"Fenian Raids, Fenian regiments?" Topic

Hello. I'm just wrapping up the Fenian regiments that were at the battle of Ridgeway, the 13th Nashville, 7th Buffalo, 7th Louisville, 18th Cleveland Rangers, 19th Cincinnati and the company of Louisiana Tigers and I was wondering if there were any other "named" Fenian regiments that existed at some point and what is know of any uniforms they might've worn?
Thanks.

Uniforms were mix of old union and civilian garments,,some in the second Fenian rebellion even had green piped yellow ..but was not the norm.As far as the names you have it for the first as the other brigades never crossed over successfullyl,I have been getting ready to paint Canadian units. I am just going to touch up paint some extra Pennslyvannia unions I had w/blue coats and grey paints for my Fenians.

It's been a while but Vronsky's book on Ridgeway gives some details of the regiments there and some bits of information of "uniforms" within the regiments. I will have to check out what he mentions when I return from work.

Get a hold of Ken Cliffe at "All the King Men"

link

Ken is a displaced Cannuck, who is big into Fenian raids and makes figures for them. Great guy with a cool company.

Known him for years, since before he started ATKM. He's an excellent painter and converter. Very friendly!!

Also try "With McDuff on the Web". Ross MacFarlane's site that features lots of great info.
Ross and Ken are the two to know.

I think that they had a Yahoo Fenian's Raid page. Dunno if it's still up.

Prince Albert
Thanks but I have Vronsky's book and am basing my Fenian's on it. What I was wondering if there were other named Fenian regiments that weren't at Ridgeway.

This may be a little late, but you might reference "The Irish Sword", Vol.XVI, No. 65, Winter 1986. An article on the Battle of Ridgeway by P.B. Ellis lists 2 independent companies commanded by CPT. Hugh Haggerty (raised in Terre Haute, Indiana) with O'Neill's force.

A list of casualties includes Color Sergeant Michael Cochrane (killed) serving with the independent companies, PVT. Thomas Lynch (wounded) of the Indiana Cavalry (!) attached to the independent companies, and SGT. James Shelly (wounded) of CPT. Boland's independent cavalry company attached to the 17th (Louisville) Regiment.

Not what most of us would call a battle. Most Civil War bar brawls had more casualties, although I can't think of a winner with a higher desertion rate….

Just wondering how many casualties make a battle in your books?

Not what most of us would call a battle.

As a Canadian, who lives quite close to the Battle of Ridgeway, I must agree with Beaumap. The actual battle was a very small affair. And as the largest of the Fenian invasions, it had very little positive effect on the Fenian cause. The great importance of Ridgeway was that it provided a military impetus to MacDonald's idea of Confederation. It was a small spark that added to the flame in building Canada. I think it is possible that the press and certain politicians had a hand in building up the importance of the Fenian conflict for their own ends.

It's been a while but Vronsky's book on Ridgeway gives some details of the regiments there and some bits of information of "uniforms" within the regiments.

Same here, but my impression was that the information on the uniforms was that they were not "uniform". I doubt anyone could tell the 13th Nashville from the 7th Buffalo by looking at their clothing. They probably had distinct flags but that is a matter of conjecture too. The best examples of Fenian flags come from the conflict in Ireland, and not North America.

Apparently, the IRA Harp flag and the 32 Star flag were both carried at Ridgeway, at least according to this site:

link

Actually, reading through Vronsky's book again, he states that Fenian
clothing was varied. But he makes the following distinctions:

17th Louisville – blue army jackets with green facings

19th Cincinnati – green shirts and green caps

New Orleans Louisiana Tigers – regular all grey Confederate outfits

Hope that helps.