Colonial militia in Canada
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The colonial militias in Canada were made up of various
However, the term "militia" was also used to refer to the Canadian regular professional land forces, beginning with the passing of the Militia Act of 1855. Passed by the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, the act created the Active Militia, later referred to as the Permanent Active Militia.[1] After PAM's formation, the remaining sedentary colonial militia regiments were collectively referred to as the Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM).[2] The terms PAM and NPAM continued to be used in Canada until 1940, when the Canadian militias was reorganized into the Canadian Army. The term Militia is still used to refer to the Canadian Army's part-time Primary Reserve.
History
French colonial militia
Military service has been part of
The success of the Canadians was underscored during the French and Indian War by George Washington's defeat at Great Meadows and Edward Braddock's embarrassment at the Monongahela River. The British response was to create new "ranger" and "light infantry" units adept at woodland warfare. When France ceded Canada to Great Britain in 1763, defence of the territory remained a duty shared by Canadian and British colonists, Indian nations, and the regular forces of Britain. As the colonies advanced to nationhood, its people were called to their own defence three times in the next 100 years.
Approximate numbers of militiamen in New France in 1759:
- Acadian Militia – 150 militiamen
- Canadien Cavalry: 200 cavalrymen
- District of Quebec: 5,640 militiamen
- District of Montreal: 5,455 militiamen 4,200 sent to Quebec City
- District of Trois-Rivière: 1,300 militiamen 1,100 to Quebec City
- First Nations: 1,800
Acadia
Until the establishment of Halifax (1749), the militia units in
British colonial militia
American Revolutionary War
In 1775, during the
In the aftermath of the
War of 1812
In 1812, with the United Kingdom engaged in Europe, the United States took the opportunity to declare war and launch another attempt to capture Canada and expand westward into Indian territories. While British redcoats did most of the fighting in the War of 1812, Canadian militia and allied Indian warriors proved to be a vital part of Canada's defence.
The merit of British professional commanders was illustrated by Major-General Sir Isaac Brock in Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles de Salaberry, a French Canadian, in Lower Canada (Quebec). As soon as war was declared, Brock hastened to capture the American post on Lake Huron at Michilimackinac. Besides closing a key crossing on the Great Lakes, his success earned the admiration and loyalty of the Indian leader, Tecumseh. Brock then led a force of his troops along with colonial militia, fencibles and Tecumseh's Indians to capture Fort Detroit, securing the upper Great Lakes.
In the east, the French Canadians fought a crucial battle at
Brock died a Canadian hero as he repelled the American landing at the Battle of Queenston Heights and Tecumseh was later killed at the Battle of the Thames. Many engagements proved to be bloody but indecisive, including the Battle of Lundy's Lane near Niagara Falls, Ontario, the burning of both York (Toronto) and Washington, and in numerous naval engagements on the Great Lakes. When the war concluded in 1815, nothing material had changed for the European powers. The Treaty of Ghent restored all pre-war boundaries. Canadians, meanwhile, discovered the seeds of nationhood in their victories and their sacrifices, while their allies, the Indian nations, saw their hopes for secure boundaries of their own vanish.
Rebellions of 1837–1838
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The militia were actively engaged in the Rebellions of 1837–1838, as well as the aftermath of the Patriot War, which involved American groups invading the Canadas, such as the Battle of the Windmill.
Fenian Raids
In 1855, the Parliament of the Province of Canada passed the Militia Act, which authorized the raising of an initial force of 5,000 (later increased to 10,000) regulars. The act was passed to raise an active force of militia which could partially compensate for the withdrawal of British regulars as a result of the Crimean War. Although additional British troops were re-deployed to Canada to deter a potential Union invasion during the American Civil War, this force played an instrumental role in the defence of Canada from that point forward.[citation needed]
Founded in the mid 19th-century, the
The first serious raid came in June 1866 with 850 Fenians attacking at Ridgeway in the Niagara region, then withdrawing quickly back across the border. This was the largest and best-organized raid, and militia units, again primarily the Queen's Own Rifles and Hamilton's 13th Battalion, were called out. The engagement ended with Fenian victory at Ridgeway, but the Fenians withdrew back to the United States through Fort Erie, where another skirmish was fought before the invaders withdrew across the Niagara River. Militia units skirmished with the Fenians sporadically until 1871. The raids ended after unsuccessful attacks during the Battle of Eccles Hill in Quebec and in the northwest frontier, near the Manitoba border. The Fenians accomplished little, but the Canadian colonies came to recognize a shared need for a vigilant and coordinated defence: a key factor leading to a confederation of the provinces into one country in 1867.[citation needed]
Equipment
Model/Type | Period or Years in Use | Manufacturer/Origins |
---|---|---|
Charleville 1717 | France | |
Charleville 1728 | France | |
Charleville 1746 | France | |
Fusil de Grenadier Tulle | France | |
Fusil de Chasse Tulle | France | |
Queen Ann Musket | 1702–1714 | United Kingdom |
William III Carbine | United Kingdom | |
Nock Carbine | 1780–1790s | United Kingdom |
Elliot Carbine | 1770s | United Kingdom |
Brown Bess Long Land, Short Land, India Patterns | United Kingdom | |
Lovells Pattern 1838 musket and Double Barrel Carbine | United Kingdom | |
Pattern 1842 Musket | United Kingdom | |
Pattern 1851 Rifle | United Kingdom | |
Pattern 1853 Enfield | United Kingdom | |
Lancaster Rifle | United Kingdom | |
Baker rifle | United Kingdom | |
Brunswick rifle | United Kingdom | |
Starr Carbine | 1860s | United States |
Spencer rifle and carbine | 1860s | United States |
Westley Richards Rifle | United Kingdom | |
Peabody Rifle | United Kingdom | |
Snider Enfield |
1860s–1901 | United Kingdom |
Forts
Forts were utilized by both French and British militia units throughout Canada's colonial history. The following forts built by the authorities of New France were used by its military, including its militia units:
Military fortifications continued to be used by the British after the
See also
Notes
- ^ Colonial administration at the time of the fortification's establishment.
References
- ^ "The 1855 Volunteers". Canadian Military Heritage, vol. 2. Government of Canada. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ "The Defence of Canada by Canadians". Canadian Military Heritage, vol. 3. Government of Canada. 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ John Grenier. Far Reaches of Empire: War in Nova Scotia. 1710-1760. Oklahoma University Press. 2008.
- ^ mhg.gc.ca/html/br-ex/search-eng.asp?Num=20&letter=Q&No=0&N=20001+100185+10004+1775&t=0&NoT=31&page=1&Ne=900000