On 31st May 1866 a force of some 800 Fenians under 'Colonel' John O'Neill crossed the Niagara River and defeated Canadian troops at the battle of Ridgeway on 1st June. When news reached the Fenians that a strong force of Canadians was approaching many deserted and others retreated to the United States. On 3rd June the remainder who had not deserted or been captured surrendered to the American warship Michigan.
Other actions were fought at Fort Erie, Ontario on 2nd June and St Armand, Quebec on 9th June. Approximately 1000 Fenians fought at St Armand but by 09.30 they began to retreat to the US border, although a small force of around 200 did make a stand on realising the size of the force approaching they retreated to the border.
