some plans for this year

So I should make a basic plan for some games I might be able to get into this year.

1. First up should be some Rebellion of 1837. Now that I have sufficient early 19th century types, I should be able to put some of the battles for this.

2. Fenian Raids. Another project I have wanted to do for a bit, eventually I should see about getting some Crimean War types for Canadian Militia. The Fenians will be made up of the remaining Cowboy types I have.

3. Crimean War actions: I still have some Russian figures and in a pinch, I can throw in some French Foreign Legion types. The British will just have to make due with the Napoleonics I have.

4. Riel Rebellion. The one action I haven't fought so far is Batoche. I have enough earthwork type stuff and terrain effects that I could put together Metis rifle pits.

5. Majuba 1881. Now this is a battle I'll have to draft in several different figures. And eventually, I should be able to get some late 19th century Highlanders.
The Boers will have to come from my cowboys.

6. Indian Munity 1857. Wargames illustrated has some ideas I'm going to try out.

Sean Cullen On The Fenian Raids: Something You Might Not Know About Canada

A funny clip about the Fenian Raids

Confederate or Fenian Cavalry

I was able to pick up a box of Italeri Confederate Cavalry. I will paint these up for conflicts in North America of 1861-75. Pictures to follow.


I based them on balsam wood using regular white glue.

The Last Fenian Raid (1989) Bordertown. Richard Comar, John H. Brennan ...

 From a Canadian TV show in the 1980s, using the Fenians raids as a plot for an episode.

fenian-raids-old-forterie-2011.mp4

 Fort Henry Guard and other reenactors show the Fenians raids on Canada.

My Mid 19th century Canadian militia against Fenians.

As mentioned in other posts, the Fenians and Canadian militia squared off several times. Thanks to www.juniorgeneral.org  and www.plasticsoldierreview.com for these images.

















Below are some types of uniforms which could have been seen in this conflict.

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.

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.