Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
History
Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870
MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870; Fenians
The arrival of Col. Wolseley's troops was hailed with delight by the
loyal residents of what is now the flourishing city of Winnipeg, as they
had suffered severe persecutions by the rebels during the period that
Riel and his lieutenant Ambrose Lepine held sway in their career of
rebellion. Lawful authority was quickly established, and all fragments
of the revolt being stamped out by Col. Wolseley, the loyal citizens
took up the work of temporary organization of the necessary civil
institutions for the proper government of the Province, pending
the arrival of Hon. Mr. Archibald, who had been appointed
Lieutenant-Governor of the new domain. In this work Mr. Donald A.
Smith (now Lord Strathcona) proved a tower of strength, and with
the assistance of Dr. John Schultz and other loyal residents of the
Province, matters were soon shaped into a state of peace, progress and
prosperity.
Lieutenant-Governor Archibald arrived at Fort Garry on Sept. 2nd, and
a few days later assumed the duties of his office. When it became
absolutely certain that all of the embers of the rebellion had been
extinguished, Colonel Wolseley returned to the east with the regular
troops, leaving the Canadian volunteers still on duty in Manitoba. They
remained at Fort Garry until the following spring, when their services
being no longer required they were ordered home for "muster out."
That the Canadian volunteers and voyageurs acquitted themselves
creditably on the occasion of the Red River Rebellion is a matter of
history, and that their services were highly appreciated by Colonel
Wolseley is evidenced by the fact that when he was put in command of the
British troops operating in the Egyptian campaign, and desired a method
of transporting his troops and stores up the River Nile, he remembered
his Red River experience, and promptly asked for a contingent of
Canadian voyageurs to handle his system of transport by the great
water route, and got them. That they did their duty in the Land of the
Pharoahs as thoroughly as they did on previous occasions at home, will
always stand to their credit in the annals of the British Army.
APPENDIX
CHAPTER I.
THE BOOKER INVESTIGATION--RESULT OF THE FINDING OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY
REGARDING THE CAUSE OP THE RETREAT AT RIDGEWAY.
The following is a report of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry
held at Hamilton on Tuesday, July 3rd, 1866, by order of His Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief, on the application of Lieut.-Col. Booker, to
examine and report on the circumstances connected with the engagement at
Lime Ridge (or Ridgeway) on June 2nd:
The following officers composed the Court: President, Col. George T.
Denison, Commandant Volunteer Militia, Toronto; members--Lieut.-Col.
James Shanly, London; Lieut.-Col. G. K. Chisholm, Commanding Oakville
Rifle Company, Oakville.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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