Fenian Raid Battle of Ridgeway

The Battle of Ridgeway (sometimes referred to as the Battle of Lime Ridge) was contested near Ridgeway, Canada West, currently Ontario, on June 2, 1866, between Canadian troops and an irregular army of Irish-American invaders, the Fenians. It was the largest skirmish of the so-called "Fenian Raids".

The New York City-based Fenian Brotherhood was attempting to support related groups in Ireland to force the United Kingdom into negotiating toward the formation of an independent Irish Republic. They took advantage of the ready supply of arms in the United States after the recently concluded Civil War, and of the ample number of unemployed young men who had emerged from that conflict with some degree of military training. It was still a ragtag army, however, that assembled on the American shore of the Niagara River during the last weeks of May 1866. The Fenians had made little attempt at secrecy, and both American and British authorities were aware of the imminent military operation.

Despite half-hearted American attempts to prevent the river crossing — the United States was loath to go out of its way to help the British after the failure of the U.S. invasion of Canada during the War of 1812 and their (perceived but almost non-existent) support of the Confederacy in the Civil War — the Fenian troops, led by General John O'Neill, a former Union cavalry commander, secured boats and transferred some 800 men across the Niagara, landing just above Fort Erie, before dawn on June 1, 1866. O'Neill spent the first day trying to rally the local citizenry to the Fenian cause and to commandeer supplies for his mission, but his force was plagued by desertions almost from the outset. By nightfall O'Neill estimated he had perhaps 500 effectives remaining.

Meanwhile, the British were mobilizing both local militias and British garrison troops to defend against the impending invasion. The Fenians night-marched north across Frenchman's Creek, then turned inland on the morning of June 2, taking up a defensive position near the present town of Ridgeway. There they clashed with 850 advancing Canadian militia commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Booker. Both forces were inexperienced and the skirmish that ensued was marked by confusion and ill-timed retreats by each side. Some of the Canadian militiamen mistook Fenian scouts on horseback for cavalry. Orders to defend against a cavalry charge, although quickly countermanded, led to chaos in the Canadian ranks and Booker ordered a withdrawal after only one to three hours of battle. The Fenians soon fell back to Fort Erie. Canadian casualties included 9 dead and 37 wounded. O'Neill said he had four or five men killed, but Canadians found six Fenian bodies on the field.

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[TomBarry192I]

Read my profile, most people in Britain support a united Ireland now too. They are welcome to stay here. Britain is breaking up with scotland getting vote on independence in two years time.

[FrancisRidley]

Just kidding TomBarry1921! Just having a bit of fun with conibonjovi. You're right, we British were a 'piece of work', but I'm still sad at the way things have turned out in the UK. Perhaps we reaped what we sowed. :)

[markmason1000]

Britian thats what you get for supporting the Confederacy, treachery begets treachery

[comanchio1976]

@TomBarry192I Although Britain is far from breaking up,I think it's great that you recognise that the majority of us are in favour of a united Ireland, and have been for many years to my knowledge!..especially for ppl those of us w/ Irish ancestry!

It's just that the 'political' elements have always gotten in the way, and many Brits lost sympathy/empathy for the cause when the bombing started.

I just wish that partition hadn't taken place. Still, we've all got to play the hand we've been dealt.

[sbl195207]

Thanks for posting. I like the video and the added music.

[popacam]

the war goes on boys,on the IRA

[12andrewrules]

hey going to see a huge reanactment battle next month fort erie

[edcedc1998]

all im saying is that that wasnt right there the whole battle was alover ridgeway not in one piticular spot.

[12andrewrules]

@BtoZproductions why

[BtoZproductions]

@12andrewrules ill already be moved back to bc the military is posting my family the week before :(

[12andrewrules]

@BtoZproductions sorry forgot my camra i was at my grandmas my mom went to pick me up and i forgot to tell her to bring my camera there is even a bigger one on the second week of august hope you don't miss it

[BtoZproductions]

@12andrewrules i went the 12 and i had to go back home for school work. if you have any pics or videos send me your facebook by a message to my youtube page. that would be great. thanks