The Battle of Ridgeway: June 2, 1866

The Battle of Ridgeway, a key engagement of the Fenian Raids, occurred on June 2, 1866, near Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada. This battle marked one of the most significant encounters between the troops of the Fenian Brotherhood and Canadian forces.

Background

The Fenian Brotherhood, an organization of Irish nationalists based in the United States, aimed to pressure Britain into granting Ireland its independence. Comprising mainly Irish-American veterans of the American Civil War, the Fenians believed they could capture Canadian territory and use it as a bargaining chip for Irish freedom.

In early June 1866, roughly 800 Fenians led by Brigadier General John O’Neill staged a raid from Buffalo, New York, crossing the Niagara River into Canada. Their target was Fort Erie, with plans to advance into the interior.

The Battle

On the morning of June 2, 1866, approximately 850 Fenian soldiers encountered a combined force of around 900 Canadian militia troops composed of the 13th Battalion from Hamilton, the Queen’s Own Rifles from Toronto, and the Caledonia and York militia companies. The battle unfolded near the village of Ridgeway.

The Canadian forces, inexperienced and thinly spread, faced a skilled and battle-hardened Fenian force. The Fenians, utilizing their Civil War experience, managed to outflank and confuse the Canadian militia. After several hours of intense fighting, the Canadian forces, misinterpreting a Fenian cavalry feint as a full assault, retreated in disarray, leaving the Fenians in control of the battlefield.

Consequences

The retreat at Ridgeway enabled O’Neill’s forces to briefly occupy Fort Erie. Despite their tactical success, the Fenians withdrew to the United States on June 3 upon learning of approaching Canadian reinforcements. The US government, keen to maintain neutrality, quickly intervened, arresting the raiders once they crossed back into US territory.

The Battle of Ridgeway sparked a re-evaluation of Canada’s defensive measures, illustrating the vulnerability of relying on inadequately trained militia units. This contributed significantly to the push for Canadian Confederation, which was achieved in 1867, as it underscored the need for a unified national defense strategy.

The battle remains a noteworthy episode in Canadian history, reflecting the complex interactions between nationalism, immigration, and international diplomacy in the 19th century.