An overlooked clash on Canadian territory a year before Confederation may not resonate widely with Canadians beyond Fort Erie, Ont., but it holds significant historical importance. The Battle of Ridgeway, also known as Limestone Ridge, in 1866 marked the first instance of Canadian troops led by Canadian commanders engaging in combat. This event also served as the basis for Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day still observed in certain regions annually. Despite these distinctions, the nine individuals who perished in the battle are notably absent from the Books of Remembrance, a collection on Parliament Hill commemorating soldiers who lost their lives serving Canada.
A new petition scheduled for presentation in the House of Commons aims to include those nine men and the numerous others who died in the aftermath of the conflict in the official list. Conservative MP Fred Davies, who is championing the petition in Parliament, underscored the importance of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend Canada.
The Battle of Ridgeway was not a resounding victory for the Canadians. Inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement seeking Irish independence from British rule, attempted to seize parts of British North America and negotiate for Ireland’s freedom. In 1866, hundreds of raiders crossed the Niagara River with intentions to target the Welland Canal, only to be met by approximately 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 Canadians from the Golden Horseshoe region. However, he highlighted the ill-preparedness of Canadian forces for what he termed as Canada’s initial modern conflict. Despite facing challenges such as lack of provisions, inadequate footwear, and ammunition shortages, the Canadian troops engaged the invaders, leading to a scattered retreat following a Fenian assault. Ultimately, the Fenians abandoned their incursion and retreated back to the U.S. side of the Niagara River.
While acknowledging the battlefield defeat at Ridgeway, Davies emphasized that it does not diminish the valor of those who gave their lives in defense of Canada. A memorial commemorating the nine fallen soldiers was erected in 2016, but efforts to have their names included in the Books of Remembrance have faced setbacks.
The battle’s impact on Confederation is evident, with Vronsky suggesting that it influenced key stakeholders to back the idea of a unified Canada. Several regiments that participated in the 1866 battle, like the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, continue to exist today.
Alexander Muir, the composer of “The Maple Leaf Forever,” wrote the patriotic song after fighting in the Battle of Ridgeway. It is believed that the falling leaves of a silver maple tree in Toronto’s Leslieville neighborhood inspired him, although Vronsky proposes an alternative theory connecting the inspiration to the maple leaf emblem of the Queen’s Own Rifles.
In essence, the Battle of Ridgeway marked a pivotal moment where Canadians fought for their own communities, symbolized by the maple leaf, signifying a shift towards a distinct Canadian identity separate from British colonial ties.