Corps of Canadian Voyageurs
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United Kingdom
- British Army (1812–1813)
- British Commissariat Department (1813–1815)
| |
|---|---|
 Shooting the Rapids 1879 | |
| Active | September 1812 – March 1815 |
| Country | British Canada |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch |
|
| Type | logistics |
| Role | transportation |
| Size | 400 |
| Motto | Perseverance |
| Engagements | War of 1812 Skirmish at St. Regis 1812 Battle of Lacolle Mills |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | William McGillivray |
The Corps of Canadian Voyageurs was raised in September 1812 by the British Army as a military water transportation unit. Its mission was to maintain supply lines between Montreal and the western posts. The corps was disbanded in March 1813, and its responsibilities were assumed by the Canadian branch of the British Commissariat Department, part of HM Treasury, under the name Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs. This corps was itself disbanded in March 1815.[1]
The Corps of Voyageurs was organized on the initiative of the North West Company, and its bourgeois and engagés became the officers and men of the corps.[2] The Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs had one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one captain, ten lieutenants, ten conductors (sergeants acting as guides), and about 400 private men.[3]
The army wanted to put the corps into uniform, but that was impractical due to its duties. Instead of a uniform the men of the corps wore the dress of the ordinary civilian voyageurs.
Weapons
The army-issued swords, pikes and pistols were impractical, and they were thrown away or sold and the men used their own frontier weapons: they were issued with Brown Bess muskets, axes and knives.[2]
Discipline
The corps was known for its lack of discipline, at least in comparison with the iron discipline required by the British Army. However, it fulfilled an absolutely essential function, in the "wilderness war".[2]
Officers
- William McGillivray, lieutenant-colonel, commanding officer.
- Angus Shaw, major
- Archibald Norman McLeod, major
- William McKay, captain
- Pierre de Rastel de Rocheblave, captain
Source:[4]
Perpetuation within the Canadian Army
The Canadian Grenadier Guards perpetuates the honours of both corps.[5]