On the 28th of July, Colonel Williams complained to me of not feeling well. His illness, I supposed, was an attack of chills and fever consequent on the rough life he was forced to lead, and camping on the shores of Frog Lake. But on my arrival at Battleford, five days after, I was horrified to hear that he was dead. The sickness from which he suffered attacked his brain, and combined with typhoid fever, he rapidly sank, becoming unconscious before he knew that his end was approaching. His sickness was no doubt the result of the excitement of the campaign, superadded to the hardships and the rough life to which he was unaccustomed. His death cast a gloom over all the troops, by whom he was much respected and beloved, and his death may be described as the saddest event of the campaign. Having gone successfully through the campaign with honour to himself and to the regiment he led, it was sad to find that on the eve of returning home to reap the reward of his bravery and patriotism he was stricken down by the mysterious will of Providence. Colonel Williams' loss to the country is more than the loss of a gallant officer. While still a young man he commanded his regiment, the 46th battalion of Port Hope, and had brought it to a high state of efficiency, but this was only a part of the many public and private duties he performed. For twenty years he represented his district, and the town of Port Hope, first in the Local Assembly, and afterwards in the Dominion House of Commons, where he had worked his way up in the confidence and respect of Parliament, and was looked upon as one of the coming ministers of the country. His father, who had been a captain in the navy, and who had become a settler in the district in its early history also represented the people in Parliament in his day. The latter died in 1854, while Colonel Williams was still a boy, leaving behind him a large estate of wild lands and farms in the district, which required great management and care to foster and husband, until by the growth of the country they became valuable. His administrative ability and his soldierly qualities, combined with a most gentlemanly bearing and kind manner, made him, for a young man of forty-five, one of the most prominent men in Canada. The whole country sustained a loss which it is difficult to replace. His family lost a faithful father, brother, and son. His regiment lost a commander whose equal they will not soon get again. For fourteen years, from 1868 to 1881, before coming to this province, I had the honour of being senior major of his battalion, and, among many others I am able to bear testimony to the superior qualities Colonel Williams possessed. Very few men have been more identified with the history of his time than he. He was at the front during the Fenian raid of 1866, as well as on the occasion of other Fenian marauding expeditions.

During the excitement of the Soudan campaign, Colonel Williams was among the first of the officers to volunteer their services to the English Government to raise a regiment for service in the field, and had not the present rebellion broken out his offer would likely have been accepted. As soon as the rebellion broke out he volunteered the services of his battalion, but the Government, to avoid drawing too many men from one rural district, allowed him to form a battalion composed of companies from several battalions in the midland district, and it was at the head of these men that he fought and died in the service of his country. During the four days' fighting at Batoche, Colonel Williams rendered unwearied service, for his mind was in his work, and his heart was in his country. During the charge and capture of Batoche he displayed the most conspicuous gallantry at the head of his men.

The highest eulogies were passed upon the gallant office by the Honourable Mr. Caron, Minister of Militia and the Honourable Mr. Blake, the leader of the Opposition, both vying with one another in endeavouring to express the feelings of the people, of both shades of politics, in their sorrow for the death of the departed hero. His life was not unmixed with sorrow. About three years previous to his death he lost his amiable wife, who was the daughter of the Hon. Mr. Seymour, and he now leaves a young family to the care of his widowed mother, who is still alive, to mourn his loss and watch over his children.

Colonel Williams represented what might be termed Young Canada, that is, he represented those who were born and bred in the country, who draw their inspirations from the institutions and associations of the life by which they have been surrounded from their birth, and whose feelings and ambitions are moulding the destinies of Canada, tempered by a respect and affection for the institutions and history of their fathers in the glorious land from which they came. I here take leave of Colonel Williams, who was one of the warmest personal friends I have known. To know him was a privilege, which, by his kind and genial nature, many another man throughout the country can proudly claim. A military funeral was held in Battleford, and a solemn service was performed over the body of Colonel Williams in the fort, whence his body was transported in charge of a guard, under Captain Lestock Reid, to Port Hope. There he received an imposing burial, and representatives of the whole country vied with one another in doing honour to his memory. At this time two more deaths occurred. A sergeant of the 65th, after a short sickness, died on the steamboat, on its way from Fort Pitt to Battleford, and the day before we left there, the sentry belonging to 'A' Battery, was marching one of the Indian prisoners to the rear, and his rear rank man stumbled, going through a gate, his rifle went off by accident and shot his front rank man dead. He was a favourite, and his loss was much mourned by his comrades.

The closing days of the campaign were now rapidly approaching. The General made arrangements to transport the three columns, with the exception of the mounted men, by steamers down the River Saskatchewan to the Grand Rapids, where they had to make a short portage by tramway to reach Lake Winnipeg. This was accomplished without mishap, and they arrived in safety on the 15th July in Winnipeg. The regular corps of the Canadian service were left behind to guard the country until the Mounted Police had been recruited to its full strength. Colonel Otter, with 'C' School and 'B' Battery, remained in command at Battleford; Colonel Montizambert, with 'A' Battery, remained in command at Prince Albert, and the Winnipeg Light Infantry remained at Fort Pitt under the command of Colonel Smith, to receive the surrender of some tribes of Indians who had not yet come in. The interest in the campaign was now to be transferred to the trials of Riel and his accomplices.

On the eve of departure from Pitt, General Middleton had the following words of praise for his troops inserted in the General Orders of the day.

"In thus completing the breaking up of the North-West Field Force which has been under the immediate command of Major-General Middleton during the late campaign, he cannot let the officers and men comprising it separate without expressing his great satisfaction with them. During the whole of the time he has not had to assemble a court martial, and in fact there has been an absence of crime. They have had vast hardships to undergo and real difficulties to overcome, and have met them like men, with ready cheerfulness and without complaint. They, as untried volunteer soldiers, have had to move in a country where an extraordinary scare existed, and against an enemy whom it was publicly declared they would be unable to cope with, unless with great superiority of numbers. The first they disregarded, as shown by the fact that during the whole three months not more than two or three false alarms in camp took place; and the second they disproved by beating their enemy with a force inferior to him in numbers. Each regiment, each corps, each arm of the service, has vied one against the other, and each has equally well done the duty assigned it; not forgetting the transport service, which, under its two able officers, has so well aided us in our movements; the medical department, which has been so well directed; and the chaplains who have so cheerfully and well ministered to our spiritual comforts. And the Major-General in taking farewell of his old comrades begs to wish them all happiness and success in their several walks of life, and to sincerely thank them one and all for having, by their gallantry, good conduct, and hard work, enabled him to carry to a successful conclusion what will probably be his last campaign."

I marched with my men by road from Fort Pitt to Turtle Lake, thence to Battleford, one hundred and twenty-five miles, thence to Clarke's Crossing, one hundred miles; from there to Qu'Appelle, two hundred miles; from there to Birtle, one hundred and thirty-five miles; and from Birtle home to Russell, thirty-two miles, taking twenty-two days, where we disbanded, after a most memorable and arduous campaign. From the day we left Russell until we returned, three months and eighteen days had elapsed, during which time we marched seventeen hundred miles by actual measurement, in addition to one hundred and twenty miles by rail and one hundred and seventy-five by boat. Some of the horses and men had done more. We had been on duty constantly every day, without intermission, and had the honour of accompanying the General throughout. My casualties amounted to one officer and one man killed, eight wounded, and four otherwise injured. I had killed and used up sixteen horses. I took six transport teams, which I brought from my own district, who accompanied me throughout. I had no sickness, the food being wholesome and plentiful, and the exercise healthy. Keeping the horses backs sound was the most difficult task. My saddles were not alike. Being purchased at a moment's notice in Winnipeg, I had to take what I could get. I found what is known as Davis' three-guinea English saddle the best. Combined with economy, they are light, comfortable to ride in, and do not give sore backs. I used one throughout, and neither horse nor rider was a day on the sick list in a seventeen hundred mile march. Several of my men had these saddles and realized their comfort.

We used the Winchester rifles with solid bullets. They are a light and handy weapon, but are apt to get out of order at the critical moment, and the bullets flatten at the top in the magazine. Of course, excessive rapidity of firing is not conducive to steady aim or to economy of ammunition. I would suggest as an improvement, that the magazine be so arranged that it could be kept as a reserve, and capable of being disconnected from the breech-action, so that the rifle could be used as an ordinary breech-loader or a repeater at will. Mounted infantry should be armed with a sword or sword-bayonet; with it you have an advantage over your enemy; without it you are only on a par - man for man. The enemy we had to contend with were cooler and better shots at short range, more accustomed to take advantage of cover, and possessing a more perfect knowledge of the country. This is not to be wondered at, for by trapping and hunting most of them live. But they will not stand to face a determined charge, especially if they are opposed to the bayonet. The horses we used were of all classes, picked up in a hurry. I selected them especially for their hardihood. I found the native ponies, about fourteen hands and upwards, the most serviceable, but they must have weight. My horses averaged one hundred and sixty-five dollars apiece, purchased at war prices, and on our return I handed them over to the Government auctioneer, when they fetched at public auction an average of seventy-five dollars. The men were supplied with a serviceable coat made of brown duck, a pair of riding-breeches, a helmet, a flannel shirt, moccasins and stockings. Most of the men used riding-boots, keeping their moccasins for comfort. They used up their clothes very fast on the campaign. The white helmets were criticized as being too conspicuous, but I am convinced that in the kind of fighting we had to face it is well to be able to distinguish friend from foe. On the one hand you lose an advantage if you cannot distinguish your comrades, and withhold your fire on that account; on the other it is a most unpleasant thing to be taken for the enemy by your friends, when creeping up through the bush. My men were obedient and plucky, and thoroughly entered into the spirit of the campaign. They were composed of the very best class to do good service, having by their push and enterprise penetrated the interior of this country, three hundred miles beyond Winnipeg, where they were employed as settlers, farming on their homesteads. They sacrificed their summer's crop to uphold the laws of their adopted country, some even selling their stock for what it would bring that they might not be compelled to stay at home. I cannot praise too highly their bravery, their gallantry, and their powers of endurance, combined with great good humour, which made the four months I had the honour of commanding them pass like a pleasure trip. After the fatigue of marching all day and attending to their horses, the guard duties and patrol at night had to be done, all of which was faithfully performed without a murmur. The reminiscences of adventure they went through, and the battle they fought, will be handed down, for many years to come as memorable events in the history of the district, when by the progress of railway communication such long marches will become a thing of the past.

A monument is to be raised to the memory of their comrades who were left behind in their lonely resting-place, and the various settlements to which we returned rallied with loyal and welcome addresses to honour the friends who had gone to protect the country from the rebellious half-breeds and Indians. They were themselves surrounded by Indian tribes, and they felt that had not General Middleton been successful in overthrowing Riel, their families and their homes might be endangered before the summer was over. In order to preserve a memento of their welcome, I have inserted in the appendix the addresses with which my two troops were greeted. I was gratified also, on returning to my home, to find awaiting me a memento from kind friends in Lakefield, where I had spent a portion of my life, and where for some years I had acted as Reeve. It was a letter congratulating me upon the services of my corps, accompanied by a Winchester rifle and a brace of revolvers, which will be gratefully preserved by me as a token, of the kind feelings that animated my absent friends, who, in common with the whole country, watched the progress of the campaign with anxiety for and pride in the conduct of their fellow-countrymen.

The return of the regiments to the east, to their respective headquarters, was the signal for an enthusiastic outburst of jubilation over the safe return of those who had been fortunate enough to escape from the rebel bullets, and in every city, town and village, from the east to the far west, the warmest of welcomes was accorded to Canada's citizen soldiery. In Toronto, and other cities and towns, will long be remembered the unanimous and enthusiastic ovation paid by the citizens of Canada to the returned troops. In their sympathy and affection for their brothers and sons, during the progress of the campaign, the people had industriously made clothing and collected comforts to be sent to the troops while at the front, whence they were transported at the expense of the Government; and it is hard to say whether the comforts or the sympathy which caused these generous gifts to be sent were most appreciated by the men.

The campaign just closed will ever be a memorable one in the annals of Canada. From the country's earliest days, scarcely a generation has passed without some internal or external disturbance taking place affecting its welfare. At all times the people have displayed a loyalty to their country, and a self-sacrificing spirit in the protection of their hearths and homes. But on these occasions Canada had at its back the veteran battalions of England, who were stationed in the country, and who were always available to assist in meeting its needs. On the present occasion the case was different. England had handed over to Canada the responsibility of governing this vast tract of country. It is being developed to contribute to the revenue and to add to the strength and prestige of the Canadian people, and therefore the burden must fall upon them in maintaining intact their laws and their territory. It was in that spirit that the Government undertook the task; and for the first time, though unaided by experienced councillors in the art of war, unaccustomed to have such pressing calls upon the supplies and transport, and the necessaries for a sudden emergency, the militia of the country proved itself fully equal to the occasion. When it is realized that the outbreak which had occurred was two thousand five hundred miles distant from the seat of Government at Ottawa, that that distance had to be covered by railway journeys and long marches, accompanied by all the necessaries for campaigning, the capabilities of the military system is manifest. Ten regiments of infantry, four batteries of artillery, with eight troops of cavalry, were, within a fortnight from the first intimation of the outbreak, transported to the scene of operations, assisted by fifteen hundred transport teams. Within a month from the news of the fight at Duck Lake, General Middleton's force had fought its first battle in the rebel stronghold, resulting in the dispersion of the force opposed to it, and Colonel Otter had inflicted a blow upon the Indian tribes, who had barely commenced their summer's deviltry. General Strange, with his column, had meanwhile vigorously penetrated the north-western district, through the melting snows and amidst great hardships, in the anxiety to reach the scene of the Frog Lake massacre and afford the necessary protection to the people of the region. The second battle at Batoche, resulting in the utter defeat of Riel, showed the people in the disaffected districts how little chance they have of withstanding the power of the country, for before two months had elapsed every insurgent tribe was attacked and dispersed. The most remote districts had been penetrated by the soldiers and guns, which clearly showed the Indians that they must in future become obedient to the government and laws of the country. Within four months from the date of the first disturbance, five thousand troops had been transported to the seat of trouble, had returned, and were disbanded, the ring-leader was captured, and with his accomplices had been tried and sentenced, and the country restored to its former peaceful industry. Canadians may well feel a proud satisfaction that throughout this eventful campaign no man, from the drummer boy up, failed to do his duty. At the commencement of the outbreak the Militia Department was not prepared with transport or commissariat service, but General Middleton, at Fort Qu'Appelle organized a transport corps under the able management of Mr. Bedson, Warden of the Manitoba Penitentiary, who was appointed chief transport officer, with Mr. Secretan, C.E., assistant. They remained with the headquarter staff. Major Bell took charge of the transport at Fort Qu'Appelle, Major White filling the same position at Moosejaw and Swift Current. Captain Hamilton, of the N. W. Mounted Police, performed the same service for General Strange's column at Edmonton, and Mr. Underwood acted as supply officer with General Middleton.

The transport service was admirably performed with these energetic officers at his head. The various routes traversed, in forwarding supplies to the front, were divided off into twenty mile stages, and an assistant transport officer was placed in charge of each station. The teams were not allowed to be overdriven or overloaded, because the practical men who had charge of this department knew that if the horses, of which there was only a limited number available, and collected at the base at considerable expense, were overworked they would soon lose them. As a consequence of this good management the same horses were able to continue in the transport service as long as they were required. Comparing the transport service with that of other campaigns there is no doubt it will be found to have been economically managed and always efficient.

In place of an official commissariat department, there was to hand in the North-West the most perfect organization for this purpose, namely, the Hudson's Bay Company, whose officers and posts scattered throughout the country proved most serviceable auxiliaries in the conduct of the campaign. The Government wisely availed themselves very largely of this organization to forward and supply the troops. Although a large profit has accrued to the Company through the services thus performed, yet their excellent organization, energy and ability, have more than recouped the country for the profit they made. The brunt of the work at the commencement fell upon Colonel Peebles, who was stationed in Winnipeg, and who had the responsibility of equipping and supplying the troops at the outset, and an overwhelming amount of work pressed upon him for a short time, as the Hudson's Bay Company would supply nothing without his sanction. As soon as the Government was somewhat relieved from the pressure of despatching the troops, a commissariat staff was formed, composed of Colonel Jackson, Deputy Adjutant-General of London, Colonel Whitehead, of the Victoria Rifles, Montreal, and Major Guy, formerly District Paymaster of Nova Scotia, as the controlling staff of the supply and pay department, assisted by Captain Allen, who has been lately appointed to the Mounted Police. Captain Swinford, the chief supply officer, was stationed at Qu'Appelle, where he had a great pressure of work - work that he broke down under - to meet the requirements of the troops. Captain Swinford is the brother of Lieutenant Swinford, of the 90th, who was killed at Fish Creek, and son of Captain Swinford, in the employment of the Hudson's Bay Company. When Mr. Swinford, senior, heard of the death of his son in the 90th, he at once allowed his only remaining son to go up and take his place. Colonel D. Jackson, with his staff, arrived in Winnipeg about the 3rd of April, and he made that city his headquarters, and before the campaign was over an efficient commissariat existed. After the campaign had closed a commission was appointed, consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, Colonel Forrest, and Colonel Whitehead, to wind up the unpaid accounts of the campaign, and to audit those that had been paid. A commission was also appointed to investigate the losses by settlers, and greater promptitude has rarely been shown by any government as in the payment of the troops when they left the field, and in the compensation to settlers for the destruction of their property by the Indians. In Winnipeg, Lieutenant-Colonel La Montague, and Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, of the Militia Department, Ottawa, acted as Brigade Majors.

At the front, Lieutenant-Colonel Forrest was appointed Quartermaster of the forces, with his headquarters at Qu'Appelle; Captain Hudson, formerly of the 100th Regiment, was supply officer at Clarke's Crossing; Captain Wright, 43rd Battalion, was stationed with General Strange's column; Captain Heigham was stationed at Touchwood Hills with Colonel Turnbull's Cavalry School Corps Corps; Lieutenant Bate; of the 1st Battalion, Governor General's Foot Guards, and Mr. Woolsey of Ottawa, served at Swift Current and Regina. Major McGibbon served at Calgary, and Captain Morton, late of the Prince of Wales' Own Rifles, acted as orderly officer and secretary to the staff in Winnipeg. Major Vaughan acted as superintendent of stores, purchased and issued in Winnipeg. Major-General Laurie, in charge of the base and lines of communication, had Lieutenant Dickson, R.M.C., Lieutenant Weller and Lieutenant Leonard acting on his staff, Mr. Ricards acting as supply officer, Mr. White as transport officer. General Laurie's headquarters at first were at Swift Current, but were afterwards removed to Moosejaw.

The examples we have of the cost of other campaigns undertaken by England, and of similar Indian wars in the United States, bring out in the most marked manner the economy with which the present campaign was managed. This may be attributed to the earnest loyalty that characterized every officer and man, who, one and all, exhibited an anxiety to do their duty faithfully and well.

The Government authorized the appointment of a clergyman to every corps, and various churches sent their pastors to the regiments. The Rev. Mr. Whitcombe, of Toronto, was appointed to the 10th Royal Grenadiers; the Rev. Mr. Gordon, of Knox Church Winnipeg, was appointed to the 90th Battalion; the Rev. Mr. Quinney, missionary at Frog Lake, after his imprisonment, was appointed to the Midland Battalion; the Rev. Mr. Pitblado, Presbyterian, was appointed to the Halifax Battalion; the Rev. Mr. Rowand, to the 91st Battalion; the Rev. W. A. Mackenzie, the Rev. John McDougall, and Canon McKay, to the Alberta Field Force; the Rev. Mr. Ball, to the 7th Fusiliers; and the Rev. T. Bartley, to the Montreal Garrison Artillery.

The arrangements of the medical staff were excellent. This branch of the service was under the command of Dr. Bergen, Surgeon-General at Ottawa, assisted by Dr. Roddick and a large staff at the front, whose names will be found in the appendix. A staff of dressers from the medical colleges was also sent forward, and appointed to assist the regimental surgeons. An hospital was established at Saskatoon, where the wounded from Fish Creek and Batoche were conveyed, and a staff of nurses appointed, under the direction of Nurse Miller, of the Winnipeg General Hospital. The hospital at Battleford established and appointed in the same manner for Colonel Otter's column. Afterwards a general hospital was established at Moosejaw, where medical supplies were accumulated under the superintendence of the Hon. Dr. Sullivan, Purveyor-General. In connection with our own hospital, the kindly heart of the Princess Louise, the daughter of royal parents, whose virtues, one may say, are without example, was moved to solicit subscriptions to supplement the efforts of the Government. Her Royal Highness sent Dr. Boyd out with a thousand pounds, to expend in the most beneficial manner for the comfort of the wounded., On this occasion the sympathy of the Princess Louise towards her old Canadian friends warmed all hearts intensely towards her and towards the throne, and did much to heighten the respect and to increase the affection of all classes in the country for the Crown.

The press of Canada shewed the greatest enterprise in sending correspondents to the front, in order that the public might have the earliest and most accurate information concerning the daily events of the campaign. They were almost entirely confined to the Canadian newspapers, Mr. Johnston of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and Mr. Henty of the London Standard, being the only representatives of newspapers outside of Canada. They supplied the news to their papers with the most commendable enterprise, the accounts of the various actions varying slightly, according to the sympathy of the correspondents for the battalion of its locality. Comparing the various accounts of the campaign with one another, it is however to be said that the public got a very accurate description of the important events. The Montreal Star and Witness, the Toronto Mail and Globe, the Winnipeg Free Press, Sun, and Times, and the Illustrated War News, Toronto, all had special correspondents moving with the troops, who were authorized to spare no expense to get the most reliable information and transmit it speedily to their several papers, and nearly every paper in the Dominion had correspondents in the ranks of the volunteers. I think, as a military correspondent, Mr. McManus, an old cavalry man, living at Qu'Appelle, who acted as correspondent for the Toronto Mail at that important point, carried off the palm.

Before concluding I would draw the attention of my readers to one remarkable feature in the campaign, viz. this: that while in 1870 it was necessary to send a small armed force from the east under Sir Garnet Wolseley to maintain law and order, the growth of the country has been so great that in this campaign it was enabled to place in the field three efficient regiments, one battery of artillery, besides eight corps of mounted men. From this fact it may be deduced that the day is not far distant when this country will not only be of immense strength to Canada, but will be enabled to furnish large drafts of men for service in the British Empire, who for physique, activity and endurance, cannot be excelled.

The country, with the time-honoured liberality of British subjects, conferred upon General Middleton, who conducted the campaign to success, the handsome gratuity of twenty thousand dollars, a gratuity most worthily bestowed, and to each Canadian soldier it gave a grant. of three hundred and twenty acres of land without charge, or failing their desire to become settlers, scrip, which will be accepted by the Dominion Government as payment for land to the value of eighty dollars. Her Majesty conferred the honour of Knighthood upon the Minister of Militia, Sir Adolphe Caron, and upon Major-General Sir Fred. Middleton. To the troops a medal is to be issued with a clasp entitled "Batoche" for those who were at the capture of Batoche, and a clasp with the legend "Saskatchewan" for those who served on the two Saskatchewans.

In concluding this portion of my narrative I may be permitted to say that my effort has been to give information to my readers as accurately as I possibly could. The work has been mainly written on my homestead, where I have not had access to documents which would have helped me, and it may be faulty in some respects. But I have endeavoured when in doubt about any point, to leave reference to it out, in order that the important events of the campaign, as related, may be an accurate and reliable description.

The main purposes I had in writing my book were, first, to bring out the creditable manner in which Canada has dealt with the most important event in her history; secondly, to show the rapid development that has taken place in the country; and thirdly, to indicate the magnificent spirit that stirs the hearts of the Canadian subjects of Her Majesty, in their loyalty to the Crown and to the country they hold dear. I trust that I have, in some measure, attained these objects.

Chapter 19

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