An overlooked clash that occurred in Canada a year prior to Confederation might not resonate widely among Canadians beyond Fort Erie, Ontario, but it holds significance in several historical aspects. The 1866 Battle of Ridgeway, also known as Limestone Ridge, marked the first instance of Canadian troops under Canadian leadership engaging in combat. Additionally, it served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, an antecedent to Remembrance Day observed annually in certain regions of the country.
Despite these historical milestones, the nine individuals who perished in the battle are absent from the Books of Remembrance, a compilation on Parliament Hill commemorating soldiers who died in service to Canada. A recent petition, scheduled for presentation in the House of Commons, aims to have these nine soldiers and the numerous others who lost their lives following the battle included in the list.
Conservative MP Fred Davies, the sponsor of the petition in Parliament, emphasized the importance of acknowledging those who sacrificed their lives in defense of Canada. Representing the Niagara South riding that encompasses Fort Erie, Davies expressed the personal significance of the battle site and advocated for national recognition of the events that transpired there.
The Battle of Ridgeway was not a resounding victory for Canada, as inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, predominantly comprised of American Civil War veterans. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement seeking Irish independence from British rule, attempted to seize parts of British North America to leverage for their cause. In response, around 800 Canadian volunteers from various regiments engaged the raiders at Limestone Ridge, near Ridgeway and Fort Erie.
Historian Peter Vronsky, author of “Ridgeway: The American Fenian Invasion And The 1866 Battle That Made Canada,” highlighted the rapid mobilization of Canadian forces from the Golden Horseshoe region. However, he noted the ill-preparedness of the Canadian troops for what he described as Canada’s inaugural modern battle, lacking essentials such as food rations and proper footwear.
Though the Canadian forces faced setbacks and ultimately retreated following a Fenian assault, the invaders abandoned their incursion and retreated back to the U.S. side of the Niagara River. Despite the battlefield defeat, Davies emphasized the valor of those who fought against the invaders, underscoring the importance of recognizing their sacrifice.
In 2016, a memorial was erected commemorating the nine soldiers who perished at Ridgeway, reflecting the ongoing efforts by Fort Erie to have their names inscribed in the Books of Remembrance. The battle’s resonance extends beyond its immediate aftermath, with suggestions that it influenced the path to Confederation and shaped the identity of Canada.
The legacy of the Battle of Ridgeway endures through regiments like the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, participants in the 1866 conflict that continue to serve today. Notably, Alexander Muir, renowned for composing “The Maple Leaf Forever,” drew inspiration from his experience at Ridgeway, symbolizing the shift towards Canadians fighting for their homeland rather than just as colonial subjects of the British Crown.