Turning Back the Fenians: New Brunswick’s Last Colonial Campaign (New Brunswick Military Heritage Series) [Paperback]

Robert Dallison (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0864924615 | ISBN-13: 978-0864924612 | Publication Date: November 3, 2006 | Edition: No edition

In the early 1860s, Irish immigrants in the United States were eager to help the Fenian brotherhood overthrow the British in Ireland. The American Fenians’ mission: to invade British North America and hold it hostage. New Brunswick, with its large Irish population and undefended frontier, was a perfect target. The book tells how, in the spring of 1866, a thousand Fenians massed along the St. Croix River and spread terror among New Brunswickers. When the lieutenant-governor called in British soldiers and a squadron of warships, the Fenians saw that New Brunswick was no longer an easy target, and they turned their efforts against central Canada. The Fenian “attacks” and the demand for home defence fanned the already red-hot political debate, and a year later, in July 1867, New Brunswick joined Confederation. Turning Back the Fenians is volume eight in the New Brunswick Military Heritage Series.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In the 1860s, New Brunswick experienced its own brand of international terrorism. The Fenian Brotherhood sought the ouster of the British from their beloved Ireland and found support among Irish-American immigrants. Eager to help the cause, the American Fenian sympathizers planned to invade British North America and hold it hostage. New Brunswick, with its large Irish population and undefended frontier, seemed the perfect target. In the spring of 1866, a thousand Fenians massed along the southwest border of New Brunswick. But when Lieutenant-Governor Arthur Hamilton Gordon revitalized the New Brunswick militia, calling in British soldiers and a squadron of warships, the force proved too much for the enemy, who retreated and turned their efforts against the more vulnerable central Canada. The threat of this Fenian attack fanned the flames of an already red-hot political debate, and a year later, in 1867, New Brunswick joined Confederation.

About the Author

Robert L. Dallison served for 35 years with the Canadian Army, retiring as a lieutenant-colonel. Prior to joining the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry he completed a B.A. (History and International Studies) at the University of British Columbia. He has travelled the world, serving with the United Nations in Cyprus, and as staff intelligence officer in Germany. A graduate of Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College, he is a highly respected historian. Upon his retirement, he became the director of the award-winning Kings Landing Historical Settlement, in Prince William, New Brunswick, a position he held from 1992 to 2002. In addition, he has been president of Fredericton Heritage Trust and was the New Brunswick representative on the Board of Governors for Heritage Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Goose Lane Editions; No edition edition (November 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864924615
• ISBN-13: 978-0864924612
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,545,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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