An overlooked clash that occurred on Canadian land a year before Confederation might not resonate widely among Canadians beyond Fort Erie, Ontario, but it holds significant historical significance. 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. Moreover, it served as the inspiration for Decoration Day, an antecedent to Remembrance Day still observed in various parts of the nation. Despite this, the nine individuals who perished in the conflict are notably absent from the Books of Remembrance, a collection on Parliament Hill memorializing soldiers who died in service to Canada.
A fresh petition set for presentation in the House of Commons aims to include these nine individuals and the numerous others who lost their lives in the aftermath of the battle in the aforementioned list. Conservative MP Fred Davies, the sponsor of the petition in Parliament, emphasized the importance of Canada acknowledging those who made the ultimate sacrifice in its defense.
Representing the Niagara South riding that encompasses Fort Erie, Davies expressed his personal connection to the battle site, underscoring the need for national recognition. The Battle of Ridgeway, however, did not culminate in a decisive victory for the Canadians. Inexperienced volunteers confronted Fenian raiders, many of whom were veterans of the American Civil War.
In 1866, hundreds of raiders crossed the Niagara River with the intent to target the Welland Canal and encountered around 800 Canadian volunteers from various regiments at Limestone Ridge near Ridgeway and Fort Erie. Historian and author Peter Vronsky highlighted the rapid mobilization of Canadians from the Golden Horseshoe region, albeit ill-prepared for what he described as Canada’s inaugural modern battle.
Despite facing challenges such as inadequate provisions and ammunition shortages, the Canadians engaged the invaders in combat but eventually retreated in disarray following a Fenian bayonet charge. Nonetheless, the Fenians withdrew their incursion post-battle and retreated to the U.S. side of the Niagara River.
Although the Battle of Ridgeway resulted in a battlefield defeat, it did not diminish the valor of those who sacrificed their lives. Davies emphasized that while the organization and preparedness were lacking, the defense of Canada against invaders warranted recognition for the fallen individuals.
A memorial dedicated to the nine fallen soldiers at Ridgeway was unveiled in 2016, commemorating the battle’s 150th anniversary. Despite sustained efforts by Fort Erie to include their names in the Books of Remembrance, such endeavors have been unsuccessful thus far.
While predating the official formation of Canada, the battle’s impact on Confederation is acknowledged by local officials and historians. Vronsky suggested that the Battle of Ridgeway influenced the nation’s trajectory and played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian identity. Several regiments that participated in the 1866 battle, such as the Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, continue to exist today.
Alexander Muir, the composer of “The Maple Leaf Forever,” fought in the Battle of Ridgeway in 1866 and later penned the patriotic ballad. Speculation surrounds Muir’s inspiration for the song, with Vronsky suggesting it may have stemmed from the maple leaf emblem of the Queen’s Own Rifles, underscoring a shift towards Canadians fighting for their homeland rather than solely as British subjects.