, being defended by T. M. Fairbairn, Esq., of this place. It is reported that the
evidence is strong enough to convict him of Fenian proclivities, and if so, he may get cheap board and
lodgings, at the County boarding house for a few months. He was examined on Tuesday evening and
sent down to Cobourg. We have no received particulars.
Two Crowleys, from Otonabee, were taken at the same time; also one Healy, from Westwood.
The Crowleys got off after first or second examination; Healy still accompanies Mr. Brennan, on the
charge of being a Fenian Drill Sergeant for the Canadas. There can be little moral doubt of the guilt of
the parties arrested, the only difficulty being the legal conviction. Scarcely an individual in town but
believes they are guilty- their friends almost tearing testimony. It is reasonable, however, that they
should have a fair trial and every reasonable opportunity of establishing their innocence, and if innocent
acquit them; but if guilt, and it proved, treat them as double-dyed traitors and would-be-murderers,
living in our midst and on our bounties, at the same time plotting our destruction. If guilty, hanging
would be too respectable a finale for them.
County of Peterborough Volunteers: To the Editor of the Peterborough Examiner
(Peterborough Examiner, 21 June 1866)
I regret that I was unable, is consequence of the unexpectedly brief duration of my visit to
Kingston, to comply with the request you preferred that I would write to you….I arrived at Kingston by
that excellent steam-boat, the Grecian, at 3.30 o’clock on the morning ot Tuesday, the 12th instant. The
stress of the town presented no unusual appearance, but were quiet and silent as the streets of
Peterborough at the present date. It was not till I had been ashore an hour that I saw even a single
policeman, the sole perambulating occupant of the street: about half-an-hour afterwards a solitary
Volunteer presented himself later in the morning, however, a more lively scene might be witnessed
when the Volunteers assembled for parade.
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I accompanied them to their parade-ground at Barryfield; across the Catarsqui bridge, and was
greatly pleased with the steadiness and discipline they established. But, what will be even more
interesting to our county is the satisfactory report I have the pleasure to make respecting the manner in
which our own Companies conducted themselves, while off duty, during their stay in Kingston.
2050 Volunteers, including Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry, and Rifles were billeted in the city and I
was informed, and I need scarcely add, the information afforded me the greatest gratification, by two of
the resident clearly as well as by other civilians, that although they had purposely been out at all hours
of the night, they had never seen a single instance of misconduct on the part of our Volunteers. Four
Privates of the Peterboro’ Rifles were billeted at the house of a personal friend of mine, who expressed
to me the high sense be entertained of the exemplary conduct of his temporary inmates.
I accompanied the officer upon whom devolved the duty of paying the billets of the men of his
Company, and it will. I feel assured, be gratifying to the county of Peterboro’ to know that when he
expressed a hope, as he did at every house, that the men had conducted themselves well, the reply was,
on every occasion, invariably the same in substance, that so men could possibly have behaved with
greater propriety. In fact, having been with them, myself, in Port Hope, in Kingston, and in Cobourg, I
have no hesitation in affirming that the county of Peterboro’ has every person to be proud of its
battalion, and that it is not excelled, if indeed it is applauded by any battalion in the Province.
Their campaign has over a short and a bloodless one, but, and their services been required on
the battlefield, instead of simply on the parade-ground, those services would have been tendered with
equal if not greater alacrity….
…But one feeling pervades their hearts, a feeling of disappointment that they have laid no
opportunity of meeting the band of thieves and ragabonds who have dared to threaten our soil with the
pollution of their presence; for they are assured that, fighting as they would have ought, is so good a
cause, the cause of their Queen, their country, their hearths, their alters, there could not have been a
shadow of doubt respecting the issue of the contest.
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, H. A.
Are there Fenians in Peterborough (Peterborough Examiner, 28 May 1868)
This is a question that is often put to us as we meet persons on the stress and when we are from
home, and a delicate question it is to answer. Sometimes we hear it said that there are hundreds around
us, and again we hear it said that they believe there is not one. Both these statements, we believe, are
exaggerations. We do not believe there are hundreds, or even one hundred, yet we might be astray. We
are not of those that would accuse our Roman Catholic fellow citizens of being Fenians; we are fully
persuaded that by far the large majority of them are loyal, and would rally round the old flag AGAINST
the Fenian cut-throats, if their services were required. In saying they are loyal, we do not mean to say
that they forget old Ireland, the land of their nativity, the land of their forefathers, and the land of
hallowed associations. No, they do not forget Ireland; but they are loyal because they enjoy peace,
plenty, protection, justice and religious liberty under the benign sway of Victoria, such as they know
right well they would not enjoy even in the Holy City itself.
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But to return to the question- Are there Fenians in Peterboro’ and vicinity? We say we believe
there are Fenians in Peterborough, but we do not know who they are. There can be no doubt that all
those stragglers, who pass the greater part of their time on the other side of the lakes, are Fenians and
Fenian sympathizers. They go over there and they associated with Fenians and almost no one else, they
drink in the poison and they become the loud mouthed champions of Ireland’s wrongs. These come
back again and they remain here without any known means of support. How can they do it? They do not
work when away and they lounge round hotels and groggeries while here, so that they must either
be…or Fenians, and to the latter idea we are inclined. These renegades coming amongst on are doing
more harm in sowing the seeds of discord, privately, than we are aware of; and during the present
excitement they should be every one compiled to give a full account of how they get their
daily…independently of how they get the drinks. We have all along been practising a kind of deceptive
game; we have been pretending to believe that every man in Canada is loyal, while our earnest nonvictims were to the contrary. Let me have the… to come out….We have no confidence in those birds of
passage, those men who on landing go at once to the brotherhood; but because they are disloyal why
should we…the whole people? All intelligent honest Catholics are loyal. The designing, idle, restless
makes need watching.
Fenianism not Dead (Peterborough Examiner, 23 June 1870)
Those who fancied that the miserable failure of the late raid would result in the extinction of
Fenianism, and that the credulous and impulsive Irish Americans of the poorer classes would at last be
convinced of the incompetency and mercenary motives of their leaders, are greatly mistaken. So long as
the Fenian movement is permitted and even encouraged by the Americans we shall have raids
attempted or accomplished every year.
It is true that as soon as the last raid was seen to be a failure almost every American paper came
out in…ridicule of the Fenians, but it was the failure and not the outrageous and diabolical purpose of
the attempt that induced them to take this stand for the time being. A month hence we shall see the
same papers doing their best to impart renewed vitality to the organization, and as the elections
approach Republican and Democratic politicians will be bidding against each other for Fenian votes by
subscription to the cause and promises of support. The Americans may condemn Fenianism today
because it has sustained an inglorious defeat, but so seen as the ridicule attaching the ignominious
surrender of O’Neill to Marshal Foster and the skedaddle at Cook’s Corner’s and Trout River has been
forgotten, they will again afford it the moral and pecuniary support which it has along received. They
may temporarily join in ridiculing or denouncing it because of its ludicrous aspect or the injury it has
done the country, but their moral perceptions appear to be so blunted that they do not see it in the light
of any wrong and an outrage upon the people of Canada, and soon as it suits their interest or coincides
with their anti-British feelings to give it encouragement they will do so. We have not seen the last
Fenian raid yet by any means, and it behoves us to maintain that eternal vigilance which is declared to
be the price of liberty.
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Appendix F.1: The Fenian Song
Figure 6: A Fenian Song (Fowke 1973: 17)
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Appendix F.2: The Anti-Fenian Song
Figure 7: An Anti-Fenian Song (Fowke and Mills 1984: 98)
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Additional Versus:
1. In the morning by my side sat the darling of my pride,
And our happy children round us were at play,
When the news spread through the land that he Fenians were at hand,
At our country’s call we’ll cheerfully obey
REFRAIN: Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching!
Cheer up, comrades, let them come,
For beneath the Union Jack we will drive the Fenians back,
And we’ll fight of our belov’d Canadian home.
2. Should this poor deluded band dare set foot upon our land,
Or molest the rights of England’s noble Queen,
They will meet the British pluck- English, Irish, Scot, CanuckAnd they’ll wish themselves at home again, I ween!
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Appendix F.3: The Maple Leaf Forever
Figure 8: The Maple Leaf Forever (Fowke and Mills 1984: 104)
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Additional Versus:
1. In days of yore, from Britain’s shore,
Wolfe, the dauntless hero, came,
And planted firm Britannia’s flag on Canada’s fair domain.
Here may it wave, our boast, our pride,
And joined in love together
The Thistle, Shamrock, Rose entwine
The Maple Leaf forever.
REFRAIN: The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
The Maple Leaf forever.
God save our Queen, and heaven bless
The Maple Leaf forever.
2. At Queenston Heights and Lundy’s Lane
Our brace fathers, side by side,
For freedom, homes, and loved ones dear
Firmly stood and nobly died;
And those dear rights which they maintained
We swear to yield them never!
Our watchword ever more shall be
The Maple Leaf forever!
3. Our fair Dominion now extends
From Cape Race to Nootka Sound;
May peace forever be our lot,
And plenteous store abound:
And may those ties of love be ours
Which discord cannot server,
And flourish green o’er Freedom’s home
The Maple Leaf forever!
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References
Section A: Timeline
Anastakis, Dimitry. “Nationalism, Conflict and War in Ireland and Canada.” HIST 1500. Trent U, 20122013.
---. “The Terror of the Green Ghost: The Fenian Raids, 1866-1870.” HIST 1500. Trent U, 2012-2013.
Giersbach, Walt. The War That Never Happened. Military History Online.
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/19thcentury/articles/fenian.aspx 2007.
Johnson, Andrew. "Proclamation 155 - Warning Against Participation in an Expedition Against North
American Colonies of Great Britain," June 6, 1866. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The
American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=71989.
MacDonald, E. Who’s Afraid of the Fenians? The Fenian Scare on Prince Edward Island, 1865-1867.
Acadiensis XXXVIII (no. 1) 33-51.
MacDonald, John A (Capt.) Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870.
Toronto: W. S. Johnston, 1910.
Neidhardt, W.S. The American Government and the Fenian Brotherhood: A Study in Mutual Political
Opportunism. Ontario History. Janet Campbell, Kenneth McLaughlin and Paul G. Cornell (eds). Toronto:
Ontario Historical Society 64(1): 26-43. 1972.
---. The Fenian Brotherhood and West Ontario: The Final Years. Ontario History. Janet Campbell,
Kenneth McLaughlin and Paul G. Cornell (eds). Toronto: Ontario Historical Society 60(3): 149-161. 1968.
Ricketts, Bruce. The Fenian Invasions. Mysteries of Canada.
http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/Military/fenian_invasions.htm
Toner, P.M. The ‘Green Ghost’: Canada’s Fenians and the Raids. Eire-Ireland 16, p27-47.
For Further research:
 Trent University Archives 00-1000: George Y Clement Fonds (1913): Historical Paper No. 2. The
Fenian Raid of October 1871 into Manitoba (21 pages)
 Trent University Archives 70-1000: Fenian Raids Scrapbook, 1866.
Section B: Militia
Clark, M. E. Land of Shining Waters, “The Militia”. Peterborough Museum and Archives 88-013 Box 15:
Prince of Wales Rangers Fonds/57th Regiment, Peterborough Ranger Fonds.
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Dobbin. Organization of the 57th Battalion 1857. Peterborough Museum and Archives 88-013 Box 15:
Prince of Wales Rangers Fonds/57th Regiment, Peterborough Ranger Fonds. Pp25.
MacDonald, John A (Capt.) Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870.
Toronto: W. S. Johnston, 1910.
Poole, T. W. (Dr.) The Early Settlement of Peterborough County. Peterborough: Peterborough Review,
1867.
Pryde, D. P. (Major). The Military Existence in Peterborough. Peterborough Museum and Archives 88013 Box 15: Prince of Wales Rangers Fonds/57th Regiment, Peterborough Ranger Fonds.
---. Canada’s Soldiers. Peterborough Museum and Archives 88-013 Box 15: Prince of Wales Rangers
Fonds/57th Regiment, Peterborough Ranger Fonds. Pp 35-36.
For further research:
 Peterborough Museum and Archives: 1968-031: Peterborough Military History Collection. Items
include records of Lakefield Volunteer Militia Rifle Company (1862-1866); W.N. Kennedy general
order book from Fenian Raids (1866, October); 1st Battalion of Peterborough Militia (18471865); 57th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers (1866-1868, 1904)
 Peterborough Museum and Archives 86-034: Military Historical Diary, Peterborough and
Surrounding Area. Complied by Major David Pryde in two bound volumes and covers roughly the
1830s to the 1970s
 Trent Valley Archives: Dobbin Index (Finding Aid: 73-002). Explores the military history of the
57th Battalion that was written by F.H. Dobbin, as well as a collection of newspaper articles
regarding the Peterborough militia.
Section C: Participants
National Archives of Canada. Medals, Honours and Awards. Library and Archives Canada.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/medals/ 2010.
Peterborough Museum and Archives: P68-16
Trent Valley Archives. Fonds 312: Peterborough Veterans of 1866.
John Augustus Barron
Parliament of Canada. Barron, John Augustus, Q.C.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=ab17bb2c-d9f1-4ff6-9c507a72a3a1204b&Language=E&Section=ALL
RootsWeb. John Augustus Barron.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~millersomers/1116.html
Wikipedia. John Augustus Barron. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Augustus_Barron
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 56
Corelli Collard Field
Internet Archive. The Canadian Parliamentary Companion, 1887.
http://archive.org/stream/cihm_32959/cihm_32959_djvu.txt
John Wesley Kennedy
The Manitoba Historical Society. Memorable Manitobans: John Wesley Kennedy (1845-1910).
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/kennedy_jw.shtml
Hon. William Nassau Kennedy
Dictionary of Canadian Biography online. Kennedy, William Nassau. http://www.biographi.ca/009004119.01-e.php?BioId=39746
James Wesley Miller
The Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley 5(3): 15. November 2000.
Henry Cassidy Rogers
De Santis, Edward (Lieut-Col). Lieutenant Colonel Henry Schofield Rogers and the Rogers of
Peterborough: The Story of A Military Family. http://www.reubique.com/Rogers.htm 1990.
Peterborough Examiner. The “other” Rogers and his legacy of distinctive homes. January 8, 2011.
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2011/01/08/the-other-rogers-and-his-legacy-of-distinctivehomes
Peterborough Museum and Archives 1969-020 “Three Colonels.”
Thomas Rutherford
Peterborough Museum and Archives. Thomas Rutherford.
http://www.peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca/atworkrutherford.htm
Peterborough Museum and Archives: 1999-036: Peterborough Fire Brigade.
Henry Thomas Strickland
The Next Generation of Genealogy Site building. Marriage Record- Henry Thomas Strickland = Margaret
Rogers 1859. http://heddle.com/tng/showsource.php?sourceID=S211&tree=tree001
---. Family: Strickland, Henry Thomas/Rogers, Margaret Achsa.
http://heddle.com/tng/familygroup.php?familyID=F350&tree=tree001
F.R. Yokome
Internet Archive. Papers and Records.
http://www.archive.org/stream/papersrecords00lennuoft/papersrecords00lennuoft_djvu.txt
Appendix C.3: Fenian Men
Fenians.org Known Fenians Brotherhood Causalities Killed in Action or Died of Wounds 1866.
http://www.fenians.org/casualties/index.htm
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Roots web. Fenians. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/FENIANS/2001-03/0984245178
Appendix C.4: Fenian Men of Note
Lt. Edward K. Lonergan
Family Tree Maker. Edward K. Lonergan. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/f/e/n/Patricia-MFenerty/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0157.html 2009.
LaChiusa, Chuck. Edward R. Lonergan Monument. http://www.buffaloah.com/a/hc/lon/lon.html. 2012.
Fr. John McMahon
University at Buffalo: The State University of New York. Fr. John McMahon.
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~dbertuca/g/FenianRaid.html
Major John C. Canty
Vronsky, Peter. Ridgeway: The American Fenian Invasion and the 1866 Battle that Made Canada.
Toronto: Penguin Group. 2011.
For Further research:
 Peterborough Museum and Archives: 2000-005: Col. James Z. Rogers. A studio portrait of Col.
James Z. Rogers posing in his military dress uniform and wearing a Fenian Raid medal. The
portrait was made by Roy Studio. James Z. Rogers was founder of the Peterborough Canoe
Company in 1892.
Section D: Response
The Peterborough Examiner. Prisoners. 14 June 1866.
---. County of Peterborough Volunteers: To the Editor of the Peterborough Examiner. 21 June 1866.
---. Are there Fenians in Peterborough. 28 May 1868.
---. Fenianism not Dead. 23 June 1870.
For future research:
 Trent University Archives 98-015 David Brown Collection: Finding Aids: Series A, Item 19. Book
of newspaper clippings, dealing extensively with Orangeism, Fenian Raids, etc., 1866-1870s
Section E: Drill Instructions
Desbarats, G. E. Regulations respecting the Volunteer Militia: Published by Command of his Excellency
the Commander in Chief. Ottawa: Desbarats. 1866.
Garven, John (Capt.). Military Drill and Rifle Instruction Book for the Use of the Canadian Volunteers,
Under the Sanction of Colonel Dyde, Commanding the Active Force. Montreal: Rollo Campbell, 1862.
A H i s t o r y o f P e t e r b o r o u g h A r e a M i l i t i a a n d F e n i a n R a i d s | 58
Otter, W. D. (Lieut-Col.). The Guide: A Manual for the Canadian Militia Infantry embracing The Interior
Economy, Duties, Disciplines, Dress, Books and Correspondence of a Regiment in Barracks, Camp or at
home, with Bugle Calls and Instructions for Transport, Pitching Tents, etc. Willing & Williamson: 1880.
Trent University NO. 13574 CIHM.
Wallace, W. (Capt.). Instructive Handbook of Reference by Sections to Squad, Company, and Battalion
Drill. Trent University NO.92369 CIHM.
For further research:
Barber (Capt). The Duke of Cumberland’s Corps of Sharp-Shooters, Instructions for the Formation and
Exercise of Volunteer Sharp-Shooters. 1804.
Cooper, T. H. (Capt.). Infantry, A Practical Guide for the Light Infantry Officer. 1806
De Rotenberg. Regulations for the Exercise of Riflemen and Light Infantry. 1798 (Translated by Fawset).
Dundas. Rules and Regulations: For the Manual and Platoon Exercises, Formations, Field Exercise, and
Movements of His Majesty’s Forces, 1807.
Section F: Songs
Canada. Directorate of History: National Defence Headquarters. Report No. 47. 1952.
Canadian Border Songs of the Fenian Invasion of Canada, 1870. Microfiche FC. 226.C5. NO. 00954. Trent
University.
Fenian Songster: Erin Shall be Free, Let Irishmen Sing Their National Hymns. Philadelphia: Barclay and Co.
1866.
Fowke, Edith. Canadian Folk Songs. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, 1973.
Fowke, Edith and Alan Mills. Singing Our History: Canada’s Story in Song. Toronto: Doubleday Canada
Limited, 1984.
The Canadian Encyclopedia. Wars, Rebellions, and Uprisings.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/emc/wars-rebellions-and-uprisings 2012.
For further research:
Canadian Patriotic Songs and Melodies. Canadian American Music (Pub), 1902.
Peck, Kittie Revell. The March of the Silent Army. Peterborough Museum and Archives: 1969-008/1.
Song titles (no music was found):



Canadian National Hymn (Nordheimer, 1872)
Our Old Canadian Home (Woodlawn, 1868)
Shoulder to Shoulder, On to the Border (Henry Price)
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


The Canadian Volunteer’s Farewell (Nordheimer, 1866)
This Canada (Nordheimer, 1873)
Up Volunteers! (Nordheimer, 1865)