149 Years ago today, The Battle of Ridgeway

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From RHLI, 13th Battalion Ceremonial Guard;

The Battle of Ridgeway (sometimes the Battle of Lime Ridge or Limestone Ridge) was fought in the vicinity of the town of Fort Erie across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York, near the village of Ridgeway, Canada West, currently Ontario, Canada, on June 2, 1866, between Canadian troops and an irregular army of Irish-American invaders, the Fenians. It was the largest engagement of the Fenian Raids, the first modern industrial-era battle to be fought by Canadians and the first to be fought only by Canadian troops and led exclusively by Canadian officers. The battlefield was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1921 and is the last battle fought in the Province of Ontario against a foreign invasion.

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 2; 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 (now the RHLI), 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: to this day, it is not clear exactly what. Some sources say that the Canadian militiamen mistook 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. Other sources indicate that QOR troops mistook a company of redcoated 13th Battalion infantry for British troops relieving them and began to withdraw; which then triggered a panic among other troops who mistook the QOR withdrawal for a retreat. O'Neill observing the chaos breaking out in the Canadian ranks, quickly ordered a bayonet charge that completely routed the inexperienced Canadians. The Fenians took and briefly held the town of Ridgeway. Then, expecting to be overwhelmed by British reinforcements, they quickly turned back to Fort Erie where they fought a second battle, the Battle of Fort Erie (1866), against a small but determined detachment of Canadians holding the town.

The Canadian loss was 7 killed on the field, 2 died of wounds in the immediate days following the battle, and 22 died of wounds or disease later. 37 were wounded, some severely enough to require amputation of their limbs. O'Neill said he had four or five men killed, but Canadians claimed to have found six Fenian bodies on the field. We Remember the sacrifices of the brave men of Hamilton and Toronto and Upper Canada who defended our homeland 149 years ago today.

Semper Paratus! In Pace Paratus!



GodSpeed!

cigar_man
 
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One company of the Queen's Own was armed with Spencers. This was the only combat use of a rim fire infantry rifle by soldiers of the British Empire.
 
John Holland's invention of the modern submarine was funded by Irish Nationalist, read Fenians, who wanted to use it to liberate Ireland. Irish are a determined bunch. :) Seen the battlefield and figured it must have taken guts and skill to cross the Niagra there, never mind fall back under attack

Grizz
 
Didn't we have the. 50-60 rf Peabody's for the 2nd Fenian invasion?

I was told they arrived too late to see much use. Not sure of the truth of it.

I've read several detailed accounts of the battle. It didn't go well for us due to the confusion re the cavalry.

Take a look at this article and read the part about the Aftermath.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ridgeway

The Fenians included some very experienced soldiers fresh from the Civil War. They mention having dumped a bunch of ammunition as they were so well supplied with ammo.

Perhaps it could have been worse. Apparently they were trying to lure our troops into the main body to bring their firepower to bear.
 
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I read in one of the accounts of the battle: The Fenians, being experienced campaigners, erected a wooden stake fence leaning out at 45 degrees. When the QOR approached it and fired at them, the fence would stop many of the bullets. The Fenians would fire over the fence.
 
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