The Dark side of Life in Victorian Halifax

This volume by Judith Fingard I purchased when a Private in the 78th Highlanders and Gunner of the Royal Artillery. It gave some insight in interpreting how the life of most soldiers and civlians intereacted in Halifax during the last decades of British garrison in Halifax.


Even during some of our training lectures, it was noted that fights between soldiers and sailors were common place. Our waist belts would become weapons and wore and behold any soldier who couldn't pipeclean the bloodstains out of his belt for morning inspection!

Queen Victoria's Little Wars

This volume by Byron Farwell (1985) was a good text covering a wide era of military history. The Red River Rebellion (1870) and Riel Rebellion (1885) are both covered.


I have this back in Canada in storage as I did a British History course at university.

Osprey Publishing - The British Army on Campaign (3)

Osprey Publishing - The British Army on Campaign (3)


This volume discusses the British Army's involvement in the Red River Rebellion, as well as the Fenian Raids on Canadian territory.

Osprey Publishing - Canadian Campaigns 1860–70

This volume covers the Fenian and the Red River Rebellion, Canada's first test as a nation.
Sadly, the Metis people would suffer for their fight for their human rights.

Osprey Publishing - Queen Victoria’s Highlanders

Osprey Publishing - Queen Victoria’s Highlanders


Of the Highland regiments covered in this volume is the 78th Rosshire Buffs, which I have discussed in a previous post. It looks like a good read.

The 78th Highlanders, the Rosshire Buffs, Canadian garrison 1866-71

The 78th Highlanders, The Rosshire Buffs were the British Regiment sent to Canada from 1866-71. During that time, they were garrisoned in Montreal, Quebec, then Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 my wife standing with a female sentry of the 78th Highlanders. 

When I served in the recreated regiment as part of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association, I remembered hearing a story about some of the more colourful members.


Since the 78th had served in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, they were considered the Saviours of Indian. (Though that should probobly be Saviours of British India.) One of the Regimental mascots was an elephant. One of the Sargeants was responsible to taking care of said elephant. Since soldiers will find anyway to fend off boredom, usually in the intake of India Pale Ale, said Sgt. would have a bet on to see who could drink more ale, him, or the elephant. So they would take on bets to see who could do it. There were many times both Sgt. and elephant would be plastered.
When the regiment moved down to Halifax, the Sgt went down, the elephant didn't. This may have been due to the cold of Montreal during the winter, or copious amounts of ale. If that was the case, I suppose the poor thing died somewhat happy.

The catalist for Confederation, The Fenian Raids 1860s

In today's modern world, it may seem laughable that a group of Irishmen could think that they could invade British North America, hold it for ransome to drive the British from Ireland.


But then again, insurgent groups do tend to put people in a bit of a fuddle.

The battle of Ridgeway, 2 June 1866

The Fenian troops, initially successful in their first engagement against the somewhat confused Canadian volunteer militiamen, had to retreat back to the United States as more Canadian and British troops converged on the Niagara peninsula. Fenian raids across the Quebec border were repulsed a few days later. (Library and Archives Canada)

Volunteer wearing frock coat, Canadian Volunteer Militia, 1866

Canadian volunteer wearing the infantry frock adopted by a few units beginning in 1866. This was a simpler garment than the full-dress coat, made with less ornamentation. The cut was often somewhat looser, with several pleats down the front. A lesser quality material was used for these frocks. Combined with the forage cap seen in this picture, the result was a relatively practical service dress by the standards of the 1860s. This volunteer carries a Snider-Enfield breech-loading rifled musket, the most advanced British infantry weapon available when it was first issued. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

Fenian infantryman, 1870

Most Fenians seem to have worn civilian clothing, but some units did manage to provide themselves with uniforms. The green shell jacket this man wears is based on a surviving relic taken as a trophy during the skirmishes along the Quebec-Vermont border in 1870. Reports of O'Neil's 1866 Fenian army at Ridgeway mention that the Louisville company of the 17th Kentucky Regiment had blue army jackets with green facings, while a company of the 18th Ohio Regiment called the 'Fenian Cleveland Rangers' wore green caps and green shirts. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

Canadian volunteers of the 50th Battalion 'Huntingdon Borderers' engage Fenian raiders

This battle occurred at Eccles Hill near Ormstown, Québec, on 27 May 1870. The Fenians were defeated and fled back into Vermont. (cmhg.gc.ca)


Below is the bayonet the Canadian militia would have used, as all their military training came from the British army. I also did this as a 78th Highlander.

British North America 1864

This year, 2014 is the 150th Anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, the beginnings of Canadian confederation.  This blog will go over the history of the founding of my home and native land.


It will also cover the various militia units which were formed in replication of the volunteer movement in Great Britain.


The Snider-Enfield rifle was the service weapon I was issued with while as a Private in the 78th Highlanders, the Rosshire Buffs.

This blog will cover my games and reference books of the period. Eventually I will be restructuring the posts with my own pictures from my own collection once back in Canada.