The Fenian raid that triggered the Confederation

The Fenian raid is one of the most important historical events to take place on Campobello Island. The threat of invasion, despite the fact the “battle was never fought”, prompted New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to join the Confederation, thus giving birth to Canada.

The Fenian Brotherhood was founded in Dublin in the early 1860s. Its goal – to obtain Irish independence from Britain – gained widespread support in the United States due to the large number of Civil War veterans who were of Irish descent. According to The Last Invasion of Canada by historian Hereward Senior, in 1866 the Fenians developed a grandiose plan to invade and conquer Campobello Island hoping they could: “seize and hold a bit of British territory that would become the headquarters of the Irish Republic”. However, unable to keep the raid a secret, and victims of inside treachery, the Fenians were betrayed. The British discovered the upcoming attack, and in turn informed the Americans.

In New Brunswick, militia units and volunteers commenced preparing for the upcoming battle from Saint Croix to Campobello. On the American side, Fenian forces, numbering around one 1,000, gathered at Eastport and nearby towns. On April 14, 1866, the Fenians made a raid on Indian Island. Fear spread along the border and more forces were sent to the area, including British naval ships and the H.M.S. Duncan from Halifax. On April 19, American forces seized Fenian weapons from their ship, the Ocean Spray. On April 22, the Fenians made another attempt at Indian Island but were dispersed by British soldiers. Several shots were fired, but no one was injured or killed. Campobello Island therefore wielded global influence, by inducing New Brunswick to seek support and prevent future raids, therefore joining the confederation and forming Canada.

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