Spoons ~ a short story written by Michael Plemmons

We wanted to share this incredibly thought provoking and poignant short story written by our dear friend Michael Plemmons. He is the author of Fianna and the catalyst for the inspiration behind our Fenian Raid. Enjoy!

Spoons

www.the-fabulist.org

By Michael Plemmons "Spoons" is an odd and poignant little yarn about an affectionate old dog that's been in the family since the Civil War. Writing in a naturalistic, conversational style, autho

Fenian Raid 2013 has been POSTPONED

It is with extremely saddened and heavy hearts that we must inform you that the Fenian Raid Celebration is postponed for this year. However, we will be back Labor Day weekend 2014 (Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31) even bigger and better! We have lots of exciting new adventures about the Atkinson Brothers and little known stories about their dedication and contribution to furthering the dreams and visions of the Fenian Brotherhood and their personal dedication and commitment to growing the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan. Please mark your calendars for this fun filled family event. (And thank you for your kind understanding and consideration.)

Taking the oath seriously...

Rhett Butler and Luke Wallace take the Fenian Oath very seriously.

Following the piper...

Kris Hunt leads the procession from the stage to the cannon firing during the opening ceremony.

A very lively look at the history of death...

Death, (the topic) is a part of the weekend's activities. It isn't a morbid or unhappy experience. In fact, we provide an entertaining and amusing look at nineteenth-century mourning customs. This event proves to be as enjoyable as it is educational.

Dressed in the formal mourning clothes of the nineteenth-century, our bereaved prepare to pay their respects for our departed soldier. Front row L to R: Luke Wallace, Bethany Brenner and Katherine Reisig. Standing is Trish Moss.

The mourners gather...

What do you do with two too many widows?

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

The opening and closing ceremonies feature black powder demonstrations...

The Opening Ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 31.       The Closing Ceremony will commence at 4:30 PM on Sunday, September 1.

Paul Miller and Michael Plemmons

Paul Miller of WPHM radio interviews author Mike Plemmons. This chat took place in March, 2010 prior to the launch of Fianna.

http://3apublishing.com/media/311michaelplemmons-fianna.mp3

Enjoy!

Blue Water Sportsman's Association Educate and Entertain

Not only do the artillery and black powder members entertain the crowd with their skills in exhibiting cannon and musket firing - they educate our visitors!

 Norm Gibson explains the whole process of creating the ammunition to a group of visitors.

In creating Fianna...

"Our main focus was the Atkinsons and McMullens. But we do include source material which (to the best of our knowledge) is presented for the first time. The undercover Pinkerton investigation of Midwestern Fenian circles has not been  detailed  elsewhere. We  include a  rare  inter view with Fenian commander William Atkinson.  Also: a sidebar on the Fenians’ long theological battle with the Catholic Church, including a vignette of the Rev. John McMullen and his Fenian friend – the Civil War hero James Mulligan. This, too, is new to Fenian scholarship.

O n e s p e c i a l n o t e :   n o t h i n g h e r e i s f i c t i o n a l i z e d  o r supposed. There are places where a novelist might be tempted to pick up his pen, but we stick to what we can verify – even if it leaves a tantalizing loose thread. Any conjecture is identified as such.

Writing  is reading.  For a work of this kind, the ratio is one to ten.  This writer benefited from indispensible research assistance and – above all – the wisdom and generous support of editor-publisher Ray McCormack.  We thank Vicki Reynolds Mazur, a family historian whose dedication over many years has produced a trove of information and insights.   And Joe Ann Burgett was a tremendous help sleuthing her way through a mosaic of sources in Detroit and Port Huron."    

From 'Fianna' written by Michael Plemmons. 

©Ray McCormack, 3A Publishing

Black Powder Artillerymen and Infantry

One of the highlights of the weekend is the night firing of the cannons provided by the 
Blue Water Sportsman's Association Artillerymen.
The event will take place at dusk on Saturday, August 31st.

You won't want to miss it. 

Welcome...

Talented historians and period reenactors are on hand to welcome you to take a trip with us back in time to earlier days when Desmond Landing served as the second largest port of entry into the United States. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world gathered here to begin a new life. Please join us.

Port Huron and how it grew...

"Port Huron after the Civil War was known for a signature sound that could be heard miles upriver… and across the way in Canada. Edison remembered it from his boyhood as an incessant gnawing “hum” of enormous circular and vertical blades. More than a dozen screaming saw mills – many powered by new steam-driven machines – operated from first light to last along the busy Black and St. Clair river fronts.

The city was in the midst of a timber boom as Michigan in the late 1860s became the nation’s primary source for construction-grade lumber. Some of the dirt streets were not yet named, nor were all the houses numbered, but what once had been little more than a trading post now boasted a couple of small shipyards, two feisty newspapers, a large bank, a rail line, even a high school."

From 'Fianna' written by Michael Plemmons. ©Ray McCormack, 3A Publishing

Where You Can Find Us On Labor Day Weekend

Desmond Landing Port Huron, MI

Where You Can Find Fianna

Learn more about the Atkinson brothers and their role in the Fenian Brotherhood for yourself. Please visit www.3apublishing.com to take a peek at Fianna ad order a copy for yourself.

Author, Michael Plemmons at the book launch.    September, 2011    

Uniforms for the Soldiers and Civilian Reenactors

Each soldier who participates in this event must provide his own uniform and gear. In researching the Fenians we have learned that the men wore the uniform (Blue or Gray) that they mustered out of the Civil War in. Many of them wore blue jeans, a shirt and vest and/or a jacket. We know that many of them wore a green shirt under their uniform and a Keppy hat with a sprig of boxwood in the brim to signify they were a part of the Fenian Movement.

We were asked if we were going to have set uniform standards. Since this was an army of 'rag tag' soldiers there were no strict uniform guidelines to follow. Many of the men were impoverished from their tenure as soldiers and there was no financing available for fancy uniforms. Therefore, we ask that you consider the same dress code for this event that you would adhere to in any other encampment you participate in. Civilian reenactors are welcome! We are also seeking period correct artisans and vendors as well as musicians. Thank you!

Melding the past with the present

A group of devoted historians and researchers have worked diligently for over six years to plan and produce an exciting and educational international event that will tell the fascinating story of The Fenian Brotherhood and their dreams of freedom and justice.

You may share with us on Labor Day Weekend 2013 (and every Labor Day Weekend for many years to come) at Desmond Landing in Port Huron, MI as we tell the story of the Irish-American army, at one point in time 80,000 strong, known as the Fenian Brotherhood. This blog will tell that story and the adventures we experience during the journey to bring the past to the present. Join us, won't you?

"This is the story of an Irish-American army – at one point 80,000 strong – known as the Fenian Brotherhood. They were the only private military organization ever permitted, actually encouraged, to organize and acquire arms and freely operate within the United States." From 'Fianna' written by Michael Plemmons. ©Ray McCormack, 3A Publishing