Where we, when duty’s done, will also come.
It will not be easy for any of those fortunate enough to have witnessed the impressive and natural way in which this coup de théatre was arranged ever to forget it. Taken either as a tableau vivant of a possible historic event, or as an example of truthful spirited eloquence, on both sides, it was a perfect success. At the suggestion of the resident American consul, Hon. W. C. Howells, the old house in St. Louis street, in which the body of General Montgomery was laid out on the 1st January, 1776, was decorated with the American flag, and brilliantly illuminated that night.
In June, 1880, Colonel Strange went to Kingston with his command on the transfer of the batteries; and, in December, 1881, having received his promotion to the rank of major-general, he not long afterwards retired from the service and became the chief factor in the organization of the Military Colonization Company, whose ranche is about thirty-five miles from Calgary, in the Canadian North-West. His two sons, already mentioned, accompanied him to enter upon pioneer life in the North-West and to help him to found the new home there, to which he has given the Indian name of “Namaka.” The breaking out of the Riel rebellion found them engaged in these peaceful pursuits; but the first note of alarm aroused the old warrior, and before the Canadian authorities had time to grasp all the danger that threatened from the Indians, or to take measures for the protection of the exposed settlements, he was heading his neighbors in an organization for defence and giving the country all the benefit of his great military experience and skill. Our space will not permit our following the history of this organization or of the campaign in which it played so important a part. It may, however, be stated that it became the nucleus of the field force of the Alberta district, which was placed under command of Major-General Strange, and that it not only distinguished itself in the actions at Loon Lake, Frenchman’s Butte and elsewhere, but contributed in no small degree to the suppression of the insurrection by driving Riel’s ally, Big Bear, to bay, and preventing a general and bloody uprising of the other Indian tribes and bands throughout the North-West. Of Major-General Strange’s rôle as its commander in that memorable campaign, it is enough to say that it was in keeping with his high reputation as an organizer, a leader and a soldier; and the Dominion owes him a deep debt of gratitude for the valuable and, it may be added, disinterested services he rendered on the occasion. Professional jealousy may seek to deprive him of his full share of credit in the connection, but an intelligent public will not be slow to apportion to him, as to all the other leading actors in the North-West campaign, his rightful merit. The following is a résumé of the operations of the Alberta field force, as it appeared at the time in the columns of the Calgary Tribune: —
The work done by the force under my command, and the results, may be briefly stated as follows:
The cattle districts in the heart of the Indian reserves were secured, the frontier patrolled, and Indian and Fenian incursions prevented, and telegraph communication established.
These results were mainly obtained by the raising of ranche cavalry and home guards, supplemented by the presence of companies of infantry at forts McLeod, Crowfoot, Gleichan and Calgary. These detachments secured the country against the rising of Blackfeet, Bloods, Peigans, Sarcees, etc., protected the railroad, and prevented its abandonment by the C. P. R. officials during the strike and alarm.
No doubt the feeling of alarm was much exaggerated, but could not be otherwise, owing to the utter absence of arms among the settlers, and the impossibility of getting any from the Government.
The transport and supply were extemporized without even the embryo of the establishments considered necessary in a civilized country, while our difficulties were increased by the complete absence of any supplies in the wilderness country through which we passed, and the want of road, telegraph, or even mail communication.
Nevertheless, the rapid march of the three successive columns of the Alberta Field Force stamped out the incipient seeds of active rebellion among the turbulent tribes who had already commenced depredations, more of whom would have joined the Eastern outbreak, but for the timely appearance and location of troops on their reserves; while a famine was prevented in the districts north of Edmonton by the convoys of provisions brought along the protected line of communication.
A flotilla was built at Edmonton, a further supply of provisions collected, and the hazardous and delicate operation of moving troops simultaneously by land and river, in open boats (touch being maintained throughout), and a final successful junction effected within striking distance of the enemy.