Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1903 — FENIAN FLAG AS A RELIC [ARTICLE]

FENIAN FLAG AS A RELIC

One Carried Into Canada Presented to Buffalo Historical Society. A faded green silk flag, with one corner torn into ribbons, has been placed In the collection of the Buffalo Historical Society. It is a relic of the Fenian invaders who crossed into Canada from Buffalo on the night of May 21,18015, and who had to comeback a few days later, after having thrown Canada into a spasm of terror. Tills flag went through what is known as the battle of Ridgeway, which village is now more familiar to Buffalonians as tiie town back of Crystal beach. The flag was formally presented to the Historical Society by James McElroy, in wliosfi family it had been for a long time, and by D. E. Mahoney. The exercises were held in the society’s lecture room. About 200 persons were present. President Andrew Langdon, in response to a few remarks made by Mr. Mahoney, said he was reminded of an incident that came under his 'observation while in the office of the president of a large New York bank. “It was during a political campaign and one of the other officers, coming into the room hung up the portrait of one of the candidates," lie said, “The president immediately said: ‘Take that down, We have no politics here.’ It's the same way with us. We accept relics whether we approve of them or not and we accept the flag for its historical interest.” The flag, which was carried by the Buffalonians who took part in the invasion, is nine feet long and six feet wide. In the upper left-hand corner a golden sunburst was once painted on the background of green silk, but its outlines were destroyed by a Canadian ball tliat tore through the flag at the battle of Ridgeway. That portion of the flag is merely a collection of tatters now. Running in a line slanting upward and that begins beneath the sunburst are tlw> following words in golden letters: “Buffalo, Seventh Regiment, Irish Army of Liberation.” Beneath this is the following inscription placed on the flag after the Fenians had returned from Canada: “Ridgeway and Fort Erie, Juno 2, ISHO.” Occupying tiie center of the right-hand half of tiie flag is the following, also, in golden letters: “Presented by the Fenian Sisterhood of Buffalo, May 0, 18*5(5.” Part of this lettering is torn, tiie result of a bullet. The flag was carried to Fort Erie, Ontario, with the 900 Fenians who took part in the invasion, says the Buffalo Express. After having driven tho Canadian militia near Ridgeway to retreat and then having to retreat themselves before a body of Canadian regulars the Fenians hurried back to Fort Erie. While trying to cross the river the Fenians were arrested by American forces. Later they were released. The United States government authorities returned the torn flag to the local Fenian organization.