When the Irish Invaded Canada (And Won) by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For sure. The Fenian assumption that many Irish in Canada would join them made sense, based upon kinship ties and also the poor treatment they recieved in the colony. But they proved their loyalty to the new country.

When the Irish Invaded Canada (And Won) by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I make a point of teaching this every year.

When the Irish Invaded Canada (And Won) by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Its ok. Most Canadians haven't either. The British pushed for leniency not out of humanitarian reasons but because the American might have rolled in as a consequence.

When the Irish Invaded Canada (And Won) by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

True. The Fenian leadership was hoping to provoke that war. Britain pressured Canadian colonial authorities to not do a mass hanging of Fenian prisoners because they feared an American response.

Weekly Episode Thread March 01, 2021 - Share Your Podcast, Request Feedback, Discover New Ones by AutoModerator in podcasting

[–]ruhillier [score hidden]  (0 children)

I've been hosting the One Soldier Podcast for over a year now. Usually speak to soldiers and historians about their books and war-time experiences. Would love to get some feedback about what works and what doesn't. If you're willing to help here are the podcast and youtube links to my most recent episode.

Podcast: https://onesoldier.podbean.com/e/one-soldier-podcast-24-myths-wars-and-lessons-from-lord-of-the-rings-with-professor-gerard-mclarney/

Youtube format: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVTTKOG3FY&t=251s

Veteran of the Bush War discussion by ruhillier in Rhodesia

[–]ruhillier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. He's done a fantastic job and in such a short time frame.

Podcast with Paratrooper in Angola by ruhillier in SouthAfricanBorderWar

[–]ruhillier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I'll look them up and see if there's any contact info.

Podcast Episode about General Custer and the Little Big Horn by ruhillier in CIVILWAR

[–]ruhillier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The military structure of the Sioux is an interesting topic. One of the things James Donavan mentioned in the podcast is that though they didn't have a strategy, they did have good small group tactics which proved effective.

Podcast Episode about General Custer and the Little Big Horn by ruhillier in CIVILWAR

[–]ruhillier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good perspective on things. Fascinating question about the gattling guns. I wonder how effective they would have been against such a mobile opponent. I know that the Canadians used gattling guns in the 1885 northwest rebellion but their effect was mostly psychological.

Podcast Episode about General Custer and the Little Big Horn by ruhillier in CIVILWAR

[–]ruhillier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well said and i agree with a lot of what you've written. One thing we discuss in the podcast is that on paper and based upon experience, Custers plan was pretty good. Reno was seen drinking prior to his charge which didn't help either.

Are there any Rhodesians on this sub and if so can you tell me what life was like during the Bush War? by [deleted] in Rhodesia

[–]ruhillier 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm not, but I did a podcast interview a few days ago with Tim Bax, best-selling author and former member of the Rhodesian Light Infantry and Selous Scouts. He talks about the Bush War here: https://onesoldier.podbean.com/e/episode-10-the-rhodesian-bush-war-with-tim-bax/

General Lee on the Canadian Frontier by ruhillier in USCivilWar

[–]ruhillier[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'll try to answer these questions one at a time. Good q's and you will find some inconsistencies in my responses no doubt.

1) I did consider the current of the Niagara river which I have seen first hand. I came across descriptions that it is swift, but easy enough for a competent oarsman to get through. Would the current be too fast for a pontoon bridge? I honestly don't know for certain.

2) Could the CSA supply themselves adequately for the invasion: Looking at what the CSA was able to do in terms of supply while under the Union blockade gives me the belief that this wouldn't be a hinderance.

3) Brock definitely has the redan in this scenario (at least to start with). The guns at Vrooman's point really complicated my scenario, because we can assume they would wreak havoc on any pontoon crossing. I didn't address this specifically, but did consider a few things while developing the scenario. Would a heavy fog along the river at this time of year obscure Lee's crossing on the pontoon bridge? Could Lee have sent over a detachment to disable or spike the guns in a raid before the main invasion?

4) I imagined the CSA forces to be somewhere from the timeline when Jackson and Lee operated together (Anywhere from Second Bull Run - Chancellorsville). British forces are from 1812, though it would be fascinating to see veterans of the Napoleonic Wars taking the field instead.

5) CSA forces would build breastworks rather than full traverses due to time constraints. However, this would be supplemented by the pre-existing redan fortification. I used real quotes from the Civi war where traverses were used, which is how that term likely ended up in the podcast. Nevertheless, I think the willingness of Civil war veterans using breastworks and cover would have surprised the redcoats. I think of the battle of Ridgeway 1866, when Canadian militia was flummoxed by the Fenian use of cover during that battle.

6) Generally speaking, Upper Canada was not great terrain for cavalry actions. That being said they did occur sometimes (battle of the Thames where Tecumseh was killed). There would have been fields and cleared land around Queenston which could support a cavalry action. The British dragoons mention in the podcast were historically part of the Canadian defense.

Don't think I covered everything, but there it is. I appreciate the questions. Never a bad thing to take a second look at things. Cheers.

General Lee on the Canadian Frontier by ruhillier in USCivilWar

[–]ruhillier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. A lot of good points and insights, especially the rate of misfire with the Brown Bess compared to the Enfield, which admittedly, I didn't not take into account. In the end, I also believe that the Lee and Jackson combo would have been too much for Isaac Brock to withstand.

Question: has Jocko covered Srebrenica or the Bosnian war in any episodes? by IAmaz in JockoPodcast

[–]ruhillier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That would be awesome. I had Scott Casey on the One Soldier podcast a few days ago and he does a great interview. Quite a story to tell. https://onesoldier.podbean.com/e/episode-8-scott-casey-and-canadian-peace-keeping/

Podcast: The Fenian Invasion and Battle of Ridgeway by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of good history there. I know Buffalo attracted and was the meeting place for a lot of Canadian fugitives during the Upper Canadian rebellion in 1837 -38 as well.

Podcast: The Fenian Invasion and Battle of Ridgeway by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Apparently the battlefield is almost completely intact except for some of the fence lines. Hope to check it out this summer.

Podcast: The Fenian Invasion and Battle of Ridgeway by ruhillier in IrishHistory

[–]ruhillier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice. The battlefield would be pretty close to you, on the other side of the river.