An overlooked clash occurred on Canadian territory just before Confederation, mainly remembered in Fort Erie, Ontario. The Battle of Ridgeway, also known as Limestone Ridge in 1866, stands out as the initial engagement led by Canadian troops under Canadian command. It served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day, observed annually in some regions. Despite this historical significance, the nine fallen soldiers from the battle are notably absent from the Books of Remembrance on Parliament Hill.
A new petition is set to be introduced in the House of Commons to include these nine soldiers and the numerous casualties following the battle in the official list. Conservative MP Fred Davies, representing the Niagara South riding, which encompasses Fort Erie, is spearheading this initiative. Davies emphasized the importance of recognizing those who sacrificed their lives to defend Canada.
The Battle of Ridgeway was not a clear victory for Canada, with inexperienced volunteers facing off against seasoned Fenian raiders, veterans of the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement seeking Irish independence from British rule, attempted an incursion into British North America in 1866. The clash at Limestone Ridge involved around 800 Canadian volunteers confronting hundreds of Fenian 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 but noted their lack of preparedness for modern warfare. Despite facing challenges like food shortages and insufficient ammunition, the Canadians engaged the invaders before retreating in disarray following a Fenian assault. Although a tactical defeat, the battle thwarted the Fenian campaign, marking a symbolic victory for Canada.
Davies emphasized that the battlefield outcome does not diminish the valor of those who perished. A memorial erected in 2016 commemorates the fallen soldiers of Ridgeway, highlighting the town’s ongoing efforts to have their names added to the Books of Remembrance. The battle’s influence on Confederation and the formation of modern armed forces was acknowledged by local officials and historians.
The legacy of the Battle of Ridgeway lives on, with regiments like the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry tracing their roots back to this pivotal moment in Canadian history. Alexander Muir, renowned for composing “The Maple Leaf Forever,” drew inspiration from his experience at Ridgeway, symbolizing a shift towards Canadians fighting for their homeland.