Reliving History: Fenian Raids at Old Fort Erie and Ridgeway

War-hardened Fenians had recently survived the U.S. Civil War, so they knew the benefits of moving to the cover of farmers’ fences. They took advantage of every opportunity at the Battle of Ridgeway and old Fort Erie. hey arrive in buses, and picks up his flintlock, he’s Reliving History: vans and cars, from the a member of the 1812 British U.S.A. and from across 49th Regiment of Foot Grena- Canada. Men and wom- diers. Fenian Raids Ten range from pre-teen drum- Everyone in combat signs mer boys and flag bearers, up a waiver for personal liability, to very retired seniors. They all and each of their weapons is at Old Fort Erie share a passion for history, an inspected for cleanliness, func- appreciation for the camarade- tion and the trigger safety. rie and a love of living under As he waits his turn, Ful- and Ridgeway canvas. They’re teachers, civic ton says few re-enactors carry workers, law enforcers, and original flintlocks or percus- Words & photos by Chris Mills myriad other real life profes- sion cap muskets. Pretty good sionals. But put a black powder replicas made in India sell for rifle in their hands, and this is $500 or $600, but Fulton and how they spend the weekend. his crew all carry genuine Ital- Women and children at war: women fought in 19th-century battles, Fenian re-enactors march from their camp to the battlefield. Private Dave Fulton, 54, is a ian Pedersoli replicas worth sometimes disguised as males. This woman is a fife player in the The flag of green with a gold harp shows artistic licence; it Toronto civic worker, but when about $1,200.“I’m a history regimental band, behind a boy flag bearer. In 1866 young sons was designed from a painting of the Battle of Ridgeway. he dons his British uniform fanatic,” says Fulton. “I love of soldiers could join the forces as flag bearers or drummers. Escarpment Views 12 ❦ Autumn 2010 ❦ Autumn 2010 13 Escarpment Views Reliving History Fenian raiders at old Fort Erie with a U.S. flag of the 155th New York Infantry, an Irish infantry from south Buffalo. British (Canadian) redcoats during the Battle of Ridgeway, before being overtaken by Fenians on the field at old Fort Erie. A blacksmith in real life, Helmut portrays one from the 19th century The Battle that Created Canada reenactments. It’s a lifestyle. And while his partner Sian portrays a I can attend other re-enactments lady selling homemade tinworks, Historians consider the Battle of Ridgeway, which was one of the Fenian Raids across the country by simply al- wooden toys and dry goods. against British North America in 1866, the battle that created Canada because it tering my uniform. Last year A flagbearer carries the flag of galvanized support across the country to create a Canadian Confederation against in Georgina, I’m a U.S. soldier the 155th New York Volunteer Infantry of Irish from south Buffalo, foreign intervention. sacking a town and shouting lib- still used in re-enactments of Following the end of the American Civil War, Irish-American “Fenians” bris- erty or death!” Today, he’ll play a Civil War and Fort Erie battles. tled at the occupation of Ireland by British soldiers and believed that they could Fenian to pump up the numbers. drive them out if they marched into and secured British Canada for ransom. Private Erin Bottrel, 45, is These were Civil War veterans, Confederates and Union, hardened in battle a British drummer in the 12th and skilled in warfare. Their mix of Confederate grey, Union blue and civilian York Regiment for York County. outfits made a fine mash underneath the flags of the gold and green Irish Re- He’s been a re-enactor for 20 publican Army. years. When he’s not in uniform About 1,000 of them crossed the Niagara River at Buffalo, NY, and secured he’s in anti-money laundering in the railways, the telegraph office and the old Fort Erie that had been destroyed in Toronto. His wife, Karen Seeley, 1814. They failed to recruit Irish Canadians in the region, so moved cross country 47, is a writer. to the town of Ridgeway where they handily beat Canadian militia of volunteers “The battle re-creation is for comprising several regiments from Hamilton, Toronto and locally. the audience, but we’re here for They then returned to the old fort where they faced more British Canadian the campfire talk, the period volunteers bringing up their rear, and routed them, too. The Fenians heard that authenticity, the tent life,” says thousands of British regulars were on their way and so abandoned the fort to Bottrel. “We put away the cell return to New York to check on expected supplies and reinforcements. phones and channel changers. On the water, Marine Guards of the USS Michigan arrested them and confis- It’s our chance to run away from cated all their weapons. it, however briefly. However, all There’s debate over whether the White House approved the raids as repri- of us, me included, are rather sal for British support of the Confederacy during the war. Andrew Johnson, the too old for what we’re portray- Enactors take pride in their authentic replica president, however, afterwards signed a declaration against the uprising and sent ing, since those soldiers in 1866 materials, including guns, General Ulysses S. Grant himself to ensure the Fenians were stopped. would all have been 17 to 25 or kit, clothes and tents. Continued on page 22 Escarpment Views 14 ❦ Autumn 2010 ❦ Autumn 2010 15 Escarpment Views Reliving History to do the living history part of it. too. My husband’s not into it but seum,” says Helmut as he pumps Hill, Niagara Parks Commis- It gives you a better perspective he knows that this is my form of the bellows on his fire. His wife is sion’s superintendent of heritage, of history, away from the text- escape.” usually with him, although she’s provides enlightening historical books.” Meanwhile, camp followers cut back on some of the longer commentary. Les (Leslie) Peplinski, a with their familiar canvas pavil- distances from home. Overnight, the rains come 37-year-old English and history ions include people like Sian, Active in re-enactments for 27 and pound red coats and blue teacher from Brantford, joined 43, and Helmut, 56, sutlers from years, Sian is a sociology profes- coats alike. In the morning, only the Civil War re-enactors 20 years Hamilton. Sutlers are merchants sor for an Ottawa university. She a handful has decamped, but ev- ago when as a 17-year old she be- who followed the soldiers to pro- makes wood and tin toys, and eryone else rises with remarkable came a drummer boy. vide services and merchandise for finished leather goods. She fell in cheer to fight another round. But “No one knows, but there’s them to buy. Helmut is a genuine love with the activity as a teenager this time the other side wins. belief that 400 to 500 Civil War blacksmith, but goes mobile on when she met friends who were Revisionism. Just for sport. EV soldiers were women,” she says. weekends. associated with Fort York in To- “Once you start, you don’t want “All my life I’ve been following ronto. Chris Mills photographs and writes to leave. We’re like a family. These re-enactments, except for a few When the battle begins, real about activities and subjects through guys practically raised me. My years in university, blacksmithing blasts fill the air; orders shout, the Niagara region. He hasn’t shot mom thought I was insane but at Black Creek Village and doing wounded die, and columns dis- a blackpowder gun in anger or strife now my three boys are into it, work for the Royal Ontario Mu- appear in the smoke while Jim in recent history. Guy Larocque of Quebec, in white shirt, keeps an eye Fenian re-enactors line up to receive a new flag, the on the Fenian rifles, most of true green and gold colours that they would have which are replica percussion- carried on their 1866 raids of British territory. cap black powder muskets. Continued from page 15 Re-enactment Society are Feni- ans. Their weapon of choice is a so. It’s a typical situation in the percussion cap musket, so every- re-enacting hobby since younger one has a PAL (possession and people are either not interested or acquisition licence). can’t afford it.” “Some people may think Greg Fekner, a Confederate we’re a bunch of crazy gun-loving with the 10th Louisiana Company yahoos,” says Fekner, “but we’re C, is actually a 29-year-old mu- educators and we’re entertainers. seum curator from Woodstock, We also know that one single ac- Ont., in his third year of re-en- cident would end it. That’s why actments. training and safety are primary. Today he and members of the It’s a great way to teach history for American Civil War Historical young and old, and it’s my chance NiEGGara Fest fundraises to provide financial assistance to hike along the Niagara Escarpment World much-needed local literacy programs. 10:00 a.m. to Biosphere Reserve. This unique conservation Sept. 18, 2010 presented by 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, area, rich in natural and cultural history, will please visit www.westfieldheritage.ca. delight and surprise you. All this and much Unit 113 – 1100 South Service Road more is waiting for you to discover,at Niagara’s Stoney Creek Halloween – Westfield – Oct.

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