Remembering The Battles Of Ridgeway & Fort Erie✊🇮🇪

On June 2nd 1866 the Fenians defeated Canadian forces at Ridgeway & Fort Erie in Canada.

In the early hours of June 1st, 1866 General John ONeill had crossed the Niagra into Canada from Buffalo with roughly 1,000 Fenians.

A few hours later another 400 Fenians and supplies had also crossed before the American navy intervened and blocked the remaining Fenians from crossing.

Meanwhile, the British were mobilizing both local Canadian militia and British garrison troops to defend against the impending invasion of Canada. 

The Fenians night-marched north across Black Creek (Ontario) through a cedar swamp, then turned inland on Ridge Road on the morning of June 2nd taking up a defensive position on Limestone Ridge near the present Canadian town of Ridgeway.

There, they clashed with 850 advancing Canadian militia (the dark-green uniformed Queen’s Own Rifles of Toronto and the traditionally clad red-coated 13th Battalion of Hamilton, reinforced by two local companies from Caledonia and York) commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Booker of the 13th Battalion.

In the first hour of the battle, the Canadians appeared to prevail, driving Fenian skirmishers back across Bertie Road. Then something went wrong, the Candinas seemed to mistaken Fenian scouts on horseback for cavalry.

Orders to form a square to defend against a cavalry charge, although quickly countermanded, led to chaos in the Canadian ranks and Booker ordered a withdrawal after ninety minutes of battle.

ONeill, observing the chaos breaking out in the Canadian ranks, quickly ordered a bayonet charge that completely routed the inexperienced Canadians.

The Canadian loss was 28 killed on the field, eleven died of wounds in the immediate days following the battle, 22 died of wounds or disease later and 37 were wounded, some severely enough to require amputation.

General John ONeill reported that the Fenians lost two men with eight injured but this was disputed by the Candian militia.

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