Ridgeway in Fort Erie in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Battle of Ridgeway
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Bataille de Ridgeway

Battle of Ridgeway Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

1. Battle of Ridgeway Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On June 1, 1866, Irish-American revolutionaries called Fenians invaded Canada as part of an attempt to strike at Britain and support the creation of an independent Irish republic. The next morning Canadian militiamen from the Queen's Own Rifles, the 13th Battalion and the York and Caledonia rifle companies, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Booker, arrived here by train before marching on to battle the Fenian invaders. Contradictory orders and confusion on the battlefield coincided with a Fenian counterattack to cause the Canadians to withdraw. The Fenians retired to Fort Erie and returned to Buffalo that night. The Battle of Ridgeway shocked the country, spurring improvements to Canada's defences and helping to bolster the Confederation movement.

Le 1er juin 1866, des révolutionnaires irlando-américains, appelés les Fenians, envahirent le Canada pour porter un coup à l'Angleterre et soutenir la création d'une république irlandaise indépendante. Le lendemain matin, les hommes de la Milice canadienne des Queen's Own Rifles, du 13e bataillon et des York et Caledonia Rifle Companies, sous le commandement du lieutenant-colonel Alfred Booker, arrivèrent en train pour aller se battre contre les envahisseurs fenians. Alors que les Canadiens recevaient des ordres contradictoires et que la confusion régnait sur le champ de bataille, les Fenians contre-attaquèrent et les Canadiens durent se replier. Les Fenians se retirèrent à Fort Erie et retournèrent dans la nuit à Buffalo. La bataille de Ridgeway, qui eut l'effet d'une onde de choc dans le pays, entraîna une amélioration des systèmes de défense canadiens et donna une impulsion au mouvement en faveur de la Confédération.

Erected by Ontario

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Heritage Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1866.

Location. 42° 52.937′ N, 79° 3.111′ W. Marker is in Fort Erie, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Ridgeway. It is on Ridge Road North 0.3 kilometers south of Dominion Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 282 Ridge Road N, Fort Erie ON L0S 1N0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 282 Ridge Road (a few steps from this marker); 264 Ridge Road North (within shouting distance of

Battle of Ridgeway / Bataille de Ridgeway Marker (français) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

2. Battle of Ridgeway / Bataille de Ridgeway Marker (français)

this marker); 264 Ridge Road (within shouting distance of this marker); 307 Ridge Road (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); 314 Ridge Road (about 120 meters away); 315 Ridge Road (about 120 meters away); 209 Ridge Road (about 210 meters away); 356 Ridge Road (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Erie.

Also see . . . The Battle of Ridgeway (Legion Magazine).

The raid on Fort Erie was a feint meant to draw troops south from Toronto to deal with a phoney threat on the Welland Canal, a major transportation route connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

After occupying Fort Erie and destroying the telegraph lines, a Fenian force of about 800 moved north along the Niagara River. They were met early in the morning on June 2 by a roughly equal force of Canadian militia volunteers.

After two hours of fighting, the inexperienced Canadians retreated. The Fenians headed back to Fort Erie, where a small Canadian militia force made a stand. Outnumbered, these Canadians also were driven off.

The next day, the Fenians spotted U.S. Navy gunboats in the Niagara River. Their relief
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2025

3. Battle of Ridgeway / Bataille de Ridgeway Marker
and supplies had been cut off and they knew a large force of Canadian militia and British troops were heading their way. The Fenians fled and were captured by the gunboats.

(Submitted on May 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Depiction of the Battle of Ridgeway, created c. 1869 image. Click for full size.

4. Depiction of the Battle of Ridgeway, created c. 1869

Caption: ‘Desperate charge of the Fenians, under Co. O'Neill, near Ridgeway Station, June 2, 1866, and total route of the British troops, including the Queens Own Regt. under command of Col. Booker” Source: Library of Congress (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Battle of Ridgeway⎯⎯⎯Bataille de Ridgeway

Battle of Ridgeway
⎯⎯⎯
Bataille de Ridgeway