Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870

"Troublous Times in Canada" by Capt. John A. MacDonald is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work focuses on the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870, detailing the attempts by Irish nationalists to invade Canada from the United States during a turbulent period in Irish-British relations. The author, a veteran of these campaigns, aims to shed light on the bravery of Canadian volunteers who defended their homeland against these invasions. At the start of the narrative, MacDonald sets the stage by outlining the political climate in Ireland and the rise of the Fenian Brotherhood in the 1850s and 1860s. The author describes the motivations behind the Fenian invasions, identifying key figures and events leading up to the raids. He emphasizes the lack of awareness among contemporary Canadians regarding these significant historical events, positioning the Fenians not just as aggressors but as part of a larger quest for Irish independence that had far-reaching implications for both Canada and Britain at the time. The opening chapters provide a glimpse of the tensions building along the Canadian border and the anxious preparations of volunteers responding to the imminent threat of invasion.