A lesser-known clash that occurred on Canadian territory just a year before Confederation might not resonate widely with Canadians beyond Fort Erie, Ontario, but it holds significance in various historical aspects. 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. It also served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, a precursor to Remembrance Day observed in certain regions annually. Despite this, the names of the nine individuals who perished in the battle do not appear in the Books of Remembrance, a compilation on Parliament Hill commemorating soldiers who lost their lives in service to Canada.
A fresh petition scheduled for presentation in the House of Commons aims to include these nine individuals and the numerous casualties following the battle in the aforementioned list. Conservative MP Fred Davies, the sponsor of the petition, emphasized the importance of Canada acknowledging those who made the ultimate sacrifice in its defense. Davies, representing the Niagara South riding encompassing Fort Erie, expressed a personal connection to the historical site, underscoring the need for national recognition.
The Battle of Ridgeway did not culminate in a resounding victory for Canada. Inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish American movement advocating for Irish independence from British rule, sought to achieve this goal by invading and occupying parts of British North America. In 1866, a large group of raiders crossed the Niagara River with plans to attack the Welland Canal, encountering around 800 Canadian volunteers from various regiments at Limestone Ridge near Ridgeway and Fort Erie.
Historian and author Peter Vronsky commended the swift mobilization of hundreds of Canadians from the Golden Horseshoe region but noted that the Canadian troops were ill-equipped for what he described as Canada’s inaugural modern battle. Despite facing challenges like insufficient supplies and ammunition, the Canadians engaged in combat with the invaders, albeit retreating somewhat chaotically after a Fenian bayonet assault. Nevertheless, the Fenians abandoned their incursion post-battle, retreating to the U.S. side of the Niagara River.
Davies stressed that the defeat at Ridgeway does not diminish the sacrifice of those who perished defending Canada against an invader. He emphasized the importance of recognizing their contributions. A memorial dedicated to the nine fallen soldiers was erected in 2016, but efforts to have their names officially included in the Books of Remembrance have been unsuccessful so far, despite lobbying by Fort Erie officials.
Although the battle predates the establishment of Canada as a nation, the Books of Remembrance list soldiers who died before Confederation, such as in the War of 1812. Redekop, Davies, and Vronsky suggested that the Battle of Ridgeway had a direct impact on the Confederation process, influencing those hesitant to support the idea.
Several regiments involved in the 1866 battle, including the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, continue to exist today. Vronsky described the battle as a pivotal moment in shaping Canada’s modern armed forces. Notably, Alexander Muir, the composer of “The Maple Leaf Forever,” participated in the battle and is believed to have drawn inspiration for the patriotic song from a silver maple tree in Toronto’s Leslieville area. Vronsky proposed that Muir’s inspiration may have stemmed from the maple leaf insignia of the Queen’s Own Rifles, the regiment in which he served during the Battle of Ridgeway, signifying a shift towards fighting for their local community before allegiance to the British Crown.