The Fenian Raids of 1866 – Part Two Dave Hoyt Following on Part One that dealt with the campaign and Battle of Ridgeway, we now delve into the particulars of the forces that fought therein and suggestions for wargaming the battle. It should be noted that numbers for the Fenian forces are approximate only; sources vary widely in their estimates. The Canadian/British numbers are more precise, as are the uniform details. I owe a great debt of gratitude for this part of the article to my good friend, Ken Cliffe of Atlanta, Georgia, who provided the game scenario and uniform details. The Armies and their Uniforms The Fenian regiments and companies were organized according to geographical region and were filled primarily with Civil War veterans, armed with the .58 caliber Springfield rifled musket. The vast majority of the men wore a mix of civilian and military dress although it seems that some may have sported a green version of the U.S. cavalry jacket. Most units probably bore a strong resemblance to the non-regulation and variously attired Confederate regiments of the Civil War. There would have been a broad mix of headgear, kepis and broad-brimmed etc., coats, and equipment, including knapsacks, bedrolls and haversacks. The distinguishing feature of Fenian units would have been their flags, of two probable types. The first was green with a goldembroidered harp, possibly with the letters “IRA” emblazoned below. The second had a rayed sun on a green field with the possibility of regimental designations arrayed across the main field. The Canadian militia was divided into Sedentary and Active Volunteer units, as per the Canadian Militia Act of 1855. The Sedentary units were armed and clothed at public expense and received regular training in order to provide a quick-response force to bolster the British regulars posted to the Canadas. The Act called for the formation of volunteer troops of cavalry, artillery batteries, and companies of rifles. Battalion formations were soon authorized and it was common practice to combine separate volunteer companies in close geographical proximity. Some battalions requested, and were granted, permission to form as infantry battalions rather than rifles (the essential difference was the colour of the coat: green for rifles, scarlet for infantry). These battalions ranged in size from the minimum six companies to ten. The 1863 Volunteer Militia Act authorized a company establishment of three officers and fifty-five men. British regular infantry regiments were organized in similar fashion. Infantry companies on campaign averaged about 50-60 officers and men. All infantry were armed with the 1853 pattern, .577 caliber Enfield rifled musket or the shorter 1858 pattern rifle. 2nd Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles This militia battalion was an amalgamation of several independent rifle companies, some of whom wore distinct uniforms. The majority of the companies wore the standard rifle green tunic and trousers with red facings. Belting and equipment was black and the shako was of the 186468 pattern with silver badge and green ball although it is likely the regiment wore the Kilmarnock, or “pork-pie,” forage cap while in the field. The 5th company, a converted foot artillery company, wore the blue tunic and trousers of the artillery although it is likely that by 1866 they had converted to the standard rifle green. The 4th company, originally the Highland

Rifle Company of Toronto, sported full Highland dress. This included a rifle green doublebreasted tunic with red facings, Black Watch tartan kilts (trews were worn in the field), and a Glengarry cap with long feathers. 13th Battalion (militia) This battalion was of the infantry type with red tunics, blue facings, white trim at collar, and white Austrian knots at cuffs. The shako was of the 1864-68 pattern with silver badge and white over red ball although it is more likely that a forage cap was worn on campaign; in fact, several period photos show both styles of headgear while in the field. Trousers were blue with red stripe on the outer seam; belting and equipment was white. Officers often put aside the red dress tunic and wore a plain blue frock coat with a red sash over the left shoulder, blue trousers with red stripe, white waist belt, and a peaked forage cap. York & Caledonia Rifles There is little extant information about the uniforms of these companies but assuming they were normal volunteer rifle companies, their dress would be similar to, if not exactly the same as, the majority of the QOR companies. Welland Canal Field Battery This unit was armed with Enfields and served as infantry in lieu of field guns. They wore the standard Royal Artillery uniform of blue tunic with yellow-piped red collar, red cuffs with yellow Austrian knots, and trousers with red stripe. Headgear was a short black busby with short white plume on left and red bag on right. Equipment and belting was white. Dunnville Naval Brigade This unit had no uniforms and was armed with the Enfield rifle. St. Catherine’s Battery of Garrison Artillery As with the Welland Canal Field Battery, this unit was armed with Enfields and operated as an infantry unit. They probably wore the Royal Artillery uniform as well. Governor General’s Body Guard This cavalry unit was dressed and equipped in the fashion of a British light dragoon regiment. Blue coatees sporting white facings and Austrian knots at the cuffs and trousers with two white stripes were worn. Belting was white. The headgear was the bell-topped shako with white plume but forage caps may have been worn in the field. Sometime during the campaign, the GGBG acquired high jackboots, a highly irregular addition to the uniform. British Regulars The regulars of the 16th and 47th Foot wore a red single-breasted, skirted tunic with vented cuffs (in contrast to the militia’s Austrian knots) and dark blue trousers. The shako was of the 1864-68 pattern with gold or brass badge but, as with the militia, the Kilmarnock forage cap was probably worn on campaign. Belts and ammo pouch were white. Officers wore the scarlet tunic. The regimental facings of the 16th Foot were yellow; the 47th Foot, white. 60th Rifles

A regular British regiment, this unit would have been seen wearing a uniform similar in most respects to the QOR.

Orders of Battle –Battle of Ridgeway Peacocke’s Chippewa Column 16th Foot (British regulars) – 4 companies, 200 men 47th Foot (British regulars) – 5 companies, 366 men 10th Royal Grenadiers – 8 companies, 417 men 19th Battalion – 5 companies, 225 men (three other companies were assigned to guard bridges) D Battery, 4th Brigade, Royal Artillery – 6 Armstrong guns St Catherines Battery of Garrison Artillery – numbers unknown, no guns Governor General’s Bodyguard – 1 troop, 55 men 60th Rifles – 3(?) companies, 150 men (arrived late, separate from Peacocke’s column) Booker’s Port Colborne Column Queen’s Own Rifles (2nd Battalion) – 10 companies, 480 men 13th Battalion – 6 companies, 265 men Caledonia Rifles – 1 company, 48 men York Rifles – 1 company, 47 men Welland Canal Field Battery – 62 men, no guns Dunnville Naval Brigade –46 men Irish Republican Army (Fenians) 7th IRA Regiment (Buffalo) – 165-300 men 13th IRA Regiment (Nashville) – 85-150 men 17th IRA Regiment (Louisville) – 110-150 18th IRA Regiment (Cleveland) – 165-300 men Independent Company (Terre Haute) – 75-100 men Troop of Scouts – estimated 20-25 Possible Fenian Reinforcements from in and around Buffalo (total = approx. 4,000 ?) 19th IRA Regiment (Ohio) 69th IRA Regiment (New York) 63rd IRA Regiment (New York) 88th IRA Regiment (New York) 2nd IRA Regiment (Buffalo) Note: Anywhere from 600 to 1,000 Fenians initially crossed over to Fort Erie. The most consistent estimate is approx. 800 to 900 at Ridgeway. The disparity in numbers could be ascribed to stragglers and deserters. The combined Canadian forces that fought the battle numbered about the same. The lower numbers of Fenians listed are from Fighting for Canada and amount to about 600; the strengths of the individual regiments are merely guesses. The higher numbers are cobbled together from various other sources.

Gaming Ridgeway The small numbers involved in the battle make this a relatively painless project. Rules that operate on the company scale (or lower) would be ideal. Setup is uncomplicated and straightforward; the Fenians occupy positions along Bertie Road and Ridge Road, and a forward skirmish line along Garrison Road. The Canadian militia companies should enter the battle along Ridge Road in column (except for 5/QOR in skirmish as the advance guard). The battle itself is also straightforward although some provision could be made for the false sighting of Fenian cavalry. What perhaps could make this fairly simple battle more exciting is the possibility of reinforcements. What if Peacocke had been more aggressive? What if Fenian reinforcements had crossed the Niagara? The timing of reinforcements would be a scenario-driven decision. Keep in mind what you are attempting to model. Peacocke’s possible arrival? or the Fenians? or both? Some sort of random die roll might be made to ensure a unit’s arrival on its reinforcement turn. The battlefield itself is also relatively easy to model. A slight rise from southwest to northeast is split fairly evenly down the middle by the edge of the lime ridge, which varies from a few feet to about ten feet high. Nowhere is it completely unassailable; in fact, for most of its length it is only a very minor terrain feature. The roads and lanes are lined with wooden fences and the fields dotted with small copses of trees. Suggested Order of British/Canadian Reinforcements First Reinforcement Turn: Governor General’s Body Guard and Royal Artillery, from the north along Ridge Road Second Reinforcement Turn: 16th infantry and 19th infantry, from the north along Ridge Road Third Reinforcement Turn: 47th infantry, 10th infantry and St. Catherines Battery of Garrison Artillery, from the north along Ridge Road Fourth Reinforcement Turn: Welland Canal Field Battery, Dunnville Naval Brigade, from the west along Garrison Road Fifth Reinforcement Turn: 60th Rifles, from the south along Ridge Road Booker should be rated as low as the command rating in the rules will allow. Peacocke should be rated slightly higher than Booker. When Peacocke arrives (during any reinforcement turn), he takes command of the battle. Suggested Order of Fenian Reinforcements First Reinforcement Turn: 19th (Ohio), 69th (New York) and 63rd (New York) Second Reinforcement Turn: 88th (New York) and 2nd (Buffalo) Only two waves of reinforcements can be brought over before the American authorities block any more crossings. Newly arrived troops enter the battle from the east and can be located no further south than any Fenian units on that flank are already located (thus, parallel with existing troops). O’Neill should be rated much higher than Booker or Peacocke, although probably not at the highest level in the rules (he wasn’t a Wellington or Napoleon, after all). Perhaps the Fenians could have some ability to detect the imminent arrival of Peacocke’s column or the Dunnville Naval Brigade? They did, after all, have a small contingent of mounted scouts. Special Rules

All infantry units and “rifles” (Canadian, British or Fenian) are trained to operate in formed or skirmish order. Appropriate light infantry rules should therefore apply. The Welland Canal Field Battery, the Dunnville Naval Brigade, and the St. Catherines Battery of Garrison Artillery, despite their names, operate as formed infantry. They cannot skirmish and have no artillery pieces. Because of the Fenians’ Civil War combat experience, the power of their musketry should be increased in some manner. Perhaps they could be allowed to fire twice in the same turn if they remain stationary (specifics would depend on the rules used). Although the 5/QOR had breech-loading rifles, they were issued immediately prior to the battle without training, and with very limited ammunition. Thus, from a gaming perspective, the Canadians should gain no benefit from these weapons. The Governor General’s Body Guard is the only cavalry that might be on the field, and these were no heavy battlefield cavalry. Only one troop took part historically and, for the most part, they performed only reconnaissance duties. Their battlefield impact should be minimal (but they would look damned nice!). Victory Conditions Relative victory in this battle is determined by how long the Fenians can remain on Canadian soil to wreak havoc on local commerce, versus how quickly the British/Canadians can drive them back to the US. Complete Fenian Victory: The invaders drive Booker and/or Peacocke’s column from the field. If Booker’s column is driven off, the Fenians can remain in position to await Peacocke’s arrival. If both British/Canadian columns are defeated, O’Neill captures or interferes with the Welland Canal, and draws vital British troops to the Niagara area, away from other planned Fenian invasion points. Partial Fenian Victory: The invaders draw out a battle with any British/Canadian troops until the end of the day. This tactic distracts enemy forces to the area, drawing them from other planned Fenian invasions. Complete British/Canadian Victory: Booker’s column drives the Fenians from the field before Peacocke’s column arrives. British/Canadian resources are preserved to be directed elsewhere. Partial British/Canadian Victory: Any British/Canadian force drives the Fenians from the field by the end of day. Bibliography Many of the more obscure works dealing with the Fenian raids are difficult to come by or access and I have not listed them here. This list is merely a few of the more accessible or most helpful books and articles. Denison, Major George T. 1866. History of the Fenian Raid on Fort Erie with and Account of the Battle of Ridgeway. Toronto: Rollo & Adam. Duggan, G.C. “The Fenians in Canada – A British Officer’s Impressions,” The Irish Sword 8 (31), 88-91. MacDonald, Capt. John A. 1910. Troublous Times in Canada – A Short History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870. Toronto: W.S. Johnston.

Owens, David. 2001. The Year of the Fenians. Buffalo: Western New York Heritage Institute. Reid, Brian A. 2000. “Prepare for Cavalry! The Battle of Ridgeway, 2 June 1866,” in Fighting for Canada – Seven Battles, 1758-1945, ed. Donald E. Graves, 137-184. Toronto: Robin Brass Studio. Senior, Hereward. 1978. The Fenians and Canada. Toronto: Macmillan Co. Senior, Hereward. 1991. The Last Invasion of Canada – The Fenian Raids, 1866-1870. Toronto: Dundurn Press.