The Rebellions of 1837-38 would be fundamental in the shaping of the country. While unsuccessful, they would begin the path that would lead to concepts like responsible government, and ultimately to Confederation.
Artifacts of the period are here. They include an unusual cannon that was never fired.
Decades later, the American Civil War would be one of the underlying influences that would lead to Canadian Confederation. In the aftermath of that cataclysm, Irish-American veterans of the Union Army would launch the Fenian Raids into Canada on several occasions, an attempt to hold the country for ransom to force the British to divest all presence in Ireland. The Raids failed in their intentions.
This is a standard Union Army cap; many of the Raiders simply wore their uniforms from their days fighting the Rebels during the War as part of their endeavor into Canada.
A certificate and medals given for one of many involved in the efforts to drive out the Raiders.
And this is the uniform of one of them, a Canadian militia soldier named Justin Griffin. Other items would have been standard during the period.
A thought to ponder, why dress uniforms are designed to be ornate compared to combat uniforms.
ReplyDeleteThere is something with your comment settings, I have to comment as "Anonymous" (Gattina)
ReplyDeleteNo soldier would wear a red uniform today what a nice target he would be !
This is like a refresher course on Canadian history!
ReplyDelete...responsible government sounds good right about now.
ReplyDeleteHow great to see an instrument of war unused!
ReplyDelete@Maywyn: it is a big contrast.
ReplyDelete@Gattina: I wonder if blogger has a glitch.
@David: that's the idea.
@Tom: I think so.
@Marie: one wonders if it even could fire.
Much harm has been done in the name of land and power. We are wise to understand it.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood the red uniforms.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a dress uniform. I wonder if they wore those to fight.
ReplyDeleteI never knew what the Fenian raids wee all about.
ReplyDeleteThe red uniform must be for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteSiempre hay elementos que atenta con la soberanía de un país.
ReplyDeleteWar sure makes for history displays ~ lovely photos ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It's good that the uniform etc has been kept, it helps people to see what it was like back then
ReplyDeleteI always find the Fenian Raids confusing.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer: true.
ReplyDelete@Sharon: these days red serge is just for a dress uniform.
@Sandi: possibly. The Brits abandoned it as a field uniform by the time of the South African War.
@Red: it's complicated.
@Ventana: thank you.
@Carol: it does.
@Amy: quite true.
@RedPat: it's quite a story.
I think perhaps the red uniform is a dress uniform.
ReplyDeleteIt does look nice.
All the best Jan
Yes, but bright red was worn onto the battlefield.
DeleteSeems they should wear a color uniform that is not so easily spotted?
ReplyDeleteAs guns got more accurate, someone realized that wasn't such a good idea.
DeleteWe are shamefully ignorant of your history neighbor. Thank you for remedying that!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteAll memorabilia well preserved.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteImagine history study indoors warm and out of the snowy exterior, good time for it, freezing weather is almost beyond my imagination, although El Nina is raining some of us out, luckily not this town.
ReplyDeleteHere it's a cold day.
DeleteFabulous header.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever seen a piece of artillery that was never used.
How long would a cannon made of wood last if used in battle?
DeleteI had no idea that Irish-Americans did that. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt was a complicated time.
DeleteIn a perfect world all artillery should remain unused.
ReplyDeleteIdeally.
DeleteRevolution and liberation!
ReplyDeleteIn more than one way.
Delete