Pushing west to Ridgeway, the Fenian troop then fought a matching number of ill-trained Canadian militia for two hours. Sadly, inexperienced leadership under fire turned the Canadian's initial advance into confusion and final retreat. Canadian casualties were 10 dead, 37 wounded and 4 taken prisoner. However, although now winning, the Fenians withdrew and occupied the town of Fort Erie while waiting to fight a larger Canadian force expected soon from Port Colborne. Somewhat late, about 22,000 militia and British regulars were now also heading by rail towards the Niagara peninsula. Not wanting another Alamo, the Fenian higher command sent boats to bring their invasion force of now about 700 back from Fort Erie. At that point, on the morning of June 3, American gunboats took the boats with the evacuated Fenians in tow and blocked any more illegal Fenian movement across the Niagara.
With 5000 Fenians still in Buffalo, the U.S. government was concerned that it could not control matters. The Americans therefore offered amnesty and free transport back to their homes to any Fenians who promised to abandon their expedition against Canada and obey the U.S. neutrality laws. That no Fenian was punished was a clever move that worked to end the affair without any U.S. politician losing the Irish vote. The Canadians were furious.
Source:
- Hereward Senior, "The Last Invasion Of Canada: The Fenian Raids
1866-1870," (Woodstock Public Library).