An unknown conflict that occurred on Canadian terrain just a year before Confederation might not resonate widely in the historical memory of Canadians beyond Fort Erie, Ontario. Nevertheless, the Battle of Ridgeway — also known as Limestone Ridge — in 1866 holds significance for several historical reasons.
This battle marked the first instance of Canadian troops led by Canadian officers engaging in combat. It also served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day still observed in certain regions annually. Despite these historical ties, the names of 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 fresh petition scheduled for presentation in the House of Commons aims to include these nine fallen soldiers and the many others who lost their lives following the battle in the official list. Conservative MP Fred Davies, advocating for this cause in Parliament, emphasized the importance of Canada acknowledging those who made the ultimate sacrifice in its defense.
The local riding represented by Davies encompasses Fort Erie, the battleground for the historic clash. Davies shared that his frequent drives past Limestone Ridge evoke a sense of national significance that he believes should be recognized.
The Battle of Ridgeway does not stand as a tale of triumph for Canada, as inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement striving for Irish independence from British rule, attempted to seize parts of British North America. In response, around 800 Canadian volunteers from various regiments engaged hundreds of raiders 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 Canadians from the Golden Horseshoe region. However, he noted that the Canadian forces were ill-equipped for what he described as Canada’s inaugural modern battle.
Despite facing challenges such as lack of provisions and inadequate ammunition, the Canadian troops engaged the invaders in combat. Following a Fenian bayonet charge, the Canadians dispersed in a disorderly retreat, prompting the Fenians to retreat back to the U.S. side of the Niagara River.
While acknowledging the battlefield defeat at Ridgeway, Davies emphasized that the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers should not be diminished. He underscored their valor in defending Canada against an invading force, underscoring the importance of honoring their memory.
In 2016, a memorial was erected to commemorate the nine soldiers who perished in the battle. Efforts by Fort Erie officials to include their names in the Books of Remembrance have so far been unsuccessful, despite the town’s persistent advocacy for this recognition.
Although the battle predates the formal establishment of Canada, the Books of Remembrance feature soldiers who died before Confederation, including those from the War of 1812. Redekop, Davies, and Vronsky all suggested that the Battle of Ridgeway played a significant role in the lead-up to Confederation.
Vronsky highlighted how the battle influenced some individuals to support the idea of Confederation, shaping Canada’s identity both on paper and in the hearts of its people. Regiments that participated in the 1866 battle, such as the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, continue to exist today, symbolizing the foundation of modern armed forces in Canada.
Alexander Muir, renowned for composing “The Maple Leaf Forever,” penned this patriotic ode after fighting in the Battle of Ridgeway. While it is believed he drew inspiration from a silver maple tree in Toronto, Vronsky suggested that the maple leaf in the Queen’s Own Rifles insignia, the regiment Muir served with, might have influenced the composition.
Vronsky emphasized the shift in fighting for one’s community over colonial ties, noting that Canadians were now prioritizing the maple leaf emblem over allegiance to the British Crown during the battle.