An obscure clash that occurred on Canadian land just before Confederation may not resonate widely in Canadian history outside of Fort Erie, Ontario. The Battle of Ridgeway, also known as Limestone Ridge, in 1866 marked the first instance where Canadian troops, under Canadian leadership, engaged in combat. This event also served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day observed in some regions annually. Despite this, the names of the nine individuals who lost their lives in the battle are notably absent from the Books of Remembrance, a collection on Parliament Hill commemorating soldiers who died in service to Canada.
A new petition to be presented in the House of Commons aims to include these nine men and others who perished following the battle in the official list. Conservative MP Fred Davies, who represents the Niagara South riding encompassing Fort Erie, expressed the importance of recognizing these fallen individuals as a gesture of honoring those who defended Canada.
The Battle of Ridgeway did not culminate in a clear victory for the Canadians. Inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans from the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement seeking Irish independence from British rule, attempted to invade parts of British North America in 1866. They crossed the Niagara River with the objective of attacking the Welland Canal but were met by approximately 800 Canadian volunteers 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 Canadians for battle, despite their lack of preparedness for what he described as Canada’s first modern combat engagement. The Canadian forces faced challenges such as inadequate supplies, including food, water, and ammunition, leading to a somewhat disorganized retreat following a Fenian assault. Nonetheless, the Fenians withdrew after the battle, retreating back across the Niagara River to the U.S. side.
Davies emphasized that the defeat at Ridgeway does not diminish the sacrifice of those who lost their lives defending Canada. A memorial was erected in 2016 to honor the nine soldiers who died during the battle, yet efforts to have their names included in the Books of Remembrance have been unsuccessful so far.
The legacy of the Battle of Ridgeway, although predating the official formation of Canada, is considered significant in Canadian history. It is believed to have influenced Confederation, with Vronsky suggesting that it played a role in uniting Canadians in a common cause. The battle involved regiments that continue to exist today, such as the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, symbolizing the origins of modern Canadian armed forces.
Alexander Muir, renowned for composing “The Maple Leaf Forever,” fought in the Battle of Ridgeway and drew inspiration from the maple leaf, possibly symbolizing a shift towards fighting for local communities rather than solely as subjects of the British Crown. The battle holds a special place in Canadian history as a pivotal moment when Canadians began to assert their identity and fight for their homeland.
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