Two Rebellions: Red River & Northwest, 2014, page 2

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Rebellions_Panels_Finals Design provided by Quench Design & Communications Inc., Port Hope. www.quenchme.ca THE NORTHWEST REBELLION 1885 Charles Boulton Some fiften years after the Red River rebellion the same forces were at play in the settlement of Batoche at a bend in the South Saskatchewan River, Northwest Territories. Government surveyors were redrawing boundaries and forcing Metis farmers off their land. Letters were written to Ottawa asking for help for the Metis farmers. When nothing was done a delegation was sent to Montana and successfully convinced Louis Riel to return and lead the Metis people in a second revolt against the Government of Canada. At first, Riel took the political route. He sent a petition to Ottawa outlining the grievances of the Metis and white settlers. But faced with continued government indifference, his tactics became more militant. In March 1885, Riel formed a provisional government and a small military force. Armed conflict followed as Riel's followers and government troops clashed. This was the first time Canadian troops conducted a large scale military operation without the support of British regulars. Major Henry Smith of Cobourg (see the Fenian Raids) played an important role in the defeat of Louis Riel and the rebellion. Major Smith commanded C Company of the Royal Canadian Regiment in battle and was Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry and leadership under fire during the engagement at the Battle of Fish Creek. Major Smith and his troops met the enemy head on and drove them back from their prepared defensive positions. Charles Arkol Boulton (see the Red River Rebellion) was in Winnipeg in 1885 and offered his services to the army when he heard about this rebellion. Boulton raised two troops of Scouts (aka. Boulton's Scouts) who also played a major role at the Battle at Fish Creek and led the troops to the Battle of Batoche. Boulton remained in the area pursuing Chief Big Bear until the Chief's surrender. Port Hope also contributed a major player in the Northwest Rebellion. The Hon. Arthur Trefusis Heneage Williams, a businessman and farmer, represented Durham East in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1874 and in the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative member from 1879 to 1885. As Lieutenant Colonel Williams he led the Midland Battalion in the Battle of Batoche. Colonel Williams was the only nationally known figure to die in the Northwest Campaign and his body was brought home in state. A huge funeral was held in Port Hope where a statue still stands in his honour. Following his capture Riel was tried for high treason. Despite continuing questions about his sanity, Riel was found guilty and hanged. Boulton went on to write a book entitled "Reminiscences of the North-West Rebellion". He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1881 and died in Manitoba in 1899.

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