Battle of Ridgeway
Near Ridgeway, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
What happened
Fenian raiders, Irish-American veterans under John O'Neill, fought Canadian militia under Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Booker. About 1,000 crossed the Niagara River and took position on a limestone ridge. Canadian militia attacked, but after about ninety minutes their ranks broke, and the Fenians won before soon retreating to the United States.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The raids showed how weak Canada's defences were. Historians credit them with helping to push the British colonies toward uniting as Canada in 1867.
What came next
US authorities disarmed the returning Fenians and enforced neutrality laws. The battlefield became a National Historic Site in 1921.
Did you know?
It was the first battle fought only by Canadian troops under Canadian officers, and the author of 'The Maple Leaf Forever' fought in it.
Timeline
- 1 June 1866Fenian raiders cross the Niagara River.
- 2 June 1866The Fenians win at Ridgeway.
- 1867The British colonies unite in Confederation.
- October 1871The last Fenian raid ends.
- 1921The battlefield becomes a National Historic Site.