Halifax Provisional Battalion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Halifax Provisional Battalion |
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Halifax Provisional Battalion, Medicine Hat, District of Assiniboia (1885)
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| Active | 1885 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Militia |
| Type | Provisional Battalion |
| Role | garrison unit |
| Size | 6 Infantry Companies & 2 Artillery Companies |
| Part of | Non-Permanent Active Militia Alberta Field Force |
| Engagements | North-West Rebellion |
| Battle honours | North West Canada, 1885 |
| Disbanded | 1885 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Lieutenant-Colonel James J. Bremner |
The Halifax Provisional Battalion was a special group of soldiers from Nova Scotia, Canada. They were sent to help during the North-West Rebellion in 1885. This battalion was led by Lieutenant-Colonel James J. Bremner.
It was made up of about 350 soldiers and 32 officers. These soldiers came from different units:
- Three companies from the Princess Louise Fusiliers
- Three companies from the 63rd Halifax Rifles
- Two companies from the 1st "Halifax" Brigade of Garrison Artillery
The battalion left Halifax on April 11, 1885. They traveled to the Canadian prairies and stayed there for almost three months. Their main job was to protect the CPR train line. This railway stretched across the prairies.
After a short stop in Winnipeg, the battalion was split into four smaller groups. These groups were sent to different places: Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Saskatchewan Landing, and Medicine Hat. The soldiers had to be ready for possible attacks on their positions.
Before this event, Nova Scotia had not felt very connected to the rest of Canada. But when the Halifax Provisional Battalion returned home, there were big celebrations. This helped create a stronger feeling of national pride in Nova Scotia. Prime Minister Robert Borden later said that this event helped unite Nova Scotia with Canada more than anything else since Canada was formed. In 1907, Governor General Earl Grey also said that the soldiers "went out Nova Scotians, they returned Canadians." The beautiful iron gates at the Halifax Public Gardens were even made to honor the battalion.
Contents
Swift Current Station
After traveling for eleven days by train, the battalion arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 22. A few days later, on April 29, they were ordered to go to Swift Current, which was then in the District of Assiniboia. They marched there that same day.
The battalion reached Swift Current on April 30. The next day, they set up camp next to other military groups, including the 7th Battalion.
Medicine Hat Operations
On May 5, a message arrived. It warned that the 63rd group of the Halifax Provisional Battalion should be ready for a possible uprising by the Blackfoot and other Indigenous peoples. There was also a warning about a possible attack on Medicine Hat, District of Assiniboia.
Because of this, the main group of the Halifax Provisional Battalion, with the 66th group, was sent to Medicine Hat. They arrived early the next morning. Other groups, like Stuart's scouts (the Rocky Mountain Rangers), were also camped near the South Saskatchewan River. All these groups stayed in Medicine Hat until the rebellion ended.
Saskatchewan Landing Duties
Soon after the main battalion group left Swift Current for Medicine Hat, two companies from the 63rd group were sent to Saskatchewan Landing. Their job there was to load boats, move supplies, and help transport things across the river.
Moose Jaw Base
One company from the 63rd group and the Halifax Garrison Artillery stayed at Swift Current. This town was still an important place for supplies. Later, these troops moved to Moose Jaw when it became the new supply base. The two companies from Saskatchewan Landing joined them there shortly after.
These two groups had a very busy job. They handled and moved all the supplies going to the front lines. They also provided necessary guards. Sometimes, the non-commissioned officers even volunteered to do the work of regular soldiers to help out. The men hoped their hard work meant they would soon join the fighting at the front. However, to their disappointment, the war ended before they were needed on the front lines.
Return Home
The main group of the Halifax Provisional Battalion left Medicine Hat on June 30. They arrived in Moose Jaw on July 2, and the whole battalion was together again. After staying in Moose Jaw for a week, the battalion was ordered to Winnipeg. They arrived there on July 10 and set up camp.
The battalion left Winnipeg on July 10 to return to Halifax. All along their journey, they were met with "continued ovation." People in towns across Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec were very kind and welcoming. Their reception in Halifax two weeks later, on July 24, was "most enthusiastic." It seemed like the entire city had come out to greet them.
See also
- Military history of Nova Scotia
- History of the Halifax Regional Municipality
- Militia Act of 1855
