An overlooked skirmish that occurred on Canadian territory just a year before Confederation might not resonate widely with Canadians beyond Fort Erie, Ont., but it holds significance in Canadian history. The Battle of Ridgeway, also known as Limestone Ridge, in 1866 marked the first instance of Canadian troops led by Canadian officers engaging in combat. This event also inspired Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day observed in some regions annually. Despite its historical importance, the nine individuals who lost their lives in the battle are not included in the Books of Remembrance, a collection on Parliament Hill commemorating soldiers who perished in service to Canada.
A recently introduced petition in the House of Commons aims to have these nine individuals and the numerous others who died in the aftermath of the battle recognized in the Books of Remembrance. Conservative MP Fred Davies, representing the Niagara South riding that encompasses Fort Erie, where the battle unfolded, emphasized the significance of acknowledging those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend Canada.
The Battle of Ridgeway was not a resounding victory for the Canadian forces. Inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American group seeking Irish independence from British rule, attempted to invade and seize parts of British North America to leverage for Irish freedom. In 1866, hundreds of raiders crossed the Niagara River with intentions to target the Welland Canal but were met by around 800 Canadian volunteers from various regiments 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,” commended the swift mobilization of Canadian forces but noted their lack of preparedness for what he termed Canada’s inaugural modern battle. Despite facing challenges like shortages of provisions and ammunition, the Canadian troops engaged the invaders in combat. Following a chaotic retreat triggered by a Fenian bayonet charge, the Canadians dispersed, prompting the Fenians to abandon their incursion and retreat back across the Niagara River to the U.S. side.
Davies acknowledged the battlefield setback at Ridgeway but emphasized the valor of those who fought to protect Canada from invasion. A memorial honoring the nine fallen soldiers from the battle was erected in 2016, yet efforts to include their names in the Books of Remembrance have been unsuccessful thus far, despite appeals from Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop and others.
Even though the battle occurred prior to the official establishment of Canada, the Books of Remembrance feature names of soldiers who perished before Confederation, such as in the War of 1812. Redekop, Davies, and Vronsky suggested that the Battle of Ridgeway played a role in shaping the path to Confederation, influencing those hesitant to support the idea. Regiments that participated in the 1866 battle, like the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, continue to exist today, representing the evolution of Canada’s armed forces.
Alexander Muir, renowned for composing “The Maple Leaf Forever,” fought in the Battle of Ridgeway and drew inspiration from his experiences to create the patriotic ballad. While it is believed that Muir was inspired by a silver maple tree in Toronto, Vronsky proposed that the maple leaf emblem of the Queen’s Own Rifles, the regiment Muir served with, may have influenced his composition. This battle marked a pivotal moment where Canadians began fighting for their local communities first and allegiance to the maple leaf symbol before the crown.