Resistance: 1869 & 1885

Portraits of Lieutenant Robinson Lyndhurst Wadmore as both a young officer just after the Northwest Resistance of 1885, and shortly before he retired in 1912.

Historical note:

Robinson Lyndhurst Wadmore, who was born in England in 1855, entered the Canadian forces as a lieutenant in 1883 and served with the Royal Canadian Regiment during the Northwest Resistance of 1885. Wadmore became a colonel in 1910. He died in Victoria, BC, in 1915.

Front and reverse images of the Northwest Canada service medal and Saskatchewan clasp awarded to Lieutenant Robinson Lyndhurst Wadmore of the Royal Canadian Regiment, for service during the Northwest Resistance.

Historical note:

Robinson Lyndhurst Wadmore, who was born in England in 1855, entered the Canadian forces as a lieutenant in 1883 and served with the Royal Canadian Regiment during the Northwest Resistance of 1885. Wadmore became a colonel in 1910. He died in Victoria, BC, in 1915.

Image of the legal team of Louis Riel at his trial in Regina. On 1st photocopied information sheet (H-380-p2) is a numerical count of the men in the original photograph. On 2nd photocopied information sheet (H-380-p3): "Taken beside the Regina Court House at the time of their trial. 1. Johnny Sansregret 2. P. Paranteau 3. Pierre Gardiepui 4. Philip Garnot (Riel's secretary) 5. Albert Monkman 6. Pierre Vandall 7. Babtiste Vandall 8. Touissaint Lucier (reputed to be the strongest man in North West) 9. Maxime Dubois 10. Timmus Short 11. Jean-Baptiste Tourond 12. Emmanuel Champagne."

Pierre Vandale was born in Carlton, Saskatchewan. He was treated in a sanatorium for tuberculosis but on recovery worked at farming and woodcutting. He talks about his children's education and his lack of schooling and he shares what his grandfather told him about the Riel Rebellion of 1885, the Metis and World War I and II.

Sketch of location of the Battle of Batoche.

Described the circumstances leading up to, and the incident in which Charles Bremner had over $5, 000 worth of furs confiscated from him by Middleton and his men upon his arrest for suspicion of involvement in the North-West Resistance. Includes commentary on the partisan fallout of the situation when Bremner was released from jail because of a lack of evidence of his involvement but his property was not returned to him. entire issue on one .pdf, scroll to page 11

A head and shoulder portrait of Ambroise "Jim" Lepine, brother of Maxine, who was politically active in Metis struggle

A portrait of Louis Riel wearing a plaid overcoat taken in New York state in 1875.

An oval portrait of Louis Riel, taken in Winnipeg around 1873.

Portrait sketches of key figures in the Northwest Resistance. Subjects include Mrs. T. Charles Watson, Major T.C. Watson, Lt.-Col. the Hon. W.N. Kennedy, Corporal Lethbridge, Col.-Sergt. Cooper, and Capt. Herbert Swinford. Caption of sketches: "(1) Mrs. T. Charles Watson, who has commenced a series of dramatic readings in aid of local patriotic funds; (2) Major T.C. Watson, (late of H.M. service), commanding the troops raised at Yorkton, Assiniboia; (3) Lt.-Col. the Hon. W.N. Kennedy, of the 90th Batt.

Portrait sketches of key figures in the Northwest Resistance. Sketches include John and Mrs. Gowanlock, Capt. Geo. H. Young, Private Dobbs, Lt.-Col. Maunsell, Major Gordon, Col. Sergt. Winter and Private Hardisty.

Portrait sketches of key figures in the Northwest Resistance. Sketch subjects include Lieut. A.Y. Scott, Bugler Foulkes, and Lieut-Colonel Bond.

Portrait sketches of key figures in the Northwest Resistance. Sketch subjects are Lieut.-Col. Landry, Lieut.-Col. Montizambert, and Capt. Clark.

Black and white photograph of Louis Riel made into a postcard and enlarged.

Negative of a black and white photograph of Chief Poundmaker.

An undated photo of the Cree Chief Poundmaker posed standing with a rifle.

Photograph. Caption: "Poundmaker surrounded by a group of visiting French journalists at Stony Mountain Penitentiary." From the book Loyal till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion by Blair Stonechild and Bill Waiser.

A paper apparently written by [Jennie] Moore, sister of Mrs. John Douglas, briefly describing pre-contact life and the arrival of European settlers in the Cut Knife, SK area. The paper focuses on Poundmaker and the Battle of Cut Knife Hill in March 1885. It ends with glowing descriptions of productive farm land and of the growth of the town of Cut Knife.

Extracts from Poundmaker's speech to General Middleton.

Photograph of the surrender of Poundmaker (with blanket) to General Middleton's forces. Caption: "Poundmaker was taken into custody for his apparent role in the looting of Battleford and the Cut Knife battle." From the book Loyal till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion by Blair Stonechild and Bill Waiser.

Image of a pow-wow with Chief Beardy (plumes on hat) and Chief Okamesis [after] the Northwest Resistance. A group of non-Aboriginal men stand behind the Chiefs.

Image of men setting up an Officers' Mess at unknown location during the Northwest Resistance. Group of men prepare food in pots over a fire at left, and men in background moving barrels and pots.

Negative of an artist's representation of the killing of priests at Frog Lake by Indigenous men with guns.

File containing an agenda for the official opening of the Duck Lake Historical Museum including presentations made by Beardy and the Okemasis Reserves.

Photograph of a memorial plaque erected to commemorate the Prince Albert Volunteers and North West Mounted Police who lost their lives at the Battle of Duck Lake on March 26, 1885.

Text from various [newspaper?] articles. Includes bibliography and notes.

File consists of text from various newspaper articles.

Printed by order of Parliament.

Website contains links to detailed chronology, historical documents, bibliography of online published primary sources, laws, bills, and terminology.

This report summarizes the comments which interested parties shared with Parks Canada as to the future planning and development of Batoche National Historic Park. Themes suggested were featuring the past, present and future of Batoche; life before contact and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Objectives suggested were unbiased interpretation of events at Batoche, and the return of artifacts such as the church bell.

Discusses the 125th anniversary of the Métis victory at Tourond's Coulee and history of the battle. Article found by scrolling to page 17.

History Thesis (M.A.)--University of Waterloo, 2016.

Chapter from book of the same.name The regiment's involvement in conflicts of the 1800s, such as the Fenian raids, the Red River Resistance and the Northwest Resistance, is documented. Includes sketches of Mahvadehrie (Yellow Bird) and Litkhansahra (Blackbird), sons of the Sioux chief Whitecap; and Toukwakahn (Enemy of the Great Spirit), brother-in-law of Whitecap.

Historical note:

The York Pioneer and Historical Society was founded by Richard H. Oates in 1869 in Toronto, ON. The society maintains two museums and a library of historical books and documents.

Sketch of a group of teamsters and sled in foreground, with soldiers in background.

Book review of: Race and Ethnicity: Finding Identities and Equalities by Leo Driedger.

A photograph of Metis positions on the Fish Creek battleground, likely taken shortly after the battle by a Canadian Army photographer. Presumably the Metis soldiers were positioned in the wooded area of the coulee visible ahead in the photograph. This may be the opening scene of the battle where Middleton's Scouts were met by an opening fusilade from the Metis ranks. The farmhouse visible on the right is possibly Tourond's house, for whose family the place takes its Metis name of "Tourond's Coulee."

A typescript of a newspaper article headlined "The stirring days of the 1885 Rebellion recalled by Prince Albert citizens who fought at the war centre in defence of their country." Includes a list of the Prince Albert volunteers who served and those who were killed or wounded. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

A typed transcription of a newspaper article (source unknown) of the biography of P.G. Laurie, publisher of the Saskatchewan Herald newspaper. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Historical note:

Patrick Gammie Laurie (b. 1833 - d. 1903) arrived in Fort Garry, MB in 1869 and took charge of the "Nor'Wester" newspaper, which reported on the Red River Resistance. In 1878 he left for Battleford, SK where he established the Herald. He remained there until his death in 1903. During the Rebellion of 1885 he alternated between military duties and the publication of his paper.

Pencil sketch of the steamer Northcote. Members of 'C' Company, Infantry School Corps, on shore in foreground, smaller boat in front of Northcote. Trees and landscape in background. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Personal diary of Major Smith of the I.S.C. Toronto Brigade during the Brigade's march west. Observations include health of fellow soldiers, the weather, and the monotony of waiting for next orders. Brief entries after 23 April 1885, final entry on 18 May 1885. Diary has metal clasp, black cloth covers and marbleized end papers. Item found within folder 2 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Draft of statement by General Middleton dated 2 July 1885 at Fort Pitt expressing satisfaction with the officers and men who served under him during the Northwest Resistance. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Draft of statement by General Middleton, dated 4 July 1885, written while on board the steamer "Marquis" and pertaining to the death of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Williams. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

A typed transcription of an article from the Saskatchewan Herald, 23 April 1885, by Wm. Laurie. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Historical note:

Small notebook of "C" Company, Infantry School Corps, documenting daily 'officer of the day' postings, brigade orders from Lt.-Col. Otter, arrival of padres, daily lists of company orders and notification of church parades and target practice. All entries made from Battleford, NWT; most made by Lt. J.M. Sears and Lt. R.L. Wadmore. Entries made in black ink and primarily blue pencil. Item found within folder 2 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Order book of the North-West Field Force, with Winnipeg being the first entry. Entries made from (all NWT / SK) Troy (Qu'Appelle), Fort Qu'Appelle and area, Humboldt, Clark's Crossing, Fish Creek, Gabriel's Crossing, Birch Hills, Batoche, Lepine, Prince Albert, while on board the steamer "North West," Battleford, Fort Pitt, while on board the steamer "Marquis"; (all NWT / MB) Cedar Lake, while on board the steamer "Princess," ending at Selkirk, MB. Entries made by Colonel Houghton, Lord Melgund, General Middleton's Chief of Staff, and a third unidentified officer.

A typed transcription of a newspaper article (source unknown) regarding the career of P.G. Laurie (1833-1901), publisher of the Saskatchewan Herald newspaper. Includes a description of the difficulties in publishing the paper during the 1885 Resistance. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

A typed transcription of the diary of George B. Murphy, Transport Officer in the Battleford Column, covering from 17 March 1885-16 July 1885. Short notations for dates. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

This essay examines reasons for unrest among the Aboriginal population of the old Northwest in the years leading up to the disturbances of 1885. The writer worked for the Indian Department of the Dominion Government during this time. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.