Ric Hall’s Photo Corner

For this week, Ric Hall has selected the photograph theme of “Force artillery pieces.”

In 1874, “C” Troop was the artillery component on the Force’s March West.  This troop consisted of 73 members: commanded by Insp. William Winder with Sub-Inspector Thomas Jackson and Chief Constable J.H,. Gray.

Illustration of NWMP’s “C” Troop pulling the 9-pounders during the 1874 March West (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

The artillery pieces consisted of two 9-pounders – each weighing 4,400 pounds.  For their westward trek, each artillery piece was pulled by a team of four horses.  Other troop teams pulled wagons carrying: two mortars, gun powder and artillery shells.

The Force’s artillery pieces saw action in two separate engagements:

• North West Rebellion 1885 – Inspector Bowen Perry and 25 members were deployed from Fort Macleod with: a 9-pounder; 150 artillery rounds; and 5,000 rounds of rifle ammunition.  They were attached to Major-General T.B. Srange’s military column which saw action at Frenchman’s Butt on May 27 & 28, 1885.  Several 9-pounder shells were fired into Big Bear’s positions; and

• May 1897 Almighty Voice Stand-off – Almighty Voice had killed Constable Colebrook on October 29, 1895 and avoided apprehension. He and his two cousins were located near Duck Lake after shooting a Metis scouts. For three days, Almighty Voice and cousins held a bluff on the Minichnas Hills and fought off repeated attacks by mounted police members.  With each attack, Force members were wounded.  To resolve the situation, Commissioner Lawrence Herchmer authorized the deployment of two artillery pieces from the NWMP headquarters in Regina: 9-pounder and 7-pounder.  After repeated pounding from artillery shells, the actions from the bluff became silent.  Upon advancing, Almighty Voice and his cousins were found dead.

With the exception of these two incidents, the artillery pieces were only used to mark specific celebrations and to stand as monuments.

By 1900, the Force’s inventory of artillery pieces had increased to: two mortars; eight 7-pounder gun; and five 9-pounder gun.

Ric has included the following historical photograph of the Force artillery pieces.

May 24, 1900 – Photograph of Victoria Day celebrations with the NWMP members firing a cannon at Fort Herchmer while Dawson residents looked on (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

photograph

December 1890 – Artillery Detachment “D” and “H” Divisions at Fort MacLeod (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

Photograph of a NWMP Artillery Gun Crew (Source of photo – RCMP Historical Collection – “Depot” Division).

Photograph of RNWMP members at Prince Alberta Post viewing their 7-pounder artillery piece (Source of photo – RCMP Historical Collection – “Depot” Division).

Photograph of RNWMP members taken with a 7-pounder artilley piece at “Depot” Division (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

Photograph of a Force 9-pounder artillery on display at “Depot” Division in Regina (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

Photograph of a NWMP 7-pounder artillery gun at “Depot” Division (Source of photo – Ric Hall’s Photo Collection).

If you have any old Force photographs that you would like to be included in a forthcoming Photo Corner, please contact Ric at rshall69@shaw.ca.  He will scan the image(s) and return the originals to you.