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THE 3 RD (MONTREAL) FIELD BATTERY
. . ITS . .
ORIGIN AND SERVICES.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL A. A. STEVENSON
THE
ORIGIN AND SERVICES
OF THE
Montreal) field Battery of Artillery
WITH SOME NOTES OX
THE ARTILLERY OE BY-GONE DAYS, AND A BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD ARTILLERY.
BY
CAPTAIN ERNEST J. CHAMBERS
ist PRINX-E OK WALES REGIMENT, FusruKus
" fhe nimble gunner
With lynstock now the devilish cannon touches
And down goes all before him."
Shakespeare.
MONTREAL
E. L. RUDDY, 1674 NOTRE DAME STREET
PUBLISHER
1898
CHAPTER
I The Artillery of By-Gone Days
1 1 Organization of the Montreal Field Battery
III The Earliest Days of the Battery ....
IV On Service During the Fenian Raids .
V Service in Aid of the Civil Power . .
VI The Work and Changes of Recent Years .
VII The Battery as it is To-day
VIII Some Official Recognitions of Efficiency .
List of Officers . . . . ,
Roll of Honour
HACK
9
16
3
42
56
62
72
75
Si
82
Of*
o oo o oooooooo ooo o
oe.
It is most meet \ve arm us gainst the foe ;
For peace itself should not so dull a kingdom,
But that defences, musters, preparations
Should be maintained, assembled and collected,
As were a war in expectation.
HKNRY V, ACT ii, SCKNK 4.
We have it on no less an authority than that of Colonel Ivor Herbert, at one
time Commander-in-Chief of the Active Militia Force of Canada that the Artillery
is the most efficient branch of the Dominion s defensive force. This fact being-
conceded, a short history of one of the oldest and most efficient corps in the most
efficient branch of the service should be welcome to all interested in the Canadian
Militia, as helping to show how the foundations of that efficiency were laid, and
how developed.
I venture to express the hope with all modesty, and with a livelv appreciation
of the defects which must exist in any hurried historical compilation of this
character, that this book will prove not merely interesting, but also useful, to the
members of the 3rd Field Battery.
Anyone who has taken an intelligent interest in military affairs knows that
esprit de corps has as much practical effect upon the efficiency of any kind of a
military organization as has its drill, its dicipline, its interior economy, and even
its equipment.
There has always been a sturdy, honest corps spirit in the Montreal Field
Batter}-, officers and men being proud of their battery and of themselves.
I venture to hope that these pages will help to show them that their pride in the
past record of their fine corps is well founded, and assist in keeping the com
mendable spirit alive in the Batter}- for all time.
Here I would like to remark that it appears to me that by assisting every
military corps in the country to write up to date, and keep written up, its record of
services from the very beginning, the Militia Department could do much in the
direction of improving the efficiency of the Force. Had records of the services
rendered by the Quebec Frontier Battalions in the defence of this country been
preserved and published, very shame would have prevented the loyal people of the
frontier counties from allowing their historical battalions, with gallantly earned
battle honours on their colours, to die for lack of popular support.
While thanking all who have assisted me in the preparation of this little
book, I would especially like to express my gratification at being privileged to
embody in these pages what might be described as the military memoirs of that
splendid old Canadian soldier, Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Stevenson, a man known
from one end of this country to the other not less for his open-handed hospitality,
his exceptional urbanity and his good work in municipal life as an Alderman of the
City of Montreal, than for his exceptionally valuable services in the Active Militia.
Most of the information I have embodied in the chapters on the Earliest Days
of the Battery, the Fenian Raids, and Service in aid of the Civil Power was given
to me, during a series of interviews, by Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, and militia
men everywhere, particularly when they are aware of its source, will regard it as a
valuable contribution toward the military history of Canada.
ERXEST J. CHAMBERS,
38A Park Avenue,
Montreal, Que.
August 3ist, 1898.
A CARD OF THANKS
T is but natural, that, as commanding officer of the Third Field Battery, I
should avail myself of the opportunity presented by the publication of this
history of the corps to express in a public and enduring way the thanks of
myself and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of my command, to
those whose assistance and hard work have accomplished such a satisfactory result.
First I must express the gratitude of all ranks in the Batter} 7 to the kind and
generous friends whose subscriptions have enabled us to overcome the great finan
cial difficulties attending such an undertaking as this.
I have also great pleasure in expressing the thanks due to former members of
the Batter} who have contributed the information on which the history of our
organization has been framed.
All who read these pages will, I am sure, agree with me that the Batter} has
been fortunate in securing as its historian Captain Chambers, an officer who, since
his joining the old High School Cadet Rifles as a boy, has taken a constant, active
and intelligent interest in Militia matters, and whose pen, as a journalist, has
always been devoted to what he considered to be the best interests of the Force.
I venture to say that this is one of the most interesting of the series of corps
histories contributed to military literature by Captain Chambers, and it is safe to
predict that the result of his researches as presented in the following pages will be
perused with general interest, and will have for all time a stimulating effect upon
the esprit de corps of the Battery.
I feel that it is moreover incumbent upon me to publicly thank the publisher,
Mr. E. L. Ruddy, for the conscientious way in which he has executed his part of
the work. Mr. Ruddy has done all he agreed to do and more, and the splendid manner
in which the book has been brought out is creditable alike to his conscientious
effort and to his good taste.
RICHARD COSTIGAX, Major,
Commanding the Third Field Battery.
THE GUERTIN PRINTING COMPANY
MONTREAL
THE ARTILLERY OF BY-GONE DAYS.
HE artillery has held a most conspicuous place in the British
Army for years, though the present regiment of Royal
Artillery dates no further back than May, 1716.
According to Richard s history of Her Majesty s Army,
from the chaos of confusion, ineptitude and disorganization
which represents the history of the Ordnance prior to the
above date, there stands boldly out the record of what
English gunners did in by-gone days and in the battles of the olden
time. English guns thundered or tried to thunder at Vannes and
Crecy, Agincourt and Falaise, at the Battle of the Spurs, at Flodden
Field, in the battles fought by William and Marlborough, in the
early Jacobite struggles in Ireland and Scotland. But it is little
more than the bare fact which appears ; the principal details survi
ving are those of wearisome orders of an incompetent Board of
Ordnance, displaying carelessness and ignorance, and jobbery and
all the evil propensities of red tape in excelcis. Strange and unfamiliar names
and offices, of persons and things, are discernible in this blurred record, continuing,
some of them, into the period of nascent order. We read of robinets and minions,
of culverins and basiliskes ; the men who worked or were responsible for these
strange sounding weapons were matrasses, artificers, petardiers, master gunners,
chief bombadiers, fireworkers, over ail of whom was a chief firemaster,
The Royal Fusiliers were raised in 1685 for the special protection of tie
English gunners, who were at that date civilian artificers. All the Fusilier
regiments were originally intended for the special protection of the artillery,
and the grenade is still borne by them in memory of this ancient service.
Though artillery had been in use in British armies for over four hundred
years the artillerymen were not yet regarded as soldiers, but as mechanics
depending upon other soldiers for protection. But, however regarded, it is a matter
of history that they had rendered splendid aid to the state. Cannon are said to
have been used by the English armies on the continent in the reign of Henry III,
1216-1272, and were unquestionably nsed at the capture of Berwick by Edward
III in 1333. At Crecy, 1346, and at Calais, the following year, Edward IV used
four cannon against his French enemies ; and the Moors are said to have used .
cannon in defending Algeciras in 1343. The Board of Ordnance was first con
stituted during the reign of Elizabeth, about 1597, but as far back as 1414 the
ordnance possessed by England was superintended by a Master of the
Ordnance." The word ordnance was derived from the " Ordinance " or law
anciently made to regulate the bore, size and bulk of the artillery. (Capt. Perry s
book on Rank, Badges and Dates.)
Though the first use of English artillery appears to have been in the field,
the organization of the artillery, when such was attempted, appears to have been
directed towards the recognizing only of the garrison branch. The Master Gen
eral of Ordnance had the control of all the master gunners and gunners of the
various garrisons, but held no command in the field without being specially
appointed. In 1755 a train of field artillery was organized in Madras, and in 1798
the companies of the Regiment of Royal Irish Artillery, the successors of the
detachment of the Royal Artillery sent to Dublin in 1755, were divided into
" Heavy " (Siege) and " Light " (Field). The Light had four six-pounders each.
The guns and waggons were horsed and driven by the " Driver Corps."
The corps of Royal Artillery drivers was established in 1793, gradually
reduced after the peace of 1814 and finally abolished in 1822. Until 1815 the
officers were not Royal Artillerymen, and the rank and file were never artillery
men. The officers of the Driver Corps were styled " Corps of Captain Commis
saries." Until 1794 the men were styled " Royal Waggoners." In 1814
there were twelve troops of these men. It was found during the Peninsular War
that the divided allegiance of the Driver Corps caused frequent difficulties in the
field batteries. Towards the end of that campaign the officers of the Driver
Corps were only allowed full control over their men in matters of pay and
subsistence.
Up to so recent a date as 1877 there were no permanent Field batteries in
the British regular service, garrison companies being detailed for field duty when
required. The unwieldiness of the field guns used at Falkirk in 1745 forced on
an improvement in this arm. In 1746 two artillery companies were sent to
10
HIS EXCEU.KNCY THE GOVKRNOR-GENERAI, OK CANADA
THE EARI, OF MINTO, IXC., K.C.M.G.
Flanders, and for a short time two three-pounder guns were attached to each of
the seven infantry battalions on active service on that campaign. During the
next two years three more companies were sent, and there were thirty-two six-
pounders serving with the infantry battalions. The guns were as a rule attached
in pairs, under a subaltern and two non-commissioned officers, to the different
infantry battalions. One waggon accompanied each pair of guns. These guns
seriously impeded the movements of the infantry, and sometimes had to be
abandoned altogether. Their loss diminished the confidence of all the infantry
who had been trained to consider their assistance necessary. In 1795 the "Bat
talion" (Field) guns marched past at the head of the regiments to which they
were attached. The ammunition waggon followed the column. ^At this period
the artillerymen of the Battalion guns in Ireland were required to instruct in each
infantry regiment at least thirty rank and file under a subaltern and two
sergeants.
In 1798 there were a large quantity of field guns in the British service, but
a marked deficiency of trained gunners and horses. The British field artillery
steadily improved during the Peninsular War, until it was acknowledged to be the
best in Europe. Its value was much enhanced by the use of Colonel Shrapnel s
shells. When Waterloo brought peace to war-sick Europe, there were no less
than 114 troops and companies of field artillery.
Among the ordnance stores sent out in the early days of artillery were
numerous sets of men-harness, and in many cases the guns were drawn by drag-
rope instead of horses. The first pieces used by the British in America were so
moved about.
Artillery played no important part in the wars of the French and English
colonists against the Indians. This is natural considering the insurmountable
difficulties of transport. But when the war which resulted in the conquest of
Canada began, the importance of maintaining artillery in the field in spite of
untrodden forests and almost impassable bogs was realized by both combatants,
but especially, apparently, by the British. When Braddock arrived at Alexandria,
Virginia, to conduct his fatal expedition to the Ohio Valley there were sent him
from Ireland the 44th and 48th Regiments and the battalion guns attached to
them, manned by a detachment of fifty men of the regiment of artillery. The
French do not appear to have been so careful to keep their colonial forces supplied
with ordnance. When the French were in possession of Fort Beausejour they
had no artillery ; but they managed to deceive their watchful enemies in Fort
Lawrence, near by. They provided sections of trunks of birch, maple and other
hard, well-grown trees, which they shaped and bored after the fashion of cannon,
securing them from end to end with cordage, and from one of these they regularly
fired a morning and evening gun as is customary in garrisons. Upon the reduc
tion of the place by Monckton, an enquiry was made for the cannon, and it was
then discovered how the force in Fort Lawrence had been deceived.
12
MAJOR-GENERAL E. T. H. HrrroN, C.B., A.D.C. TO THK QUEEN
COMMANDING THE MILITIA OK CANADA
The French authorities appear to have made no earnest effort to establish an
artillery force in connection with their very comprehensive militia system, which
under the law of fiefs made all the male inhabitants, with a very few exceptions,
liable for military service. The theory of the French authorities appeared to be
that if they could depend upon the population of the colony for participation in
their campaigns as voyageurs or guerillas that was all that they would require.
They were consequently not even drilled to any extent in infantry tactics. But,
according to General Murray s report, an artillery company was organized in
Quebec, for he reports on the militia organization of the French regime as
follows : " The militia were generally reviewed once or twice a year to inspect
their arms. The militia of the City of Quebec were frequently exercised, and the
company of artillery every Sunday were exercised at the great gun practice, under
the orders and directions of the artillery sergeant-major of the King s troops."
The first use made of British field artillery in America, while failing to
prevent the disaster of Fort du Quesne, reflected great credit upon the artillery
men. We read that on that fatal day when Braddock s force was ambushed,
when the infantry regiments staggered and hesitated under the deadly fire suddenly
poured upon them from the dense covert, the artillery, although without orders,
pressed to the front, and their leading guns, the field pieces attached to the 44th
Regiment, plied the thickets with grape and cannister, but in a few minutes all
the officers and most of the gunners were stretched bleeding upon the field. How,
after the guns had been thus silenced, the panic became a rout, and how the
artillery shared the fate of the wounded and all the baggage, including the luck
less general s private papers, is familiar to every reader of Canadian history.
The artillery of the British forces operating during this war was used to
more purpose in other and more suitable fields. When Baron Dieskau and his
veteran French soldiers made their spirited attack upon the British entrench
ments on Lake George (1755) they were checked by Johnson s guns, and disheartened
by finding the position armed with artillery. After several gallant attacks they
dispersed in the forest leaving their leader mortally wounded on the field.
All of the British expeditions of any account appear to have had detachments
of field artillery, though the difficulty of moving the guns through the vast tracts
of forests, hampered them considerably in their progress. When Abercromby,
with presumptuous haste, rashly precipitated his splendid infantry against Mont-
calm s lines of abatis in rear of the fort at Ticonderoga, committing them thereby
to certain and complete annihilation, his artillery was, on account of bad roads,
yet lagging in the rear. The artillery officers in charge of the " Battalion " field
guns were doing their best to overcome the natural obstacles, and if the impetuous
general had waited for a few hours until the guns came up and had used them
properly, the British army would probably have been spared one of the most
disastrous defeats in its history. Some authorities of the time said that one hour
of well plied artillery would have swept Montcalm s rude barrier away, Lord Mahon
saying in his history that Abercromby was either misinformed or presumptuous
to expect to force this strong position by infantry alone, and attacking without
awaiting his artillery.
When in 1759 Amherst undertook the task in which Abercromby had failed,
the conquest of Canada by Lakes George and Champlain and the Richelieu, his
large army included one hundred and eleven of the Royal Artillery, having under
charge fifty-four pieces of ordnance of various descriptions. The French forces
opposed to him appear to have been well supplied with artillery such as it was.
When de Bourlemaque, after abandoning Ticonderoga and Crown Point, made a
stand at Isle aux Noix, he still had a hundred pieces of cannon, but only a small
proportion were suitable for field service. The French did not appear to place
the same importance upon the use of field guns as did the British. The day
when Wolfe broke the backbone of French power in Canada on the Plains of
Abraham great exertions were used to get field guns up the cliff to support the
immortal line of infantry. The sailors of the fleet, by almost superhuman efforts,
succeeded in getting one small piece hoisted up to the historic plateau and it
rendered useful service during the battle which was precipitated almost as soon
as it was got into position. The French would have had no such difficulty in
taking a large number of field pieces into action with them, but as a matter of
fact they only used two. It would be hard to credit such evident neglect did we
not find it distinctly stated in Townsend s official report to Pitt after the action.
The lone British field gun which helped to make history on that memorable
1 3th of September, though hoisted up the cliffs with the assistance of the sailors
of the fleet, was served during the battle by the artillery, and the detachment
casualty list shows that the gunners got their share of the hard knocks. It was
as follows: Killed, one gunner; wounded, one "engineer", one bombadier, one
gunner, five matrosses (assistant gunners or ammunition handlers). One of the
two field pieces taken into action by Montcalm was captured by the victors, and
during the final stages of the action the sailors succeeded in hoisting another gun
up the cliff. By the evening of the lyth no less than sixty-one pieces of heavy
and fifty-seven of light ordnance were mounted on British batteries on the Plains
of Abraham and ready to open fire upon the city. On the i8th, Quebec surren
dered and the Louisburg Grenadiers marched in, preceded by a detachment of
Artillery and one gun, with the British flag hoisted on a staff upon the carriage.
This flag was then hoisted upon the highest point of the Citadel to demonstrate
that the British were in occupation.
CHAPTER II
ORGANIZATION OF THE MONTREAL FIELD BATTERY.
S soon as Canada had passed under British rule, within a
couple of weeks of the capitulation of Montreal to General
Aniherst in fact, King George s officers set seriously to
work to secure the organization of a militia force in
Canada. Under the French regime Canada had had
a most comprehensive and useful militia system, a system
which had produced a force of gallant and hardy men that had
done not a little to ward off the day of ultimate conquest. The
military administrators appointed immediately after the insti
tution of British rule set themselves assiduously to work to
organize a British Canadian militia upon the ruins and the
actual lines of the old French colonial militia. It is a remark-
S. able feature of the British colonial policy whether in the Far
^ r ~ " East, the Far West or the Far South, that the British admin
istrators have shown enough confidence in themselves and in
the people of foreign blood made fellow subjects by conquest, to
place arms in the hands of the latter and rely upon them doing
their share towards the protection of the Union Jack. And this practice has
unquestionably had much to do with the success of Britain s colonial policy.
That the British conquerors were willing to return to the officers of the militia
their arms and their commissions, simply upon their taking the oath of allegiance
to their new sovereign, must have been soothing to the pride of a proud people
like the French Canadian noblesse, and they were none the slower to appreciate
this mark of confidence in them when they considered the ungracious treatment
they had received at the hands of the officers of the French regular army and the
servants of the old civil administration.
The first militia organization under British rule in Canada was, strange as
it may seem at first glance, instituted rather to facilitate the administration of
justice than to provide an effective militar}* organization for the defence of the
newly acquired colony. Some kind of a judiciary had to be established, and
naturally the army officers had more faith in the military element in the com
munity than in any other. The professional instinct is more keenly developed
16
in military men than in any other class perhaps, and it is but natural that such
should be the case. So the militia captains of the old French regime, after taking
the oath of allegiance were authorized to sit as judges in certain cases in their
districts, and their sergeants acted as criers, bailiffs, constables, etc.
But it was not long before Canadian militia were enrolled for military duties.
Ainherst s army took possession of Montreal after the capitulation of Canada
September 8th, 1760, and in March, 1764, an order was issued for the enrollment
of two companies of militia in the " Government " of Quebec, two in that of
Montreal and one in that of Three Rivers. The occasion, of course, was the
Indian uprising in the West, known in history as the Conspiracy of Pontiac.
Disputes having arisen as to the validity of the old French militia commis
sions, and civil government having been in the meantime established in Canada,
an ordinance was proclaimed by Governor Murray, in 1765, declaring that "the
keeping up of a militia in this Province at this juncture is not necessary
and ordaining that "on the establishment of British Civil Government in this
Province, the militia before that time established in the same was thereby abolished
and taken away to all intents and purposes whatsoever . . . ."
Carleton organized a militia for the defence of Canada at the time of the
American Revolution, and some of the militia corps fought valiantly, at St. Johns,
at Quebec and at other places. Three hundred of the Montreal militia formed the
greater part of the force with which Major Garden captured Fthan Allen and his
force of Vermonters near Longue Pointe. After the war the militia organizations
were disbanded. Acts providing for the organization of a militia were passed in
1784 and 1786, but the militia provided for was purely a sedentary one, and existed
on paper only. The legislation passed by the assemblies of both Upper and
Lower Canada providing for the organization of the militia, and the prominent parts
taken by the militia of those days in the War of 1812 and in the suppression of
the Rebellion of 1837-38 are matters of general history.
Canadian militiamen assisted to man the guns in Quebec at the time of
Montgomery s assault, but it was not until 1812 that a regularly organized militia
artillery corps was established in the then two provinces of Canada. This was a
garrison artillery company at Montreal, which the 2nd Regiment of Canadian
Artillery now regard as the original of their present organization. Probably the
oldest artillery corps in the Dominion of Canada as it stands to-day is the 3 rd
New Brunswick Regiment of Canadian Artillery, which claims direct descent
from the " Loyal Company of Artillery " organized at St. John, May 4th, 1793.
According to Sir James Lemoine, whose historical researches in the Quebec
district have been practically invaluable, an artillery corps of three companies
known as the Royal Quebec Volunteer Artillery, existed at the Ancient Capital
in 1837. The uniform was identical with that of the Royal Artillery. This corps
was composed of a fine set of men, officered like the infantry by young merchants
and professional men, who, having been instructed by the regulars, acquired
great proficiency, particularly in the art of gunnery, and handled the cannoTf
around the battlement walls in a most creditable manner, forming an important
part of the service for garrison duty.
It was not until 1855 that field artillery figured in the Canadian militia lists.
As a matter of fact it is doubtful that such a thing as a militia field battery existed
in any service before that date. It will be remembered that 1854 was the date of
the opening of the Crimean War, when Britain and France made common cause
against Russian aggression, and a general war appeared impending. Britain was
especially unprepared for the contest. During the long peace that had followed
the tremendous victor} 7 of the Iron Duke
at Waterloo, the army had been allowed
to dwindle away, and the equipment was of
the worst, while the administration of the
Army was extremely deficient. Every train
ed soldier and every field gun in Canada was
needed in the Crimea, and this at a time
when military protection for this country
might be required at any moment. The
Home government at this crisis practically
depended upon this country to protect itself,
and the people were equal to the occasion.
The organization of several corps of militia
was authorized, among them the Montreal
Field Battery.
The chief credit for the organization of this
corps belonged to Major W. F. Coffin. That
gentleman was a man of large general inform-
Jation and had the advantage of a generous
education. He w as a man of man}- parts.
He had held an important appointment in the
Court House at Montreal, had been entrusted
with the organization of the government
offices and was at the head of the railway
running from Caughnawaga to Plattsburg, one of the oldest railways in Canada.
He was named by the government to administer and generally look after the
valuable property turned over by the Imperial government to the Colonial one,
and he finally disposed of the principal land areas. He held various other im
portant appointments under the old administration and the later Colonial govern
ment. He was a wealthy man, owning large tracts of land in the Eastern
Townships. Mrs. Coffin, a fine old lady of the old stamp, is still living in
Montreal, bright and intelligent in spite of her eighty-seven years. Mr. T. C.
Coffin, manager of the Quebec office of the Quebec Bank is a son.
18
From a Daguerreotype
I,IF.rT.-O>I. \\ I 1,1,1AM FRANCIS COFFIN
MUST COMMANIMM; o! i IO:K <n TIII-: MONTREAL
I- IKM) HATTKKV.
The transactions of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, an institu
tion whose publications are of the greatest interest to all students of Canadian
history, for the session of 1872-73, contained a paper by Lieut. -Colonel Coffin on
" Some additional incidents in connection with the siege and blockade of Quebec,
in 1775-76." _
From this it appears that the grandfather, father and two uncles of the organ
izer of the Montreal Field Battery were all present in Quebec during the siege ; and
the former took a very active part in that notable event.
The ancestry of the founder of the Battery, it appears from the cleverly
written paper mentioned above, was worthy of the brave and loyal corps he
established.
John Coffin, the grandfather of the Major, though an unobtrusive, undemon
strative man was a resolute loyalist. Born and brought up in Boston, in the years
before the historical tea party in Boston Harbour, he resisted the revolution, and
made himself so obnoxious to the revolutionists that he was by name proscribed,
and his property confiscated by act of the Massachusetts Legislature, September,
1778. Forewarned by friends, and taking time by the forelock, he freighted a
schooner, of which he was part owner, with his family and worldly goods, and
coasted round from Boston to Quebec, where he must have arrived in or about
June, 1775, for the following month he purchased a piece of land under Cape
Diamond.
According to Sir James Lemoine " In the United Bmpire Loyalists, the War of
Independence added a most noticeable element of prosperity and refinement to the
population of Canada. Some 10,000 staunch adherents of the British Crown came
across the Border, or penetrated by ship to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. These
brave men had sacrificed fortune and position to consistency, and their allegiance to
King George ; and King George, as a good and paternal sovereign, indemnified them
by pensions, land grants, honours, and emoluments, to the best of the ability of
the British exchequer." It must be remembered that the British exchequer was not
in anything like so sound a position in 1777 as it is to-day.
After purchasing his Quebec property, Mr. John Coffin went to work at once
to establish a distillery, when his labours were interrupted by the American
invasion in September ; and from that time to the end of the siege of Quebec, his
infant industry was paralyzed. Nor was this the sturdy loyalist s only trouble at
the time. A brig belonging to him had been detained by the British consul at
Lisbon for six months, as being the property of a rebel, though at this very time he
was carrying a brown bess for His Majesty at Quebec.
To what effect he carried his musket in the King s service is shown by docu
ments which speak for themselves. His services attracted attention in quarters
capable of appreciating them, as is shown by the following letter received by Mr. Coffin
from Colonel Allan Maclean, 87th Regiment, who commanded the heroic garrison
of Quebec during the siege of 1775-76 :
" QUEBEC, 28 JULY, 1776.
" Sir :-
" As I am, in a few days, going to England with despatches from the Commander-
in-Chief, I should be glad to know if I could be of any service to you. Power to do
yon any material service I have none ; but your conduct during the siege of Quebec,
last winter and spring, makes it a duty on my part to give you my testimony and
approbation of every part of your conduct. Truth must always have some weight
with His Majesty and his ministers, who, I am certain, wish to reward deserving
men like you. To your resolution and watchfulness on the night of December 3ist,
1775, in keeping the guard at Pres-de-Ville under arms, waiting for the attack
which you expected; the great coolness with which you allowed the rebels to
approach ; the spirit which your example kept up among the men, and the very
critical instant in which you directed Captain Barnsfare s fire against Montgomery
and his troops, to these circumstances alone I do ascribe the repulsing of the
rebels from that important post, where, with their leader, they lost all heart.
" The resolutions you entered into, and the arrangements you made to maintain
that post, when told you were to be attacked from another quarter, were worthy of
a good subject, and would have done honor to an experienced officer. I thought it
incumbent upon me to leave with you this honorable testimony of your services, as
matters that were well known to myself in particular ; and I should be happy, at
any time, to have it in my power to be useful to yon ; and do assure you that I am,
with truth and regard, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
"Mr. Coffin. (Signed,) ALLAN MACLEAN."
This generous testimony, on the part of Colonel Maclean, sufficiently estab
lishes the share which John Coffin took in the defence of the Pres-de-Ville. He was
not in command ; he was not an officer ; he was simply a volunteer soldier defend
ing the hearthstone of his Canadian home. Other Canadian volunteers, thousands
of them, have given their life blood for the same cause.
Lieut.-CoL Henry Caldwell, who commanded the "British" Militia (English
speaking residents of Quebec) during the siege, certifies by a document given under
his hand, May, 1787, that "John Coffin, Esq. served in the British militia under
my command, during the siege of this town by the rebels, from November, 1775, to
May, 1776; during all of which time he conducted himself and behaved with the
greatest spirit, xeal and activity in the King s service, which, by his example, was
very much promoted, particularly on the attack of the 3ist December, when he very
much distinguished himself."
The same officer in another letter wrote that soon after the enemy was repulsed
on the Pres-de-Ville side " some old women brought an account that the rebels had
surprised the post at Sault-au-Matelot, and had got into the lower town. Part of the
garrison, that had lately behaved so well, were struck with a panic, and began, some
to hide their arms, and some to throw them into the river. The officer began to
20
MAJOR RICHARD COSTIGAN
COMMANDING MONTRKAI. FIELD BATTKKY
feel a little frightened, when a Mr. Coffin, a British gentleman, who, with his wife
and twelve children had taken refuge there, expecting to find there peace and
quietness, and who had served previously in our militia, drew his bayonet, and
declared he would put the first man to death who laid down his arms or who attempted
to abandon his post ; by which means he re-established order, and with the assist
ance of Captain Barnsfare (a ship captain), who commanded the seamen, got two of
the guns pointed at the opposite sides, in case Arnold s people, having got into the
Lower-Town, should attempt to force the post on that side."
Sir Guy Carleton, in a letter dated December 25th, 1779, had the following to
sa} r about Mr. Coffin: "Having observed in all his conduct, from his arrival in
the Province of Quebec till I left it, a constant attachment and zeal for the King s
service, as well as the manner of a prudent, worthy man, I could not but interest
myself for him. Yet his conduct and judicious behaviour on the morning of the
3ist December, 1775, gave him a still stronger claim on me; for to him, with the
assistance of Barusfare, I attribute the repulse of the rebels on the side of Quebec,
where Mr. Montgomery attacked in person ; while the success on the otherside was
very different and brought the town into no small danger. Now, whether we con
sider the strength of this post, the number allotted to its defence, or the former
services of the officer who commanded, we might have expected as much, at least,
from him, a remarkable proof, this, that former services and greater numbers may
be outdone by superior vigilance and good sense of gentlemen, though not used
to arms."
Colonel Coffin s grandfather must certainly be credited then with a prominent
part in one of the most momentous military achievements in Canadian history. It
was a most critical time for British rule in Canada.
As Colonel Coffin himself puts it in the paper quoted : " On that memorable
winter morning, the flame of fidelity to the British empire, paling throughout the
American continent, flickered uncertainly over the walls of Quebec. At midnight
the desperate Arnold had forced the St. Roch suburb and the Lower Town, and
although obstinately resisted, doggedly fought on, hoping and looking for a junction
with Montgomery. An hour later, and a resolute volley had decided the fate of a
great country. The brave Montgomery was slain, his detachment annihilated ;
Arnold was wounded ; the American army was in full retreat. Quebec had been
saved, and the flickering flame of fidelity to the British empire blazed up therefrom,
thenceforth and forever, a beacon of light, inextinguishable in Canada."
If heredity counted for anything, the government of the day could depend upon
the gentleman entrusted with the organization of the Montreal Field Battery doing
his duty.
Major Coffin organized the Battery on the authorization and order of the Hon.
George Moffat, who, at the time, was in command of the Active Force of the Mon
treal district. As soon as he received his order, Major Coffin invited Mr. Henry
Hogan, then a young man, to join the corps as lieutenant.
22
Up to this date such few volunteer corps as existed in Canada were not guided
by any clearly denned laws and rules, and many injustices occurred. Mr. Hosran
had commanded a volunteer cavalry troop in Montreal some time previous to the
passage of the militia act of 1855, and had devoted considerable time and means to
it. When the old active force, under the new act, assumed a permanent form a
gentleman named Ramsay was sent to England to learn the drill, and when he
returned, he was promoted over Mr. Hogan s head. The latter, naturally felt
aggrieved at this and resigned, and did not feel disposed to rejoin the reorganized
force as an officer of the new Field Battery. But Hon. Mr. Moffat joined Major
Coffin m his request that Mr. Hogan should
join the battery, and after considerable persua
sion, he agreed. - Lieut-Col. Hogan says he
never regretted his decision, for Major Coffin
was a splendid officer and a perfect gentleman,
and it was a pleasure to serve under him. He
showed great confidence in his subaltern, and
for a time the battery was left pretty much in
his hands.
The first officers of the Battery were
Major W. F. Coffin, Captain Henry Hogan,
Lieutenant A. Lamontagne and Second
Lieutenants Hobbs and Owen. The latter was
formerly British Mail Officer. Dr. Fenwick
was the Surgeon. The first instructor was an
old Royal Artillery Sergeant named Logan.
The senior surviving officer of the original
battery is Lieut-Colonel Henry Hogan. who,
still hale and hearty, is a familiar figure to all
citizens of Montreal, and whose name is
familiar to travellers from one end of the
world to the other.
The senior non-commissioned officer of
the Battery at its organization was A. A.
Stevenson, since then known throughout the length and breadth of Canada as
Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, a man who has done more for the Montreal Field
Battery in particular and the Militia force in general than any man who ever wore
uniform. The gallant colonel had no idea of taking any interest in military
matters at the time he was induced to join the Battery, and he gave in his name to
Coffin against his own best judgment almost. Colonel Stevenson related
i circumstances connected with his joining the Battery in such an interesting
way that I cannot do better than give his own words. He said :
When the militia act was passed in 1855, and they spoke about organizing a
23
From a Daguerreotype
LIEUT. -COL. HENRY HOGAN,
COMM. \\DINC, MONTREAL ARTILLERY, 1X56-1X66.
field battery of artillery in Montreal I had not the slightest idea of taking any part
in it, in fact had no special fancy for military work. I had my own business to
attend to.
" One day I was in the Mechanics Institute, in which I took a great interest,
when a gentleman came up to me and said he wanted to speak to me for a moment.
He said that he was organizing, under the authority of the government, a battery
of field artillery in Montreal, and he had been advised to see me. He added that he
wanted me to assist him to organize the corps. I replied at once that I had no idea
of meddling in military matters at all. He, however, persisted, and said that it was
the duty of every loyal man to prepare to do his duty. There was every prospect
of trouble with the United States, and it must come sooner or later, he said. He
pointed out that the men who were coming to the front across the lines were
actuated by a violent antipathy to everything British, and they appeared anxious
to pick a quarrel on the slightest pretext.
" He added that as trouble was coming it would be better to belong to an
organized and disciplined corps when sent against an invader than to be one of an
undisciplined mob. It would be better to have confidence in your comrades and to
suffer from the men in front than from those in the rear.
" This was Major W. F. Coffin, a man I had known, of course, but had had no
previous personal communication with. He, at the time, or shortly before, held
the office of Joint Sheriff of Montreal with the late Mr. John Boston. He was a
major before the organization of the battery. He was certainly well up in military
matters, and some years later he wrote a " History of the War of 1812."
" He urged me to consent, and on my still declining, he requested me to think
it over for the night. I did give it some slight thought, but soon decided that I had
no inclination for the work. But casually mentioning the matter to some of my
friends, they asked me what there was to hinder me joining. It appeared to be a
good chance, and if I refused to avail myself of it I might regret it. Well, I met
him again, and he said he hoped I had made up my mind to help him. I told him
I did not think soldiering would suit me at all. I was just then pretty deeply
engrossed in business. I was a partner in a big printing establishment. We had
started the Sun in 1853, and it was still running. But the Major, at any rate,
finally persuaded me to join, and at once began to talk over the question of the
organization of the battery. He entered into an exposition of all the difficulties
ahead. We wanted men of the right kind and we wanted men with horses. He had
spoken to many, and some had agreed to join. Others said they would if certain
acquaintances would. We at once set to work to communicate with desirable men,
and we made the best use of my printing office for sending out circulars, etc.
Finally we obtained promises from many people, and the battery started with
plenty of the very finest material at its disposal.
" Before speaking to me, the major had arranged for all his officers, and told
me that he regretted he had not known earlier that I would go in with him, for he
24
x
1 MAJOR R. COSTIGAN
2 SrRGEox MAJOR C. \V. WILSON
3 CAPTAIN DONALD A. SMITH
OFFICERS OF 3rd MONTREAL FIELD BATTERY
4 VKTERIXARY CAPTAIX CHAS. MCKACHRAN
5 LIEUTENANT F. A. CRATHERN
6 LIECTEXAXT G. W. STEPHENS. JR.
would have liked to have given me a commission. He, however, did the next best
thing and made me senior staff sergeant, as he called it. His officers were Henry
Hogan, a Mr. Owen, who lived for some time at Chambly, and a Mr. Lamontagne.
The latter went to the States to live, and the major appointed in his place Mr.
Henry Bulmer." Mr. Hobbs, who joined the Battery in the hope of receiving an
appointment as an officer was disappointed, there being no vacancy for him. A
meeting to recruit the battery was held at the Mechanics Institute on a notice issued
by Major Coffin. It required seventy-five men for the battery, and the roll of
enlistment at the first general meeting showed nearly one hundred and fifty names.
Colonel Stevenson states that Major Coffin selected the best men for the Field
Battery, and placed the names of the others on a supernumerary list. This enroll
ment of these supernumeraries finally resulted in the establishment of a company of
foot artillery, attached to the Field Battery, the whole corps being designated "The
Montreal Artillery ". There had been an efficient garrison artillery corps in Mon
treal in 1837-38, and it had a nominal existence for many years later, but, at the
time we are speaking of, the officers of the old garrison artillery, instead of joining
the volunteer movement then inaugurated, did nothing, expecting the government
to make of their corps the basis of the new artillery force in Montreal. But the gov
ernment did nothing of the kind, preferring to take the men who volunteered
under the new act. The new Militia Act came into force July ist, 1855, but the
Battery was not gazetted until September 27th.
Mr. William Masterman, Senior, another veteran ex-officer of the battery
relates that among those who attended the first meeting in connection with the
organization of the battejy were several well-known citizens alive to-day. Among
them Henry Bulmer, William McGibbon, Wm. Robb, at present City Treasurer of
Montreal, T. W. Boyd, A. A. Stevenson, Henr}- Hogan and himself. On the
organization of the battery, Mr. Masterman was made a sergeant, ranking after
A. A. Stevenson, who was staff sergeant.
Next to Maj. Coffin, Mr. Masterman says, the greatest credit for the organization
of the Battery was due to A. A. Stevenson, and more thanks are due to that gen
tleman for the maintenance of the corps on its fine footing than to all others put
together. Mr. Masterman added that he left the battery after seven years service
with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was offered the command of the Foot Com
pany but declined.
The Militia Act of 1855 is officially designated " 18 Victoria, Chapter 77, An
Act to Regulate the Militia." It provided for the establishment of eighteen military
districts, and defined the Active Militia as follows : " The Active Militia shall
consist of Volunteer troops of cavalry, field batteries and foot companies of Artil
lery, and companies of infantry armed as riflemen, but not exceeding in the whole,
sixteen troops of cavalry, seven field batteries of artillery, five foot companies of
artillery, and fifty companies of riflemen, the total number not to exceed five
thousand officers and men."
26
The Act also provided that " Each Field Battery shall consist of a captain, two
first lieutenants, one second lieutenant, a sergeant major, three sergeants, three
corporals, three bombardiers, a trumpeter, a farrier, fifty-nine gunners and drivers,
including wheelers, collar maker and shoeing smith, fifty-six horses, exclusive of
officers horses, and four spare horses when the Battery is called into actual service."
Section XXXVII of the Act read as follows : " Each sergeant major of a
volunteer battery of field artillery shall, on account of the great responsibility
attached to the office, be paid by the Province at the rate of fifty pounds per annum."
Section CXV reads as follows : " This Act shall come into operation upon the
first day of July, 1855, and shall be in force for three years, and from thence until
the end of the next ensuing session of the Parliament of this Province, and no longer ;
THE 3RD MONTREAL FIELD BATTERY AS IT WAS IN 1893.
ARMAMENT : FOUR g-iWNDKR R.M.L. GUNS
provided that if at the time when this Act would otherwise expire, there should
happen to be war between Her Majesty and the United States of America, then this
Act shall continue in force until the end of the session of the Provincial Parliament
next after the proclamation of peace between Her Majesty and the said United
States, and no longer."
After enlisting the men, a good deal of time was consumed in making arrange
ments for the uniforms, etc. The officers finally selected a double breasted, blue
frock coat, red-striped artillery trousers, somewhat similar to those worn now, and a
black, shaggy, monkey skin head-dress, very much like the Fusilier bearskin, but
with the front of the crown slightly projecting. It was originally intended that this
head-dress should be devoid of ornament, but Staff Sergeant Stevenson suggested that
27
there should be something to relieve it, and the officers finally pitched upon a large
bullion tassel which was suspended by a golden cord in front of the busby. This
imposing head-gear was made by a man named McDowall, who had a fur establish
ment on McGill street. The officers uniforms were made by Gibb & Co., and the
men s by Henry Lavender.
At first the government gave the battery twenty days drill pay per annum, one
dollar a day for each man and the same for each horse. In 1855, they received no
drill pay, but received a double allowance in 1856. It was late when they began
drill the first year, but they did some work in foot drill, sword exercise, etc, in the
East end of the Bonsecours Market Hall. Early in 1856, the Battery began gun
drill, and drilled regularly under an old Royal Artillery Sergeant, named James
Logan, whose son at present carries on business as watchmaker and jeweller, in
Huntingdon. The Battery usually drilled on Wednesday afternoons. This was
the slack day for the men having business at the markets, and the Battery had a
goodly number of them in the ranks, among whom were Wm. Masterman, the three
Baudens, Edward Charters, George Monaghan, Robert Nicholson, John Outhet, John
Cooper, Christopher Breadon and others. Part of the season, the Battery drilled once
a week, at other times twice a month, and so on, and this was the practice for several
years. The horses were supplied to the Battery by John Mclntosh, Patrick Hughes,
T. Lecompte, Thomas Potter, James Saunders and others. The Battery had
foot drill every morning, at five o clock, and had full parades. The corps
drilled at the old Royal Artillery Quarters, at the Quebec Gate Barracks.
It was the Spring of 1856 before the equipment of the Battery was complete,
and the gunners could do all of their drill satisfactorily. The armament consisted
of three six-pounder brass smoothbore guns and one twelve-pounder howitzer. The
usual equipment of the field batteries in the regular army at that time included four
six-pounders and two howitzers. But it was decided to organize seven batteries in
Canada, and, as there were not enough guns in the country to give them the full
armament of the regular batteries, the guns were divided up as far as they would go.
It is a fact that appears to have been lost sight of, that, in 1855, the British govern
ment transferred to the government of Canada, then comprising only the present
limits of the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, ordnance lands and stores to the value
of millions of pounds sterling, on the express understanding that Canada shoiild keep
up and drill annually an effective militia force of 40,000 men. The property turned
over was more than enough to pay the cost, and yet the agreement has been
regularly ignored, and though half a dozen other provinces have been added to the
country, Canada does not to-day maintain a militia force of 40,000 men even on paper.
The Battery did its first field work at Logan s Farm, at Sisson s Farm, and at
Major Coffin s place, " Uplands", at the back of the Little Mountain. It had a camp
or two at one or the other of these places and drilled from four to eight in the
mornings, and from seven to nine in the evenings. It had target practice during
the winter on the ice of the St. Lawrence River, opposite St. Helen s Island.
28
Colonel Hogan, who commanded the Montreal Artillery for some time, comes
from an old military family, his father having been a captain in the Inniskilling
Fusiliers in 1815. He, himself, almost made up his mind to join the Seventh
Hussars in 1839, and, in 1846, he actually began his military career by joining
Colonel Shuter s Battalion of the old Lower Canada Militia as Quartermaster.
The militia organizations of those days were, however, merely nominal, and lie
had no duties to perform.
Colonel Hogan says that when the looth Regiment was organized as a contri
bution by Canada towards Imperial defence, he set to work to qualify for a
commission as major, by raising the necessary quota of 200 men. When he had
raised nearly the required number of men, he found that the commissions had been
practically allotted, and he turned over his men to Major Dunn, who otherwise
could not have qualified for his majority. The career of Major Dunn is, or ought
to be, familiar to all readers of Canadian military history. This gallant Canadian
soldier of the Queen saw his first military service in the Crimea as an officer in the
nth Hussars, winning the Cross for Valour at that most heroic and dramatic of
all battles, Balaklava. In the celebrated charge of the Six Hundred the nth were
on the extreme left of the Light Brigade. After performing prodigies of valour,
the nth, overpowered by numbers, were retreating. While literally hewing their
way back, Dunn s horse was shot from under him. He sprang upon one that was
rushing riderless about the bloody field, and dashed to the assistance of Sergeant
Bentley who was beset by three Russian lancers. Without a moment s hesitation,
he at once attacked them, and by the strength of his arm and the vigour of his
charge succeeded in cutting them down. A little further on, the Russians had
flocked together, and attacked in small bands individual members of the nth.
A Russian hussar officer, with others, had fallen upon Private Levett and was
about to cut him down, when Lieutenant Dunn, bursting through, struck the
Russian officer to the ground with his sword. For these daring deeds, he was
recommended with one accord by his companions in arms for the Victoria Cross
when Her Majesty instituted that token of honour. Lieutenant Dunn was the
third member of the Army who had the decoration attached to his breast by Her
Majesty. He retired on the sale of his commission in 1855 and returned to Canada,
but re-entered the army as major in the looth. Being transferred from that regiment,
he attained the command of the famous 33rd Duke of Wellington s Regiment, and
saw service with it in Abyssinia, where he met an untimely death.
29
CHAPTER III
THE EARLIEST DAYS OF THE BATTERY.
HE first public occasion upon which the Battery had an oppor
tunity to turn out, but which owing to some misunderstanding
between the committee and the officer commanding, it did not
avail itself of, was the great public demonstration in honour of
the opening of the Grand Trunk Railway to the Canadian
western terminus of the line at Sarnia, and of the inauguration
of the new Montreal Water Works. The completion of these
two important works was celebrated by a demonstration of
rejoicing extending over the i3th, i4th, and isth of November, 1856.
The completion of the Water Works was a most important thing for
Montreal, for the citizens had felt very unsafe since the great fire of
July 8th, 1852. In that disaster the whole of that part of the city from
St. Lawrence Street to Molson s Brewery was swept out of existence ;
5,000 houses were destroyed and no less than 20,000 persons rendered .
homeless. Immediately after this terrible visitation, work was begun on the
present fine water works system, and it was completed in 1856. There had been a
sort of a water works of very limited capacity before that with a pumping station
somewhere near the Bonsecours Church, and the reservoir where the present
vSt. Louis Square is, on St. Denis Street. The great event in connection with the
inauguration in question was the turning on of the large fountain at Victoria Square.
The whole demonstration was a glorious affair. One day there was a great
trades procession, followed by a magnificent banquet at the Grand Trunk Railway
works at Point St. Charles, when 3,000 guests sat down to dinner under one roof.
Then there was a public ball in the City Concert Hall, in the upper part of the
Bonsecours Market building, and on the last day there was a grand review of the
military force, in which, as above described, the Battery did not participate, though
the other volunteer corps were on parade. These included the Cavalry Troop and
the Rifle Companies, which, in 1860, were united into a battalion numbered the First
or Prince of Wales Rifles, now the Prince of Wales Fusiliers. There was plenty of
excitement at the review. It was the time of muzzle loaders, when the ramrod
30
played so conspicuous a part in the drill of the infantry soldier. The riflemen were
not used to reviews, and some of them became so excited that they forgot to take
the ramrods out of their guns. The result was that quite a number of ramrods went
flying over the heads of the spectators. Five or six persons had ramrods passed
through the crowns of their hats, and a number had narrow escapes, but no one was
seriously hurt. Hundreds of people came from the United States to the celebration ;
so manj- in fact that it was a very hard matter billeting them out.
It was in this year, too, 1856, that Lieut. -Col. Stevenson obtained his first
commission.
The men were getting uniformed, and the officers had been ordered to go and
give their orders for uniforms. Lieutenant Owen delayed doing so, and Major
Coffin, knowing of it, went up to him one day on parade and bluntly asked him
why he had not obeyed the orders. He replied that he was waiting until he saw
how he liked the service. The major rejoined that his liking of the service had
nothing to do with it. That was supposed to have been determined the day he
joined the Batter}-, and he would give him just twenty-four hours to comply with
the order. When the next drill took place Owen did not turn up, but Major Coffin
found out that he had not ordered his uniform. He consequently asked Staff
Sergeant Stevenson to go with a letter to Owen s office, which was on St. Francois
Xavier Street, about where Major Bond s office is now, and bring back an answer.
Owen, who was very much annoyed, showed the staff sergeant the letter. It
demanded a satisfactory explanation or Owen s resignation. Owen at once wrote
out his resignation, and handed it to the sergeant, and he at once took it to the
major s office.
The major said that he then had the opportunity to show his appreciation of
Sergeant Stevenson s services for the Battery, and offered him the commission
resigned by Owen, which he accepted.
In 1856-57 the Battery had its target practice on the river during the winter,
firing from the Island to the Longueuil Road. Six hundred yards was considered
a good range for these guns in those days. The battery had practice twice a week
for some time. At the first practice, out of twenty rounds of solid shot fired, fifteen
went through the target, and six or seven through what was then the bulls-eye.
When Lieut. Stevenson presented the target report to the colonel commanding the
Royal Artillery here, he said it was remarkably good practice and enquired if the
officers had the usual range party. The lieutenant told him that they had, but the
colonel sent his brigade major to inspect the target to verify the returns. The
result was to put up the stock of the Battery very much among the regulars.
Early in 1857 Major Coffin was appointed to the position of Ordnance Land
Commissioner, and transferred from the Battery to the civil service of the govern
ment. Major Hogan was appointed to command both corps, and Lieut. Stevenson
was appointed to be Captain of the Field Battery, Henry Buhner being made
Captain of the Foot Company. Major Coffin died in Ottawa, on January 28th, 1878.
It was early in 1857 that the Battery first turned out with the regulars. The
force had manoeuvres on the ice, the Foot Company of the Artillery defending the
Island, and the Field Battery, the regular regiment in garrison, the 3Qth Foot,
and the Rifle Companies forming the attacking force. General Eyre was in
command, and he expressed himself delighted with the Battery s work that day,
calling out several times " Well done, the Field Artillery." The Battery had to
cross great pieces of ice, blocks fifteen or twenty feet high frequently obstructing
the way. The gunners had several times to unhitch the horses from the guns,
and haul the latter over the rough fields of ice by the drag ropes.
In 1857 th e Batter} 7 went on an
excursion to St. Albans, Vermont,
accompanied by part of Number One
Troop of Cavalry. The Officers and
men had a very good time, and every
thing passed off quietly, a bit of a
dispute with the caterer, who failed to
carry out his contract, excepted. It
was a great event for St. Albans, peo
ple nocking there from all parts of
Vermont and Northern New York.
While there the Battery did a little
drill in the public square which greatly
pleased the American spectators. This
was the first case of a Canadian military
organization crossing the boundary line
since the war of 1812.
The year 1858 was a notable one in the
history of the Battery. The Rifles went
to Portland that year, and the Battery
decided to go to New York to assist in
the celebration of the completion of the
first Atlantic cable, which was considered
as a most important step in the direction of improving the relations existing between
Great Britain and the United States. A committee of the Battery went to New York
as soon as this decision was arrived at, and made arrangements for the trip, the
famous Seventh Regiment arranging to look after the visitors. The Battery went to
New York accompanied by a tremendous excursion of no less than 1000 people, and
all had a magnificent time. The excursion was such a large one that the railways
found it difficult to provide the necessary accommodation, and man} of the excursion
ists had to ride on platform cars. The party left on a Monday morning and crossed
to St. Lambert by the " Iron Duke " and " Prince Albert ", for there was no bridge
then. From St. Lambert they went by rail to Rouse s Point, thence taking the
Daguerreotype.
I.IEUT. STKYKNSON AND CAl T. HOGAN
!58.
Lake Champlain steamer to Whitehall. The steamer had such a tremendous crowd
of people on board that she had to stop at Burlington to get scantling to shore up
the deck. She arrived at Whitehall some hours late, and the Battery and excur
sionists transferred to the train again, but instead of arriving at Troy at seven, as
had been intended, it was nearly midnight. The military, even at that late hour, were
awaiting their arrival, and everybody in Troy appeared to be up, for the streets were
jammed with people. The Battery s military friends insisted that the Montreal
corps should have a parade through the streets, and of course Captain Stevenson
consented. All the streets were lit up and the sidewalks crowded with cheering
people. Flags were flying, guns firing, and altogether the Canadian artillerymen
were received like conquerors. There was another magnificent demonstration at
Saratoga as they passed, and in fact at every place the Battery stopped it received
a most enthusiastic and kindly reception.
The Battery embarked on the Hudson River steamer " Francis Skiddy" at Troy,
and when she left her wharf she had no less than 2,400 people on board. So heavily
laden was she that she stuck on a bar between Troy and Albany, and instead of
reaching New York at six o clock next morning, she did not arrive until half
past two in the afternoon.
The Seventh had detailed Numbers Two and Five Companies, Captains Shaler
and Ribley, to meet the Battery, and they had been on the wharf since half past five
in the morning, except for a short interval, during which they had been dismissed.
On arrival, and after the formal reception by the companies of the Seventh, the
Battery went to the Stevens Hotel at the foot of Broadway, and got rid of their
impedimenta. The Batten did not have its guns and horses with it, officers and men
merely having their uniforms, accoutrements and side amis. The corps had a full
turn out, and the men looked remarkablv well.
Having cleaned up, the Batter} marched up Broadway and down to a ferry
steamer at the foot of Grand Street, which took them to the islands in the Sound
for an outing, where the gunners were very handsomely entertained. The next da} ,
the first of September, was the big day. The Montreal corps paraded at Battery
Park on the right of the Seventh, and took part in the big military parade. The
line of march was up Broadway to 44th Street, where the New York Crystal Palace,
in which they were holding a grand exhibition, was located. There the military
forces were dispersed. The Battery received a most cordial reception everywhere.
This event was memorable in that it was the first occasion since the British
evacuation of New York that the Union Jack was carried np Broadway by a British
military organization, and with one single exception the Montreal Field Battery is
the only British corps that has had the honour of doing that since the British
evacuation. The exception was on the occasion of the international naval parade
in New York at the Columbian review in 1893, when Admiral Sir John Hopkins
brigade of Royal Marines and Bluejackets carried the Union Jack through Broadway.
The principal officers of the Seventh, at the time that regiment extended hos-
33
pitality to the Montreal Field Battery, were Colonel Duryea, Lieutenant-Colonel
Marshall Lefferts, and Major J. B. Pond. Colonel Winchester, of the Express
Company, was the Quartermaster.
The intercolonial trip of 1858 having proved such a complete success the
Battery projected another in 1859, and conceived the idea of making a trip to Boston
and Portland, and back by the Grand Trunk. The government intervened to some
extent, after the arrangements had been partially made. The previous year the
men had taken their side arms to New York. Upon this occasion the Canadian
government refused to allow the Battery to take the arms into the United States.
But where there is a will there is a way, and the officers determined to go, swords
or no swords. So Colonel, then Captain, Stevenson quietly made arrangements to
borrow the required number of swords from Captain Nim s Light Battery of Boston.
The Battery crossed to St. Lambert with its own swords and belts, and before
embarking on the train Captain Stevenson had the belts and swords packed up in
boxes and shipped to Longueuil awaiting their return. At Lowell, Mass., there were
two great boxes awaiting them, and in the boxes the belts and swords of Captain Nim s
Battery. They were at once served out to the men, and when they arrived at Boston
the Battery looked quite ship-shape. There was just one draw-back. On the brass
buckles of the belts were the letters " US " and people began asking what they
stood for. Captain Stevenson had instructed the men to reply to questions that the
letters meant simply what they spelt, " Us ", and the explanation appeared to be
quite satisfactory. Fortunately there were no spread eagles on the accoutrements,
or the exact state of affairs might have been given away. After leaving Boston,
where the Boston Fusiliers were the Battery s hosts, the corps went by boat to
Portland, where officers and men had a very pleasant time, spending one day on
one of the islands in the harbour. On the return trip to Montreal Captain Nim s
belts and swords were left in the United States, and on reaching Longueuil the
artillerymen got their own equipment again, and crossed in proper form to the city.
All this time the Battery had been carefully keeping up its drill, and was in a
very efficient state.
Somewhere in the Fifties the Battery organi/ecl a series of concerts to raise
funds to put Nelson s monument in a satisfactory state of repair. The Battery
raised a large sum and handed it over to the City on the express understanding
that the corporation would add what was necessary, and place and keep the
monument in good condition, as the following letter will show :
. . ... MONTREAL, APRIL /th, 1873.
To His Worship the Mayor, Aldermen and
GENTLEMEN : Citizens */ lke Cit > f Montreal.
On behalf of the Montreal Field Battery of Volunteer Artillery, I have the
honor to transmit herewith the sum of $702.90 (seven hundred and two dollars and
ninety cents), being proceeds (with accrued interest to date) of several concerts given
34
under the auspices of that corps in 1858 and 1859, with the view of raising a fund
to defray the expense of repairing Nelson s monument in Jacques Cartier Square.
As the corporation of Montreal have recently completed that work, the members
of the Battery have authorized the transfer, to your honorable body, of the amount
at the credit of the Battery in the Savings Bank Department of the Bank of
Montreal, to be applied by the corporation towards the payment of the expenditure
incurred in restoring the monument. I have therefore, in their name, the pleasure
of enclosing the sum of $702.90, with bank book, showing original deposits, and
accretions of interest, for which please grant city treasurer s receipt in duplicate,
and oblige Your obedient servant,
A. A. STEVENSON, Lieut-Colonel,
Commanding Montreal Field Battery.
THE 3RD MONTREAL FIELD BATTERY OF TO-DAY.
ARMAMENT : Six i2-POUNDER R.B.L. GUNS.
The City Council, at a special meeting held Monday, April yth, 1873, tendered
a vote of cordial thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson and the Montreal field
Battery for their handsome contribution.
A fact of historical interest in connection with these concerts is that at one of
them, Emma Lajeunesse, since famous throughout the world as the great Canadian
cantatrice, Albani, made her public debut. Mr. Lajeunesse, her father, Avas leader
of a band here, and a musician of considerable reputation in those days. The
Battery engaged him several times, and it was at his especial solicitation that his
daughter was engaged. Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson says he recollects that the
old gentleman told him that his daughter had a "delicious voice," -and that he felt
35
sure that if some rich man would send her to Europe she would startle the world.
To please the old gentleman, Colonel Stevenson engaged Mr. Lajeunesse and both
of his daughters to take part in the Battery s next concert. Emma played the piano
and sang, her sister played the harp, and the old gentleman played the clarionet.
Of course there were other numbers on the programme.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson says that, to tell the truth, they were considerably
disappointed at Emma s singing at that time, and he says he has heard much better
attempts by other singers making their public debut. There was not much applause,
and the batterymen rather mentally accused old Mr. Lajeunesse of allowing his
parental admiration for his daughter to get the better of his judgment.
The year 1860 was an eventful one for Canada, and especially for the militia.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales came to this country to inaugurate the
Victoria Bridge, and made a stay of a week in Montreal and a long trip through
Canada and the United States. The social functions and public hospitalities in
Montreal were on a most lavish scale. It was really a trying time for the Battery,
for the corps was on duty practically the whole time the Prince was in Montreal.
It fired a great number of salutes, including one when His Royal Highness arrived
and another when he left. Upon the latter occasion a terrific downpour of rain was
in progress.
Two guns of the Battery were sent to Sherbrooke to fire the salutes upon the
occasion of His Royal Highness visit to that city. Captain Stevenson received the
orders to leave only a few minutes before the time set for departure, and the Battery
had just been dismissed for the day. He at once ordered the trumpeter to sound
the assembly in the street, and he got the men together all right and went to
Sherbrooke by a special train, in good time to fire the salute. The Captain was told
in his order that horses would be supplied at Sherbrooke, and so they were, but
they baulked and shied, and kicked at the guns, so that he ordered them taken out, and
the gunners ran the guns up to the point where the salute was to be fired.
The year 1861 was a quiet one in the battery, and its members did not do much
besides perfecting themselves in their work as far as possible.
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two was another memorable year both
for Canada and the Field Battery. It was the year of the excitement over the Trent
affair, when war between the United States and Great Britain appeared perilously
near, as a result of the action of the United States warship "Sanjacinto" in forcibly
taking- the Confederate Commissioners, Mason and Sliddell, from the British mer
chant steamer "Trent" on the high seas, in November, 1861. Military organiza
tions wei-e raised in Canada from one end to the other, and a large force of regular
troops wafe sent over from England.
At this critical time the Battery was in a splendid condition, containing as fine
a set of men as could be found anywhere. The average height of the men was
5 feet 10. Some were 6 feet 4, others 6 feet 3, several 6 feet 2, while men of 6 feet
were plentiful. It was very gratifying to all ranks in the corps to know that the
36
reputation of the Battery had spread throughout the Imperial service, and many of
the regular officers who arrived this year went to Captain Stevenson and said that
they had heard so much in England about his batter} that they wanted to see it on
parade. Sergeant Major Bigwood of Penn s Battery of the Royal Artillery was the
battery s instructor at this time.
During the year the Battery gave a concert and exhibition of drill at the
Crystal Palace, organized in honor of Lord Monck, the newly appointed Governor
General, who said that officers of the army in England had spoken to him about the
Battery. His Excellency was accompanied by General Doyle, commanding the
forces in Nova Scotia; by General Sir Fenwick Williams, commanding the forces in
Canada; by the Honorable Thomas D Arcey McGee, and man}- other distinguished
men. There were over two thousand people present.
One of those who was present remarked that to see
that corps marching battery front down that hall,
stretching from one wall to the other, was a sight
worth going a long way to see. The line was
perfectly straight and not a button on a single
man s coat was out of place. It was as near
perfection as military work could possibly be.
This gentlemen said that he never saw such a
exhibition of drill himself, and the remark applies
equally to both the gun and the foot drill. Lord
Monck, in congratulating the Battery said it was
not only his own opinion but also that of distinguish
ed officers who had seen many efficient corps
(doubtless meaning the two generals who accom
panied him) that in all of his experience he had
never seen any corps, regular or volunteer, march
with such precision and perform its drill so accu
rately as the corps he had just had the pleasure
of seeing on parade. This, coming from the Governor General, was much appreciated.
During the summer of 1862 the Battery organized an excursion to Niagara
Falls. The previous winter it had had an exciting march out to Chambly and back.
Colonel Thorndyke who commanded the artillery in the Province of Lower Canada
was quartered at Chambly and he expressed himself as anxious that the Battery
should go out to visit him. As it was impossible to make satisfactory rates with
the ferries, it was decided to defer the trip until the winter, when the Battery could
cross on the ice. One day the roads were reported in perfect condition, and Major
Stevenson ordered the Battery to muster early the second morning after, and march
to Chambly. During the previous night, a blizzard, accompanied by bitterly cold
weather, set in, but no one suggested that the Battery had better not go, and it
started. Horses and men had an awful time getting out to Chambly, the trip of
37
LIEUT. -COLONKL WILLIAM MCGIBBON,
1855-1883.
sixteen miles taking from 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It was 25 degrees below zero, and the
road was so blocked with drifts that the Battery had to pass through the fields.
Then the Battery was handicapped by its equipment, the harness continually
breaking. The guns were marked 1807, and the harness was a good deal older
than that. The snow drifts were unusually high. One sub-division, having halted
to repair a broken strap, was hurrying to overtake the rest of the Battery, and ran
with such force into a drift that it was completely hidden from view. Major
Stevenson, from his horse, could see neither horses, men nor gun. But the going
out was nothing to the return. The Battery left Chambly at five in the afternoon,
and it was half past two the next morning when it passed Molson s Church on
Notre Dame Street. To get their guns and waggons through bad places the drivers
often had to hitch up seven horses tandem.
This was about the gih of March. On the
1 7th of the same month the Battery went to Lachine,
and, as the thaw had come, had trouble again, but
of a different kind.
In the year 1862 too, the Battery did some
thing which entitles the corps to the everlasting
gratitude of all the citizens of Montreal. It proved
that the ascent of Mount Royal was possible for
vehicles, and thus brought within the range of
practical municipal politics, the scheme for acquir
ing the Mountain Park. Hitherto the project had
met with only ridicule, the general belief being
that horses could never be got to the summit.
Before the Prince of Wales came to Canada
in 1860, Colonel Ermatinger, then field officer for
Lower Canada, and Captain Stevenson had several
conversations about doing something out of the
ordinary as a compliment to His Royal Highness.
Among other things it was suggested that Captain
Stevenson should take the Battery up to the summit of Mount Royal and fire a
salute as the Prince was returning from inaugurating the Victoria Bridge. Owing
to the rain interfering, two days ceremonies had to be thrown into one, and the
Battery had not time to try the ascent of the Mountain. In 1861 Captain Stevenson
was elected an alderman of the city of Montreal, and the following year made a
motion in the city council that the Mountain should be acquired as a public park.
The Mountain was divided at that time among some eighteen proprietors, and the
property was lying practically idle. Cattle were grazed on the lower slopes, and
fire wood was cut off the higher plateaus.
Nearly everybody laughed at Alderman Stevenson s suggestion, and thought it
an Utopian idea. He was not to be laughed out of it, however, but thought it over
33
CAPTAIN" HKNKV
and decided that he would show the doubting public, by his Battery, that it was
feasible to get up to the top. His original undertaking met with complete success.
Having obtained the permission of Colonel Ermatinger to turn out the Battery
and also having got a permit from Mr. John Redpath to pass through his grounds,
the Major ordered the Battery out on Monday, November loth, for special service.
No one, but the two gentlemen mentioned and the Major himself, knew what the
special service was, for various reasons. He did not want to be hampered by a crowd,
and he was not quite certain that the Battery could get up, and if it did not he thought
it would be quite sufficient if they had the laugh over their failure among themselves,
without having the whole city joining in at their expense.
The Prince of Wales birthday was to be celebrated that day as the actual
anniversary had fallen on Sunday, and Major
Stevenson s idea was to fire a royal salute from
the top of the mountain.
Sunday night a heavy snowstorm set in and
when the Batter}- paraded on Monday, there was
a foot of snow on the ground. So before starting
they had to take the guns from the wheels and
remount them on sleighs. The Battery went up
by way of Mr. Redpath s private avenue and
grounds, and gradually zig-zagged its way to the
plateau on the summit of the mountain behind
Ravenscrag. All ranks had hard work to get
there. Often the sleighs would get stuck on the
tops of stumps, and the men had to cut the stumps
down to get them off. The snow lay so heavy in
some of the ravines the Battery had to cross that
the drivers had to take the horses out, and Major
Stevenson sent the men ahead to tramp down a
road. Then they often had to cut a road for the
guns through the brush.
The Battery got into position, and swung the guns into action for the royal
salute exactly at noon. The bells in the city just started to ring twelve as the
first round was fired. The royal salute over, the Battery had lunch, and it was one
of the best lunches ever eaten on the Royal Mount s summit. At one o clock the
Battery fired another salute of 100 guns, winding up with three salvos. It was
amusing to see the crowds running about the city to find out what had happened.
The gunners could see that the firing had caused the greatest commotion, and people
crowded together to the spaces where a view of the mountain could be had. A very
large crowd gathered on the then unoccupied portion of the lot of land on St. James
Street, where the Post Office now stands. The general opinion in the city was that
the Fenians had made a lodgment on the mountain. There were many vague reports
39
From a Daguerreotype
1855-1858
in circulation about the Fenians at this time, and they were all the more alarming
that they were vague. The Fenians had already tried to get a footing on the
New Brunswick coast near Campobello, and there was much talk about their
having designs on Montreal.
The people were not altogether satisfied until the Battery returned to the city
in the afternoon. The effect on the Park scheme was satisfactory and immediate.
Instead of laughing at Major Stevenson s proposal, people insisted on it being carried
through, and eventually it was, though it took some time securing the necessary
legislation, expropriating the property, etc.
The following extract from an editorial in the " Montreal Transcript " of
November nth, 1862, refers to this incident:
" The twenty-first birthday of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
falling this year on Sunday, the celebration of the day took place yesterday. The
unfavorable weather prevented any other public celebration by the Troops in
Garrison than the firing of a royal salute from the Island of St. Helen s, which
took place at noon.
" The celebration of the day by the Montreal Field Battery, under Major
Stevenson, however, was possessed of novel features, which are likely to make the
day memorable, apart from the interest which every British subject attaches to it.
The indefatigable major is sure to have some novelty in store, when he attempts
anything with his efficient Battery. Yesterday the new feature was the firing of
the salute in honor of the attainment of majority by our beloved Prince, from the
summit of Mount Royal, eight hundred feet above the St. Lawrence.
" The feat was accomplished not without difficulty. The Battery was ordered to
muster for special duty at nine o clock in the morning, and the men were promptly
present at the Crystal Palace. The guns were dismounted from the carriages, and
mounted again on sleighs, and, at eleven o clock, they took up the line of march
with four guns drawn by six horses each. They proceeded through Mr. Redpath s
avenues, and thence by a winding path, extremely rugged, and much obstructed
by trees and stumps, which were removed by the artillerymen, and after having
several guns upset and righted again, to the plateau overlooking the city.
" At twelve o clock precisely a royal salute was fired, after which the men and
officers partook of a lunch composed of cold roast beef, ham, etc., with bread and
hot coffee. It is needless to say that justice was done to the viands, for the labor
of the morning and the march were keen appetizers. At one o clock a salute of
one hundred guns was fired in from 15 to 20 minutes, when the men again rested
a short time, concluding the business of the day with three salvos from the four guns.
" The horses were then attached to the pieces, and the descent of the mountain
made at the same point, after which they proceeded through St. Catherine Street
and St. Denis Street to Notre Dame, and about three o clock arrived at the Crystal
Palace.
" The scene presented on the plateau of the mountain, as viewed from the city,
40
was picturesque in the extreme. The dark uniform of the men, with the white
background of snow, and the belching smoke from the guns, were too prominent
not to attract hundreds to the street corners affording a view of the scene. The
reports were borne towards the city by the wind, with deafening distinctness, and
when the salvos were fired, the reverberation was repeated several times.
The Montreal Field Battery have linked their names to the future, if no
opportunity is afforded them of proving their efficiency in the field, at least in
having fired the first gun from the summit of the mountain."
The next year there was a grand review on the tenth of March, in honour of
the Prince of Wales marriage, and in the sham fight which followed, the Battery
and Foot Company of Artillery again went up to the summit of the mountain as the
defending force, and all the other Montreal corps attacked. Some of the infantry
succeeded in getting up, but they had a very trying time of it. The first man to
get to the top was Captain Whitehead, brother of the present Lieutenant-Colonel
Whitehead, and he almost fainted as soon as he reached the top.
In 1864 and 1865 the Battery did nothing out of the ordinary, but of course
kept up its drills. The corps always did that, as there were constant rumours about
the Fenians in the air.
In another chapter will be found some official reports of the efficiency of the
Montreal Field Battery during the period treated of in this chapter, but a few words
dropped the other day by a veteran militia officer who occupied a very prominent
position in the old militia will give an idea of the esteem in which the Battery was
held at the critical time of the Trent affair.
Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Lyman the other day was speaking of the
appreciation of the Canadian militia shown by the Imperial officers in the good old
Garrison days and remarked: "I recollect that when Colonel Shakespeare, one of
the ablest officers of the Royal Artillery, came here at the time of the Trent affair,
to take command of the artillery in this country, he inspected Stevenson s Battery
at the Crystal Palace in company with General Lindsay and General Sir Fenwick
Williams. I was with them, being at that time Assistant Adjutant General for
the Montreal force. Colonel Shakespeare had just come from Shoeburyness, where
he was in command of the great artillery camp. He said, after the inspection :
" I left at Shoeburyness eight of the best batteries of the Royal Artillery, in fact I
doubt whether there are any better in any service, and I come here to Montreal and
I find a militia battery as efficient in every way as any of those I left behind. I
could not have expected it, though I had heard good reports on this battery from
many officers."
CHAPTER IV.
ON SERVICE DURING THE FENIAN RAIDS.
HE year 1866 will ever be memorable in the annals of the Canadian
Militia. It was the first test of the militia as it practically exists
to-day. For some years the Fenian Brotherhood, an organization
ostensibly established to wrest Ireland from the British Crown by
force of arms, had been very active in America, the immediate
object of the movement in the States being avowedly to capture
Canada and make it the base of operations against the mother country. Many
poor people were led by patriotic devotion to contribute funds, but there is
not the slightest doubt whatever that many of those who joined the movement were
actuated by more sordid motives. The peaceful homes and prosperous business
centres of the loyal British colony would, they fondly hoped, provide rich spoil for
the invading armies of the "Irish Republic". The termination of the American
civil war gave a tremendous impetus to the movement, for it threw many men of
various races, trained to the use of arms, on the country, without any means of
earning a livelihood. The movement against Canada appeared to be reaching a
climax during the winter of 1866, and it was announced with much swaggering
and bravado that the invasion of Canada would take place on St. Patrick s day.
The Canadian volunteer militia corps quietly drilled away to prepare for the
threatened trouble, but nothing occurred until the 3ist of May when a force of
about nine hundred men under " General " O Neil crossed from Black Rock and
landed a little below Fort Erie on the Niagara frontier. June and this force was
met at Ridgeway by a force of militia consisting of the Queen s Own Rifles of
Toronto and the i3th of Hamilton, and an action took place which resulted in
the killing of a number of the volunteers, and their retirement, the Fenians
making no attempt, however, to follow. The same night O Neil s force recrossed
the river into American territory.
It was ostentatiously given out that one of the first things the Fenians
intended to do was to capture Montreal. Camps of Fenians were established in all
the American cities near the frontier, and drilling went regularly along, but the
would-be invaders thought better of it, and contented themselves with demonstrating.
42
Everybody, both in the United States and Canada, knew perfectly well, in
1865, that there was an organized movement among the Fenians in the United
States to capture Canada. The American papers openly published advertisements
summoning the " Camps " to drill, and the United States government let them drill.
If the United States had been so disposed they could have stopped the whole
trouble in short order. But they were not so disposed, and the Militia prepared to
do its duty. There was only a small force of regulars in the country at the time.
As far as the Montreal Field Battery was concerned, officers and men kept up
their organization and drill to the highest possible notch, and were ready for
anything that might turn up so far as they had arrangements in their own hands.
The field equipment and ammunition were kept in the magazines on St. Helen s
Island, but though Major Stevenson could not get
those things ready, he did the next best thing, and
prepared his requisition so that he could hand it in
the moment his Battery was ordered out. News of
O Neil s invasion and the Battle of Ridgeway created
intense excitement in Montreal, and word came
simultaneously that the Fenians were about to make
their attempt on Montreal.
The Battery was called out on June the first,
and the same evening several battalions of the
Montreal infantry militia corps left for the front.
The Battery s first orders to turn out were received
by Major Stevenson at eleven o clock on the first.
Lieutenant-Colonel Osborne Smith was then
Deputy Adjutant General, commanding the district,
and Major Stevenson at once went to the Brigade
office to requisition the ammunition, camp equipage,
etc. Everybody was very much excited, and it was
hard to get business attended to. Major Stevenson s
orders were to take half of the Batter} , two guns, to Hemmingford, and to leave
at four o clock that afternoon. The other half of the Battery was to remain in
the city. The Major detailed Capt. Wm. McGibbon to accompany him with the
half battery to Hemmingford, placing Lieutenant Boyd in command of the other
half battery ordered to remain in Montreal. Major Stevenson told Colonel Smith
that it was very short notice, and he doubted if they could get the ammunition
and equipage from the Island in time. The Deputy Adjutant General somewhat
brusquely replied that he could get it, if the major could not, if the latter had
the requisition. Major Stevenson told him that he had the requisition all pre
pared and handed it to him. He handed it to Colonel Lyman, who was then on
the staff, and that officer proceeded to get the necessary signatures to the document.
This was no easy task, for people were occupied with personal affairs,
43
LIEUTEN ANT T. W. BOYD
It was six o clock before the last signature was affixed, and then Major
Stevenson at once sent over to the Island. But the magazine was closed for the
night, and the officers refused to open it for anybody. The next day was Sunday,
and Procession Sunday at that, but Major Stevenson sent over to the Island again
early in the morning, and they got everything over to the city in the evening, or
rather thought they did. But on opening out the ammunition they found that
there were many important deficiencies. There was not a single primer, for
instance, for the shells, without which the shells would be useless. And other
equally indispensible articles were missing, so that they had to send back again to
the Island, and found that the magazine and stores were again closed. So the
Battery had to stay in the Crystal Palace again all night, and send over to the
Island once more early Monday morning.
It should be stated that as far as the men, horses and guns were concerned,
the Battery paraded, ready for service, within a couple of hours of the receipt of the
order calling them ovit.
Finally they got everything all right, and started at eleven o clock on Monday
for Hemmingford via Lachine and Caughnawaga. At Lachine considerable delay
was caused, for the ferry boat could only carry half of the half battery at once.
Then they were delayed for a long time at Caughnawaga waiting for the train to
take them to Hemmingford, and it was half past ten at night before the Battery
got to Hemmingford.
Colonel Smith had established his headquarters at that place, and had under
his command Number One Troop of Cavalry, Captain Smith ; the ist Prince of
Wales Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Devlin ; and the 3rd Victoria Rifles, Lieu
tenant-Colonel Heward.
On arrival at the Hemmingford station, a messenger stopped up to Major
Stevenson and gave him an order to proceed to Colonel Smith s headquarters
immediately, but not to disembark the horses and guns. So the Major trudged
along through the mud, stumbling over all sorts of things in the darkness, up to
McPhee s Hotel, where the Brigadier and his staff were comfortably established.
The transport facilities had been very bad and the commissariat arrangements
were quite as defective. No provision had been made by the authorities for feeding
the horses and men en route, and when they arrived at Hemmingford they found
that nothing had been provided there. As is the case to-day, there was absolutely
no provision for the mobilization of the militia, and no transport service or com
missariat to maintain a force in the field.
Means were taken to extemporize transport and commissariat services, but the
experience of armies everywhere, and in every age, has shown conclusively that
such makeshift services, organized in the excitement and bustle of the initial
stages of a campaign, are both wasteful and inefficient.
In the case of the Montreal Field Battery, when it arrived at Hemmingford,
no forage could be procured for the horses, and no rations for the men from the
44
authorities, though there was an abundance of food and forage in the immediate
vicinity. This appears to have been annoying to all concerned, no less to the
officer in command at that point than to the officers and men of the Battery them
selves.
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith was anxious that the Battery should continue some
distance on the way to Huntingdon, but it was decided that the corps would have
to be detrained to enable the horses and men to be fed. The detraining was a
very difficult operation, as there was no platform for getting the guns off the cars,
but the men finally managed it.
The officers of the Battery then devoted their whole attention to trying
to get something for the horses and men to eat.
" LlMBKRIN O TIP. "
The horses had had a little hay in the middle of the day, but the men had not
had a bite in their mouths since five o clock that morning, except a few loaves of
bread they had managed to get at Caughnawaga.
The officers of the staff said that it was absolutely impossible to get anything
for the men until the following morning, and as for the horses, there was not a
bushel of oats to be had within a radius of ten miles.
At the latter statement one of the officers of the Battery expressed astonish
ment, as they were in one of the finest agricultural districts of the Province.
No satisfaction could be obtained, however, from the staff officers, and some
other source of food supply had to be found. Feeding the men and horses of a
hungry battery of artillery is not a small matter, but it finally was accomplished.
45
Fortunately McPhee, the keeper of the hotel, was a Scotchman, and the
natural sympathy of one Scot for another came to the Major s assistance, for
besides being a Scotchman himself, McPhee had met one or two other Scotchmen
in the Battery, and commented on the fact as soon as the Major spoke to him.
McPhee said to the latter that he could let him have as many sacks of oats as he
wanted, and he gladly agreed to supply all the oats required to the quartermaster
sergeant, at a very low price, on the Major s promise to see that he was paid, which
promise, of course, was given.
But Major Stevenson had more difficulty in procuring a meal for his tired and
hungry men. He, however, chanced to look into the dining room of the hotel and
saw that they were setting a table, and found it was in preparation for some
teamsters who were coming to Hemniingford to transport the Victoria Rifles to
Huntingdon the following day.
In the meantime Major Stevenson s anxiety was to provide a meal for his
men. McPhee said that the meal being prepared for the teamsters had been
ordered by Colonel Smith, and he dare not disobey orders. The Major, however,
remarking that that might be a very good rule for the military, explained that he
would take the responsibility of ordering his men to eat that meal. They had not
had anything since early morning, while the teamsters had already had their
three meals.
McPhee still resisted, but the Major ordered the Battery trumpeter to sound
the assembly, and marched his men into the dining room and ordered them to
remain there until they had had all they wanted. He then investigated the
kitchen and found that the cooks were preparing all the bread and butter the men
would require, as well as tea or coffee. Rummaging among the cupboards he
found a plentiful supply of eggs, and got the women in the kitchen to boil them for
the men. The result was that the men got a good meal, which of course the Major
was only too glad to pay for.
He could get no more satisfaction about quarters for his men than he got
about their food, so he arranged with McPhee to let them sleep in the hay in his
barn, and they enjoyed a first rate rest, which was more than the infantry did.
Those poor fellows were simply dumped down on a swamp, and had to do the
best they could without camp equipage or anything else.
It was cruel, and it was not surprising that the next day many of them could
scarcely speak for the severe colds they had contracted. Many of them at that
time contracted colds and rheumatism from which they never recovered.
The Victorias were under orders to go to Huntingdon the morning after the
Battery s arrival. The Prince of Wales Regiment, not having had ammunition
served out to them, were ordered to remain until the arrival of their ammunition,
which was coming from Montreal by a train which was to arrive during the day.
The Battery was ordered to remain also, and go on with the Prince of Wales
Regiment. The regular morning train did not bring the ammunition as expected,
46
and the two corps had to remain at Hemmingford all day, much to their disgust.
During the day all sorts of exciting rumours got about, and half a dozen stories
were started about the Fenians having crossed the lines, attacking the other
column, etc. Of course there was nothing in any of them. Early next morning
the column moved off on the way to Huntingdon, being entertained to breakfast
and dinner by the good people of Havelock and Franlyn. The Battery parted
company with the Prince of Wales Regiment at the Ormstowu road, the infantry
proceeding to Ormstown.
The Battery arrived at Huntingdon at half past eight at night, its guide,
Captain Rogers, later Lieutenant-Colonel Rogers commanding the 5ist Battalion,
having deemed it advisable to make a considerable detour near Athelston owing to
some report of a Fenian force being thereabouts.
" Ix LINE AT CLOSE INTERVAL. "
When the Battery arrived at Huntingdon it found that there had been allotted
to the corps as quarters an old, unused, wheelwright s shop, utterly unsuited for the
purpose. The boards of the floor were both rotten and loose, and it would have
broken the horses legs to take them into it. The officers in command told Major
Stevenson when he protested that it was the only place to be had, but he was deter
mined that he would not put the Battery up there. The place given as sleeping
accomodation for the men was not large enough to accomodate ten persons and the
members of the Battery would have been almost as well off out of doors.
Mr. Boyd, a local lawyer at this point came to the Battery s assistance, and he
told Major Stevenson that if the Battery would go up to the square he would see
47
that men and horses were comfortably billeted for the night. Arriving at the
square, Mr. Boyd, who now lives at New York, mounted one of the gun carriages
and made a speech to the people. He urged his fellow townsmen to do their duty
by the Battery. The artillerymen had come to do their duty in protecting them,
and they should do their part and see that the men and their horses had the
necessary accomodation.
The speech had its effect, and Major Stevenson got billets for the horses and
men, he himself that night going to the hotel. There were several other corps at
Huntingdon and the accommodation was pretty well taken up. The great
difficulty, so far as the Battery was concerned, was that its horses were scattered
through the village and neighborhood, the two animals furthest away from one
another being three miles apart. Major Stevenson wanted to encamp, and as he
had taken the precaution to take his camp equipage along, he could have done it
comfortably. But Colonel Smith would not hear of it. Finally a crisis was
reached owing to the contractor for forage refusing to supply the horses owing to
their being so scattered, which made the delivery of the rations a very difficult matter.
At the Presbyterian Church were long sheds to shelter the horses of those
of the congregation who had to drive to service, and Major Stevenson arranged
that the Battery could have these sheds for its horses. Then he obtained permis
sion to camp on the church grounds, and the Battery was made very comfortable.
Mrs. Watson, the good wife of the minister, allowed the Battery to use her
kitchen for the cooking, and even spared her servant to help in the work. The
government rations were being brought from Montreal, and when they arrived were
simply unfit for human food. Somebody must have benefitted, but it was surely
not the men who had to subsist on the stuff.
All the provisions required could have been purchased better and cheaper in
the country, and they were being brought from Montreal, not by train but by
teams, by far the most dangerous and expensive means of transport. Of course
the whole arrangement was made to favour some city contractors. The idea of
bringing provisions by team all the way from Montreal in such weather as that
prevailing then was simply outrageous. The meat was often tainted when it
arrived at the front, and the bread reported to have been unfit for food.
A General Middleton appears to have been badly needed at the front during
the Fenian Raids.
Major Stevenson appears to have taken took good care that the stuff should
not be foisted on his men. He had been made to provide his own rations in the
first place and he determined to continue to do it, as he found that everything
needed could be supplied cheaper, and in first class condition, by the local baker,
butcher and grocers. He was ordered to receive the government rations, but
declined, and was allowed to have his way. As a result his men and horses were
well fed, and when the Battery returned to Montreal, there was not a man or
horse that was not considerably heavier than when the corps marched out.
48
The corps on service were allowed, by the government, fifty cents per man a
day for rations, and though the men of the Battery were so well fed, after paying
for everything, and giving liberal allowances to all who assisted in any way, they
received, after the service was over, twenty-five cents a day in cash, the savings
from their ration money, in addition to their pay of fifty cents a day.
The batterymen were the envy of the rest of the force at Huntingdon on
account of their good food.
The Battery had so few men that a small infantry guard was told off each da}
to do the guard duties at the artillery camp, and Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson,
the other day, recalled the fact that, on one occasion, the corporal of the guard,
which was furnished by the Victoria Rifles, was Mr. Arthur Ross, now the well
known stock broker. He had had such a sickening experience with the govern-
" ADVANCING IN BATTERY COLUMN."
ment rations, and found the Battery food so satisfactory that he requested that he
be told off permanently with his squad to do the Battery guard duties, but in this
he was disappointed.
The Battery had more or less excitement during the time it was at Hunt
ingdon as a result of the circulation of startling rumours, but nothing really trans
pired. The men could not drill much on account of the weather. It poured in
torrents most of the time, and, in the intervals, it was simply unbearably hot. The
men s faces and necks were badly blistered.
The Battery came back to Montreal on the i8th, and glad enough officers and
men were. The Battery came back by steamboat from Port Louis on Lake St.
Francis. To Port Louis there was a direct road from Huntingdon, some six or
49
eight miles in length. It was a plank road, and in rather bad repair, but
susceptible of being mended. Major Stevenson was ordered, however, to proceed to
Port Louis with the Battery by what was called the " New Found Out Road ",
which would necessitate a detour of nearly double the distance. He was ordered to
march half an hour ahead of the infantry, but he knew that, even with that start,
his Battery could not make the extra distance in time. So he determined, orders
or no orders, that he would go by the direct road.
First he sent on some men with a load of scantling and planks- to repair the
worst breaks in the wooden roadway, and, sharp on time, the Battery started.
Before coming to the point where the " New Found Out Road " branched off from
the direct road, Major Stevenson had tried to get the guide who had been told off
to show the Battery the way, to consent to the change in route he contemplated.
The guide refused, however, saying that if anything happened he would get into
trouble. The Major, however, said that he would take the responsibility, and
when, on reaching the junction of the roads, the Battery kept right along, the guide
urged no objection.
The Battery arrived at the wharf without mishap. The mail steamer, on
which it was to embark, had just arrived, and the Battery embarked at once.
The men were enjoying an impromptu concert in the saloon when the staff and
the Victoria Rifles arrived. The astonished looks on the faces of Colonel Smith
and his officers when the} saw the Batter} 7 all comfortably established on the
steamer, was a study in itself.
The names on the pay-roll for the eighteen days that the Battery was in active
service at this time are as follows :
Major, A. A. Stevenson; Captain, Win. McGibbon ; Second Lieutenant, T. W.
Boyd ; Surgeon, Geo. E. Fenwick ; Sergeant-Major, C. White ; Quartermaster
Sergeant, John Cooper; Sergeants, John Wilson, John T. Rickaby, Wm. Bauden ;
Farrier Sergeant, S. Culley ; Corporals, J. W. Wooding, Jas. K. Pollock, Hugh
Mclntosh, Thomas Lilley ; Bombardiers, J. H. McNider, W. H. Kerfut, James Yuill,
M. T. Lang ; Trumpeter, A. Mclnnes ; Gunners, Robt. Nicholson, Angus Mitchell,
W. Wilkinson, Thomas Robinson, Chas. McGuaran, Richard McKeown, W. Cun
ningham, Jas. Griffin, Alex. Campbell, Richard Tearmouth, John Morrison, James
Smith, John Jackson, William Bennett, Robert Inglis, Henry Corrigan, Hugh
Mackay, Wm. Grant, John Henderson, E. Cunningham, Moses Eadon, W T alter
McGrath, James Henderson, Ed. Morgan, Ed. Thompson, John Minnish, John
Marsh, John P. Peavey, Benj. Robinson, Wm. Hardy, P. B. Ferguson, William
Burrell, William Willis, Thos. Wilkinson, Samuel Russell, C. Nimms, J. H.
Hutchison, Wm. Nish, Wm. Ross ; Drivers, I. S Pierot/, T. Potter, John Outhet,
S. Cunningham, C. Cunningham, D. Cunningham, George Bruce, Fred. Bennett,
Jas. Cunningham, J. Wigmore, Jno ; Clayton, P. McKillop, Daniel Wilson, Richard
Conway, Joseph Booth, Donald Munro, John Fraser, C. Fisher, James Saunders,
J. Matthews.
50
During this service the Battery wore the ordinary artillery uniform, which it
had adopted in 1862 or 1863, and which, with few changes, it still wears.
Between 1866 and 1870 nothing out of the ordinary occurred in the histor}^ of
the Battery, apart from its participation in the celebration of the first Dominion
Day, July ist, 1867. There was a big review on Logan s Park, in which the Battery
participated, and it also fired three separate salutes that day at the readings
of the Confederation Proclamation, by the Mayor, the Hon. Henry Starnes,
at Logan s Farm, at Dalhousie Square and at Victoria Square.
During all these years the Battery was ordered out frequently to fire salutes,
and also often turned out with the regulars for field days and reviews on Logan s
Farm. The Batter y was almost regarded by the regulars as one of their own
corps, and the result was most beneficial to the Battery. At this time, and for
"WHEELING INTO LINE."
many years previously, the Battery had taken a leading part in almost every
public movement in the city.
The pay list on the preceding page is interesting in more respects than one.
It is a significant fact that at this time there was a large proportion of the original
members still in the Battery, as the following copy of the pay-list of the Battery
signed April, 1856, will show:
Major, Wm. F. Coffin ; First Lieutenants, Henry Hogan, Henry Bulmer ;
Second Lieutenant, A. A. Stevenson ; Staff Sergeant, Wm. Masterman ; Sergeants,
Charles Garth, Alex. Ramsay ; Corporals, Joseph Bauden, Alex. Wand, Wm. Robb ;
Bombardiers ; John Buchanan, Wm. Almour, William McGibbon ; Gunners, R. W.
Isaacson, W. H. Boyd, Wm. Hobbs, T. W. Boyd, Joseph Tees, David Brodie, Neil
5 1
Douglas, Robt. Hendey, Edward Charters, John Wilson, John Mclntosh, George
Monaghan, William Bauden, Alfred Davis, J. Bays, Edward Burke, Sinclair Stuart,
Joseph Baker, William Inglis, Patrick Hughes, J. Kinleyside, John Cooper.
T. Tucker, John Wilkinson, W. Stevens, J. Simpson, Alex. Turbyne, James
Mavor, J. A. Cockburn, George Morrison, J. Cockburn, George Nightingale,
Wm. Nightingale, James Pollock, C. James, G. Montgomery, Wm. Ruther
ford, Robert Gardner, Henry Macfarlane, John Taylor, John Bauden, Robert
Mitchell, John Scott, Robert Benn, John Anderson, Robert Nicholson, Wm. H.
Kerfut, Wm. Awler, James Dingwall, John McDougal, David Fender, Hugh
Mclntosh, Angus Mitchell, Wm. Martin, Wm. Wilkinson, Matthew Creelman,
Isaac Black ; Sergeant Logan, R. A., acting Sergeant Major.
(Signed) Wm. F. Coffin, Major,
Commanding Field Battery.
During the winter of 1869-70 the rumours of intended Fenian invasion were
revived and the Militia held itself in readiness. May 24th a review of the whole of
the Montreal Brigade was ordered in honour of Her Majesty s Birthday. But early
that morning orders were received from headquarters to put the force on active
service and prepare to repel a Fenian invasion along the New York and Vermont
frontiers.
The Battery s orders were to hold itself in readiness to move at a moment s
notice. It was ready at the time the order was received, but remained in Montreal
under arms for a day or two, until ordered to the Huntingdon frontier.
The actual order calling out the Battery for active service upon this occasion
is preserved among the archives of the Battery. It was written upon a half sheet
of plain foolscap and reads as follows :
MILITARY DISTRICT No. 5 1.05 P.M.
ist Brigade Division. Montreal, 25th May, 1870.
Brigade Order.
In accordance with orders received from the Lieutenant General Commanding,
the Montreal Field Battery is hereby ordered on Actual Service without delay, a
y 2 Battery to be held in readiness to proceed by Grand Trunk Railway to River
Beaudette Station for transport to Huntingdon.
"By order" THOMAS BACON, Lieutenant-Colonel.
The 5oth Huntingdon Borderers and the 5ist Hemmingford Rangers had
been ordered out the same day that the Battery was, and they were already on
duty at Huntingdon, the Montreal Engineers having also preceded the Battery.
Her Majesty s 6gth Regiment, under Colonel Bagot, had also been ordered up.
The Battery left Montreal at seven o clock for Coteau, where it arrived late, having
encountered a number of annoying delays. From Coteau it crossed Lake St.
Francis by steamer to Port Louis. Lieutenant FitxGeorge, now a general in the
52
army, accompanied the Battery from Montreal, and, on arriving at Port Louis, rode
on to inform Colonel Bagot that the Battery was on the way. It was just breaking
day when the Battery landed, and it started over the same plank road over which
it had returned from Huntingdon in 1866.
When it arrived at Huntington it was found that the greater part of the force
which had been stationed there had gone forward to the Trout River Lines,
leaving two companies of the 6gth and the 64th Beauharnois Battalion at Hun
tingdon. The Fenians had crossed the Lines at Trout River the afternoon of the
previous day and were in camp near there.
The Battery received orders
to remain at Huntingdon, and
Major Stevenson assumed com
mand of the force left there,
being the senior officer.
That same morning the
skirmish at Trout River took
place, the 5oth Huntingdon
Borderers, under Lieutenant-
Colonel McEachran, being given
the post of honor. The Fenians
offered scarcely any resistance,
and the affair was over in a few
minutes, though there was every
probability that the Fenians
would make another attempt in
force about the same point.
In the afternoon Major
Stevenson received orders to
proceed with the Battery to
Trout River. The corps re
mained there several days.
While at this place the Bat
tery received much attention
from the farmers, one of them
having quite won the hearts of
officers and men by his kindness and courtesy. This was Mr. Arthur, and a few
months after the return of the Battery from service, the Battery sent a deputation
back to Trout River to present Mr. Arthur with a handsomely framed portrait of
His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, as a token of the Battery s appreciation of the
patriotic farmer s kindness.
Prince Arthur kindly signed the portrait of himself at the request of the
officers of the Battery, and it is still a valued heirloom in the Arthur family.
53
PORTRAIT OF PRINCK ARTHUR
I 1 KKSKNTKI> TO MR. WILLIAM ARTHUR, OF HUNTINGDON, BY THE BATTERY, IS7O
The following correspondence on this subject explains itself:
Montreal, 6th June, 1870.
Colonel Elphinstone, C.B., V.C.,
Montreal.
Dear Sir:
During the march of the Montreal Field Battery of Artillery from Hunting
don to Henderson ville (Trout River) on Friday, the 27th ultimo, we halted for a
few minutes to rest the horses opposite the farm of Mr. Wm. Arthur, who imme
diately brought and sent from his house a most bountiful supply of milk, water,
bread, cakes, etc. After all had partaken of his good cheer he insisted upon filling
every haversack, at the same time declining to accept of any compensation what
ever. The members of the Battery feel that some slight acknowledgement of that
gentleman s generosity should be made, and the similarity of name has suggested
the idea of presenting loyal William Arthur with a photographic portrait of Royal
Arthur William. The value of the gift would be infinitely enhanced if the
autograph of His Royal Highness could be appended thereto. I have therefore
ventured to enquire whether, under the circumstances, His Royal Highness would
be graciously pleased to append his autograph to the photograph sent herewith.
Such an act of condescension would be accepted by the Battery as a Royal favor
conferred upon the corps, whilst it would undoubtedly awaken livelier feelings of
loyalty and patriotism in the breast of that hospitable frontier farmer, in whose
household it would be cherished with a sort of sacred veneration.
I have the honour to remain
Yours most faithfully,
A. A. STEVENSON,
Lt.-Col. Com. M. F. B. of A.
Montreal, 6th June, 1870.
Dear Sir :
His Royal Highness says that he has very great pleasure indeed in acceding
to the request of yourself and the officers of your Field Battery by signing the
accompanying photograph.
A man who behaved so loyally and liberally deserves every possible recog
nition, and His Royal Highness desires that you will mention to Mr. William
Arthur that the Prince will not fail to mention his liberality when in England.
I am likewise desired to send herewith, for your own acceptance, a photograph
of His Royal Highness.
Believe me, yours faithfully,
H. C. ELPHINSTONE.
Lt.-Col. A. A.. STEVENSON,
Com. Montreal Field Battery, Montreal.
54
While the Battery was at Trout River Lieutenant-Colonel John Fletcher,
being Deputy Adjutant General of the District, commanded the militia force there
assembled. On the last day the Battery was out there General Lindsay arrived,
accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, then an officer in the Battalion
of the Rifle Brigade commanded by Lord Alexander Russell, and held a review of
the whole force. The Battery returned to Montreal the next day via the same
route as it had taken at the end of the Raid of 1866.
The pay-list for this service, May 25th to June ist 1860, shows the following
names :
Lieutenant-Colonel, A. A. Stevenson ; Major, W. McGibbon ; First Lieutenant,
T. W. Boyd ; Surgeon, G. E. Fen wick ; Sergeant-Major, E. Hnmm ; Acting
Sergeant-Major to half Battery, James Suttie ; Quartermaster Sergeant, John
Cooper ; Hospital Sergeant, J. H. Mathieson ; Sergeants, John Wilson, Wm.
Bauden, James Pollock; Corporals, Hugh Mclntosh, Thos. Lilley, Wm. H. Kerfut,
James Yuill ; Bombardiers, W. Grant, J. P. Peavey, Jas. Griffin; Trumpeter,
A. Mclnnes ; Gunners, Angus Mitchell, Thos. Robinson, C. McGowan, R.
McKeown, Henry Corrigan, James Smith, John Jackson, Wm. Bennett, Robt.
Inglis, Wm. Cunningham, H. McKay, John Henderson, W. McGrath, E. Morgan,
John Marsh, Benjamin Robinson, P. B. Ferguson, Wm. Burrell, Win. Willis,
Saml. Russell, Chas. Nimino, W. Nash, W. Houston, W. Higgins, John Wood,
Win. Brackwell, John Oliver, Jas. Thorn, Richd. Hemsley, Alex. Downs, John
Stephenson, Edw. .Thompson, Mortimer Hynes, James Russell, Thomas Shone,
Wm. Muir; Drivers, J. S. Pieroty, Saml. Cunningham, Fredk. Bennett, Jas.
Cunningham, John Clayton, Danl. Wilson, R. Comvay, D. Munro, Wm. Wright,
John Bloorafield, Thos. Massey, W. Calvert, Joseph Turner, John Jolliff, Thos.
Eraser, John H. Lynn, Peter Reid, Geo. H. Burt, Jas. Shannon, Alex. Mason,
Hugh Dunachie, Geo. Johnston.
Major Stevenson was present when General Lindsay, who was about leaving
Canada, decorated Lieutenant-Colonels Fletcher, Chamberlain and McEachran with
the order of C. M. G. and the old general feelingly remarked to the major : "I want
you to keep up that splendid battery of yours. It is a fine corps, and will be
wanted some day, and when it is wanted I am sure you will all do your duty."
55
\ f
CHAPTER V.
SERVICE IN AID OF THE CIVIL POWER..
OT the least important of the valuable services rendered by the
loyal militia of Canada have been those performed when
various corps have been called out on actual service in aid of
the civil authority. The Active Militia Force is at once a
national police force as well as a force for national defence.
The militia has been frequently called upon to perform its
by no means pleasant police duties, and upon no corps have the
calls for aid to the civil power been as frequent as those which com
pose the Montreal Division.
The Montreal Field Battery was called out in aid of the civil
power very soon after its organization, election riots being frequent
in the fifties and sixties as a result of the open ballot and the good
old fashioned ways of condiicting elections. Brick-bats were the common missiles,
and cracked skulls were quite the fashion at election times, but a military display
usually restored peace easily. In 1858 and 1859 the Montreal militia corps were
frequently on service in the streets.
In 1860 a riot occurred during a mayoralty contest, the voting then extending
over several days. The orders to turn out were received by the members of the
Battery early in the morning, the parade being ordered for 9.30. So promptly did
the men respond that at that hour to the minute the Battery was on parade, with
guns horsed and ready for action. The Battery was under arms for four days on
this occasion, being stationed on Victoria Square and on the present City Hall
Square, and got through this service without any trouble, but both they and the
Cavalry were once or twice treated to a little mild excitement, being vigorously
pelted with snowballs by the mob.
In November, 1875, the Battery was on service on the occasion of the burial of
Joseph Guibord, whose body at the time of his death, some eight years previously,
had been refused burial in consecrated ground in the Roman Catholic Cemetery
because he belonged to the Institut Canadien, which institution had been placed
under the ban because its library contained books regarded as heretical by the
Roman Catholic Church.
56
Guibord was himself a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church and a
regular attendant at its services. His wife, who had predeceased him had been
buried in his family lot in the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery, and, before his
death, he had asked that his body be laid beside that of his wife.
The Cemetery then, as now, was under the control of the Fabrique of Notre-
Dame, and the latter body, through its representative, the Reverend Cure Rous-
selot, refused permission for the interment to take place. The power of the law
was invoked by the officers of the Institut Canadien to compel the ecclesiastical
authorities to permit of the interment as desired, and in the meantime, the casket
containing Guibord s body was deposited in the receiving vault of the Mount
Royal Protestant Cemetery.
A series of long and complicated lawsuits followed, the Church authorities
basing their right to refuse interment in consecrated ground on the terms of the
Capitulation of Canada, which guaranteed to the Roman Catholic Church the full
exercise of its accustomed usages. The learned counsel for the Institut pleaded
that, in spite of any special arrangement with the Roman Catholic Church, that the
ecclesiastical authorities could not interfere with the proprietary or any other
vested rights of a British subject, and this argument carried the da}-.
After Mr. Joseph Doutre, Q.C., the leading counsel for the Institut, had fought
out the case through the Canadian Courts, it was taken to the very foot of the
Throne, the Imperial Privy Council, who, on appeal, finally ordered the Fabrique
to permit the interment to take place as desired by the friends of the deceased.
While the case was being argued before the courts much ill-feeling was
aroused in Montreal and vicinity. Mr. Doutre and the Institut Canadien had the
sympathy of the Protestant portion of the community, while the great bulk of the
Roman Catholic population, quite naturally, sympathised with the stand taken by
their clergy. The case was much discussed in the public press, in the pulpit, and
on the streets, and, by the time the final judgment of the highest tribunal in the
realm was obtained, the situation wore an ugly look.
When the judgment was given, some of the more violent of the church part}
publicly advised the ecclesiastical authorities to refuse to obey the order of the
court, but when the order arrived in the country and a date was fixed for the
interment of all that remained of the body of poor Guibord, the authorities of the
Fabrique allowed the grave to be opened in the Guibord lot.
On the afternoon fixed for the interment, Mr. Doutre and a few of the officers
of the Institut Canadien proceeded to Mount Royal Cemetery, and the casket was
taken from its long resting place and placed in a hearse for removal to Cote des
Neiges Cemetery.
All went well until the little cortege approached the gates of the Roman
Catholic Cemetery on the Cote des Neiges Road, when the modest procession was
greeted with hooting from a crowd of disorderly persons who had assembled on the
road. On arriving at the Cemetery entrance it was found that a mob of consider-
57
able dimensions had closed the gates, and was prepared to resist any attempt to
open them. The hearse was brought to a stop outside, stones began to fly, the
driver was struck, the glass sides of the vehicle were broken, and, for some time, it
looked as though the mob was determined to obtain possession of the casket. The
driver of the hearse soon realized that there was to be nothing gained by remain
ing, and turning the horses, drove back to Mount Royal Cemetery, where the
casket was returned to its old place in the receiving vault.
The news of this open defiance of the law created great excitement throughout
Canada, but there were not wanting those who openly approved of the action of
the mob. The public authorities promptly decided that the dignity of the law
must be asserted at any cost, and the whole of the then existing Montreal militia
corps were ordered under arms for November :6th, to see that the orders of the
Privy Council were carried out.
The force consisted of the Montreal Troop of Cavalry, the nucleus of the
present Duke of York s Royal Canadian Hussars, the Montreal Field Battery, the
Montreal Garrison Artillery, the Prince of Wales Regiment, the Victoria Rifles,
and the Sixth Hochelaga Light Infantry, later the 6th Fusiliers, and recently
amalgamated with the ist Prince of Wales Regiment, which has been transformed
from a rifle corps into a Fusilier Regimen.t.
The Battary paraded in full strength under the command of Major Stevenson,
and was served out with the usual supply of service ammunition. The Militia
Brigade, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Fletcher, Deputy Adjutant
General, first marched to the gates of Mount Royal Cemetery, where the remains
of poor Guibord were once more placed in a hearse for removal to the Roman
Catholic Cemetery. The hearse was escorted by a large detachment of the City
Police Force, accompanied by Doctor, now Sir William Kingston, then Mayor of
Montreal, and the open grave was reached and the remains of Guibord consigned
to mother earth without further incident. The troops marched to Cote des Neiges
via the Outremont road, and during the interment were drawn up ready for any
emergency on the road near the cemetery gates.
A considerable crowd of rowdies had gathered in the vicinity, but beyond a
little hooting and jeering made no hostile demonstration.
This Guibord incident caused a strained feeling between the two branches of
the population of Montreal which lasted for some time. It looked for some years
as though the City would lose its enviable reputation as the home of a singularly
harmonious population, in spite of the fact that it is divided both as to race and
religion. Tolerant feeling in religious matters had, up to this time, been an
honourable characteristic of the whole of the people of Montreal.
Just after the conquest, the Protestant population used one of the Roman
Catholic places of worship for Devine Service, after the usual Sunday celebrations
of the Mass. From 1766 to 1797, the adherents of the Church of England used the
Church of the Recollets every Sunday afternoon for the service of their Church.
5*
Up to 1792, the Presbyterians also used the same sacred edifice for their regular
services, and when their congregation moved to their first church, the old edifice
still standing on St. Gabriel street, the pious and orthodox followers of John Knox
presented the good fathers of the Recollet Church with a handsome gift of candles
for the High Altar, and of wine for the Mass, as a token of appreciation of the
practical Christian courtesy which had prompted the Priests to allow those of
another faith to occupy for so long, gratuitously, their place of worship. The
Recollet fathers certainly showed a marked Christian spirit in that early clay.
The ill-feeling caused by the Guibord case threatened for some time to bring
the good and honourable understanding hitherto existing between the Protestant
ONE SUB-DIVISION.
and Roman Catholic sections of the community to an end. Fanatics arose on both
sides, and secured followings of more or less influence. The excitement had one
good result. It had a stimulating effect upon the Militia corps, and all of the city
military organizations were kept up in a high state of efficiency.
In 1877 a young Orangeman named Hackett was attacked on Victoria Square,
by a gang of roughs, while returning from the Twelfth of July religious service.
Revolvers were drawn on both sides, and Hackett was shot dead in the doorway of a
big warehouse, near the corner of Fortification Lane. The marks of the bullets
59
could, until recently, have been seen on the stone. That night the Montreal
Militia Brigade was on service and passed the night under arms. The whole city
was excited, and it appeared almost impossible to prevent serious trouble. Great
numbers of Orangemen from Ontario and the Eastern Townships arrived in
Montreal for Hackett s funeral, which took place on the iyth. It was announced
that strong parties of Irish Roman Catholics were being organized to attack the
funeral cortege as it passed through the streets, and the whole Brigade was again
called out. The Field Battery had considerable moving about to do, and took up
various commanding positions as the funeral passed through the streets. Thanks,
doubtless to the complete military arrangements, there was no overt act, and
Hackett s body was quietly laid to rest in Mount Royal Cemetery.
The following Twelfth of July the local Orangemen announced their determi
nation to celebrate the anniversary by a grand Orange procession, and again the
city became excited. Some people left the city, and the Banks barricaded their
places of business. The whole of the City Militia force was placed on service,
and in addition A and B Batteries, R. C. A., and the nth, 5Oth, 5ist, 53rd, 54th
and 64th Battalions were sent here. The Mayor, the late Jean Louis Beaudry, had
the Orange leaders arrested at their Hall as disturbers of the peace, no procession
took place, and the much dreaded day passed off quietly. The Battery s orders for
this day were to hold themselves in readiness to proceed rapidly to any point where
its services might be required.
When ordered out on this occasion, the Battery, as stated elsewhere, was
under-going its annual training in camp. On July nth the following Battery
order was issued :
" Orders having been this afternoon issued by Lieut-General Smythe, and
communicated verbally by Lieut-Colonel Fletcher, that the Montreal Field Battery
should immediately leave the location where they are now encamped and remove to
the Lacrosse Grounds beside the A and B Batteries, tents will be struck at once,
and the Battery will remove to the above place without delay."
As soon as the Battery was settled down in its new lines the following
business-like orders were issued :
" The Battery will parade at 9 o clock tomorrow morning in marching order,
horses hooked in, and all ready to move at a moments notice, if required.
" A camp guard consisting of two non-commissioned officers and six men will
mount at 7 a.m. tomorrow, and all the spare men will be supplied with rifles and
ammunition, and will form an additional guard in case the Battery should be
required to leave camp."
The Battery remained in its lines the whole day, horses harnessed, and
officers and men on the alert. The officers on service on this occasion were
Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, Major McGibbon, Captain Oswald, Lieutenant
Green, Surgeon Fen wick and Veterinary Surgeon D. McEachran.
The conduct of the troops during this trying and unsatisfactory service was
60
.
most commendable, the general officer commanding expressing his satisfaction in
the following general order :
" Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Selby Smythe has the pleasure to express
his thanks to the three thousand officers, non-commissioned officers and men,
composing the force in Montreal assembled under his command on the nth and
1 2th instants, for their remarkable discipline and good conduct, as well as for their
singularly soldierlike patience and forbearance under trying circumstances."
The last time the Batten was called out in aid of the Civil power was at the
time of the small-pox riots in the latter part of the summer of 1885. The disease
at the time was epidemic in the city, and the municipal authorities adopted
stringent measures to suppress it, enforcing compulsory vaccination, isolation, etc.
This was resented by a certain section of the population, and a mob attacked and
wrecked an East end vaccination depot, and marching to the City Hall, proceeded
to break the windows.
Threats were made to destroy the small-pox hospitals, and to attack the
municipal authorities, and, to assist the City Police Force, the whole of the local
militia corps were called out. The late Lieutenant-Colonel Straubenzie, then
Deputy Adjutant General, was absent from the city, and the command of the
Division devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, commanding the Field
Battery, who made such a good disposition of the force under his command that
there were no further demonstrations. The next day Major General Middleton,
commanding the Militia, came down from Ottawa and approved of Colonel
Stevenson s arrangements.
During this exciting time the non-commissioned officers of the Field Battery
rendered useful service as mounted orderlies and patrols, the cavalry force being
altogether numerically inadequate to perform the mounted duties required.
The force was necessarily much divided, some companies being detailed for
guards at the small-pox hospitals, at the City Hall, and the Armouries, one also
being stationed at the residence of the then Mayor, Mr. Honore Beaugrand, who
had earned the enmity of the disturbers of the peace by his energetic support of
the health measures adopted. Some regiments were sent through the streets as
patrols, and the Brigadier would have found it impossible to keep up com
munication between the parts of his scattered force without the assistance of the
mounted batterymen.
6 1 -
CHAPTER VI.
THE WORK AND CHANGES OF RECENT YEARS.
JNCE the Fenian Raid of 1870, the Battery has not been called upon
to perform any actual service in defense of the country, but it has
held itself always ready to do so if required. Its efficiency has
never been allowed to fall off, though there have been the usual
number of changes.
Through the Seventies the drills of the old days were kept
up and numerous salutes were fired. In 1872, the Battery fired the
salute in honour of the unveiling of the Queen s statue on Victoria
Square.
The Battery assisted in the organization of the Dominion Artillery
Association, being one of the first corps to affiliate. It has always
stood high in the competitions of that useful organization, and Colonel
Stevenson has in his possession, and prizes very highly, a fine pair of
field-glasses bearing the following inscription : " Dominion Artillery Association.
Presented to Lieut.-Col. A. A. Stevenson, Commanding the Montreal Field Battery,
that Battery having the highest total number of voluntary drills during 1877."
Later similar glasses given as prizes in these competitions were given to the
batteries instead of to the commanding officers, and when Lieut.-Colonel Stevenson
relinquished the command, he had the honour of handing over to his successor two
pairs of glasses similar to the ones in his possession, as well as two silver cups,
awarded as prizes for general efficiency.
The six-pounder guns and the twelve-pounder howitzer originally served out
to the Battery, were called in in 1867 or 1868, and to replace them there were
issued to the Battery three smooth bore nine-pounders and one twenty-four-pounder
howitzer. This armament was in time replaced by four nine-pounder muzzle
loading, rifled guns, and they in turn have just been replaced by six twelve-pounder
breech-loading, rifled guns.
The Battery has fired salutes upon the occasions of the arrival in Montreal of
all of the Governors-General.
While Colonel Coursol was Mayor of Montreal, the city was visited by the
Russian Crown Prince Alexander, afterwards Czar. The mayor tried to arrange a
62
turn-out of all the Montreal corps in honour of the distinguished visitor, but it
could not be arranged. At the request of Colonel Coursol, Colonel Stevenson
turned out the Battery, and the corps went through a number of manoeuvres on
the Champ de Mars before the Crown Prince. This was in winter, and the fact
that the Battery had no sleighs for the guns attracted the attention of the Prince.
He told the Mayor that he was surprised and delighted at the drill of the Batter} ,
but thought it strange that in a country where there was so much snow during the
winter months, that the Battery was not provided with sleighs. Later on the
Battery was equipped with sleighs.
On August 3Oth, 1880, the Field Battery lost by the death of Quartermaster
Sergeant John Cooper, a non-commissioned officer who had rendered the corps
loyal and noteworthy service ever since 1855. His
death was the occasion of th.e issuance of a Battery
order in which the Commanding Officer declared
l> The long connection of the deceased with the Corps
(25 years), the interest he manifested in all its affairs,
and his zeal and usefulness in the position he held,
furnish strong claims to the gratitude of the members
of the Battery."
The remains were accorded a military funeral by
the comrades of the deceased.
The Field Battery has always maintained an envi
able reputation for good target practice.
In 1 86 1 the officers of the Battery donated a
handsome gold medal for competition among the men
of the Battery, the winners being as follows: 1861,
Gunner Wm. Bauden ; 1862, Gunner Charles Breadon ;
1863, Driver John Outhed ; 1864, Sergeant John
Wilson; 1865, Gunner Hugh McKay; Final Winner,
1866, Sergeant John Wilson.
The conditions governing the competition for the
medal were as follows :
MEDAL FOR TARGET
1 I.\AL WINNER SOT. JOHN WILSON. ]866
"The Officers of the Montreal Field Battery of
Artillery, having presented a Gold Medal, to be competed for among the non
commissioned officers and men of the Battery, it is hereby ordered that the
following conditions be observed in reference thereto :
" ist. The Medal to be the property of the Company, and is to be fired for
annually for five years. The person who makes the best firing, will wear the
Medal for one year, or until it is next competed for. The name of the winner will
be engraved on the back of the Medal, every year, and any person who should be
successful in winning it twice within the period of five years before alluded to, will
be entitled to claim the Medal as his own property. Unless some one shall have
63
won it twice within the period referred to, the Medal will then be competed for by
the five members who shall have been successful in winning it in former years.
" 2nd. Every competitor will point and lay his own gun, and the result will
be declared according to the average distance from the centre of the target, of the
whole number of rounds fired by each, and not on what may perhaps be the best
single shot.
" 3rd. The Officers will each year determine what number of rounds shall be
allowed to each competitor for that year, and also the range to be adopted."
The men of the Battery have always given a creditable account of themselves
at the annual competitions held under the auspices of the Dominion Artillery
Association. In 1879, the target practice took place on the Island of Orleans, and
the programme provided that each man of the whole detatchment of sixteen was to
fire three rounds of common and three of shrapnel shell. Corporal Alexander
Ogilvie Hastings had the satisfaction, on this occasion, of making the highest score
ever made up to that time in these competitions, 48 out of a possible 52. Corporal
Kendall was second with 40 points, and Gunner McKinnon third with 37. In
addition to the medal and badge presented by the Dominion Artillery Association,
Corporal Hastings was presented with a gold medal by Mr. W. T. Walker, of
St. Louis, Missouri, a former member of the Battery.
The following year Hastings, by that time promoted to be a sergeant, again
headed the list with the score of 46, Sergeant John Marsh being second with 42 and
Gunner J. McG. Mowat third with 41. The team score was 558, the highest on
record up to that time. The then Minister of Militia, the Hon. A. P. Caron,
specially came to Montreal that year to present the Batterymen with their pri/es.
Sergeant Hastings represented the Battery on the first Canadian Artillery team to
visit Shoeburyness, in iSSi.
June 7th, 1881, two guns of the Battery participated in the inauguration of the
monument erected at Chambly, in honor of De Salaberry, the Canadian Leonidas,
the heroic officer who, at the head of some 400 militiamen, in the war of 1812,
inflicted a disastrous defeat upon an invading army of 7,000 men, in the valley of
the Chateauguay.
September 26th, 1881, the Montreal Field Battery performed another of those
noteworthy acts of international courtesy which have characterized its career.
The great neighbouring Republic had been bereft of its President, the brave
and good General Garfield, by the hand of a cowardly assassin. The whole world,
shocked at the unreasoning brutality of the devilish deed, watched sympathetically
at the bedside of the suffering President and sympathised with the American
people when his gallant fight against the inevitable came to an end. It was one
of those occasions when the natural unity of the Anglo-Saxon race was manifested
to a sceptical world, and, from the Queen-Empress to the lowliest of her subjects
in the world-wide Empire, went out a feeling of sincere fraternal sympathy to the
kindred people of the United States.
64
Nowhere was this feeling more sincere than in Canada. At the time of the
President s death a United States military organization, the Troy Citizens Corps,
was in Montreal on an excursion, and the Field Battery was associated with the
other local corps in entertaining them. After the sad news was received the
visiting corps cancelled its engagements, and marching to the station with muffled
drums and draped colours, took the train back to Troy, N. Y.
The funeral took place on the 26th and while it was in progress a memorial
service was held in the American Presbyterian Church on Dorchester Street. At
the same time the Field Battery fired minute guns from Dominion Square. The
order calling out the Battery on this occasion read as follows :
" As a mark of respect for the memory of a gallant soldier, and to manifest
their sympathy with a neighbouring nation now in mourning, the Montreal Field
Battery will muster at the Drill Shed, Craig Street, this afternoon at one o clock
precisely, and will proceed to Dominion Square for the purpose of firing minute
guns during the funeral obsequies of the late President Garfield at Cleveland,
Ohio. The firing will continue during the whole time the funeral procession is in
progress, probably occupying two hours."
March loth, 1888, the Battery participated in the Montreal celebration of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the marriage of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and
and Princess of Wales, marching with a detachment of the Prince of Wales Regi
ment to Mount Royal, where a Royal salute was fired in honour of the occasion.
During March, 1889, ^ r - Frederic Villiers, the celebrated war correspondent
and artist, lectured in Montreal, under the auspices of the Field Battery, the
lectures proving a rare treat for the citizens.
The annual camp in 1882,011 the exhibition grounds, was under the command
of Lieutenant Green, Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson being on leave. Lieutenant-
Colonel Irwin was the inspecting officer at the annual inspection at the conclusion
of the camp, and said, in addressing the men, that the Battery could not be surpassed
by any corps he had ever inspected. This year the Battery participated in the
grand military review held on Fletcher s Field, the ninth of September, in connec
tion with the big exhibition of that year. Special interest attached to this event
owing to the presence of two American corps, the Troy Citizens Corps, and the
Barlow Grays, of St. Albans, Vt. The evening after the review the Battery gave a
grand military entertainment in the Queen s Hall, under the auspices of His
Honor Lieutenant-Governor Robitaille.
In 1885 the men of the Battery fondly cherished the hope that they would be
called upon to assist in the suppression of the North West Rebellion, and officers and
men worked with redoubled efforts to keep the corps up to the very highest point
of efficiency. The Battery was complete in every respect and ready to take the field
and give a good account of itself at any moment, but the uprising was put down in
short order by Major-General Middleton, without requiring the assistance of any of
the volunteer batteries from the Eastern provinces.
65
In 1886 the Montreal Field Battery performed one of those little acts of inter
national courtesy which have had so much to do towards drawing closer together
the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon family, which are working out in their
own way the problem of developing the resources of the North American Con
tinent. Mr. Grover Cleveland, then President of the United States, was married in
June, and Lieut.-Col. Stevenson conceived the idea that it would be a courteous
thing to fire a salute in honour of the occasion. So he communicated with Head
quarters and obtained the necessary permission on the afternoon of the day of the
wedding. The salute was fired on Dominion Square, at seven o clock, the hour at
which the ceremony took place. An American, who was at Montreal at the time,
wrote to one of the local papers expressing the gratitude of his fellow countrymen
in the following words : " When I heard the salvo of cannon at the moment of
Mr. Cleveland s marriage, a feeling of deep pleasure, a sentiment of gratitude to
the Montreal Field Battery for its graceful act, stirred my blood ; and I am sure
that it was the same with every American resident in Montreal. Honours are easy ;
for I venture to say, nay I proudly assert that the heart of Britain throbs not more
warmly than that of every true American with sentiments of profound respect
and deep admiration for the incomparable Lady who, during many years, has so
graced the throne of Great Britain ; and it would gratify us all to prove by deed, as
we would fain express by word, our homage for Her."
The Battery fired another salute upon the occasion of another historical event
in 1886. The despatching of the first through train to the Pacific over the just
completed Canadian Pacific Railway, June 28, was attended with considerable cere
mony. A guard of honour from the Victoria Rifles was in attendance at the old
station on Dalhousie Square, and the Mayor, aldermen, members of parliament, and
representatives of various religious, business and public bodies gathered at the
station. At 8 p. in., the Mayor, Mr. Beaugrand, gave the order for the train to
start, and as it slowly pulled out of the station the Battery fired a salute.
Two distinct organizations existed for some time within the ranks of the
Montreal Field Battery, and had much to do during several years with the main
tenance of the spirit of esprit de corps and camaraderie, which has always
distinguished the corps. The Montreal Field Battery Association was organized
in 1885, its objects being, according to the constitution :
" (a) The promotion and maintenance of the efficiency of the Battery, and an
esprit de corps among its members.
" (l>) The formation of a fund to assist the Battery in carrying on its work.
" (c) Organizing and carrying on sports, games, athletic exercises, military
competitions, and entertainments of any kind, and provision for a band when
required."
In 1888, when winter sports were booming as a result of the series of winter
carnivals, the Montreal Field Battery Snowshoe Club was organized, and during
that winter and for several following, the club held a prominent place among the
66
winter athletic organizations of the city. The club held its regular tramps, its
steeplechases, its ladies nights, its drives, etc., and in the carnival procession of
1889, the allegorical car of the club was admitted to be one of the most effective on
parade. The car represented a full battery behind a snow fort, with a pyramid of
men in the centre of the whole. It was drawn by six battery teams with artillery
harness and driven in the regulation way by mounted drivers in the full winter
uniform of the Battery. It was accompanied by a mounted escort.
The Battery has played an important part in obtaining the present excellent
quarters of the Montreal Militia corps. When first organized the Battery had the
use of the Artillery quarters at the old Quebec
Gate Barracks, where the station now stands,
for the guns and for gun drill, while the East
ern part of the upper story of the Bonsecours
Market was used for the foot and sword drill.
This was after the Barracks had been vacated
by the Imperial troops, who had been ordered
off to the Crimea. When the Royal Artillery
returned in force, at the time of the Trent
affair, the Battery had to leave the barracks,
and found accommodation for some time, both
for the guns and drills, at the Crystal Palace,
then located on St. Catherine Street, opposite
the end of Victoria Street.
Some objection having been made to the
use of part of the Bonsecours Market for
evening drills, in 1857 or 1858, Lieutenant-
Colonel Stevenson and Captain A. W. Ogilvie,
then commanding the Montreal Cavalry, had
the Victoria Hall, on Victoria Square, erected
as a drill shed for the two corps. This build
ing was vacated when the old Drill Shed
on Craig Street, on the site of the present one,
was erected. When the Drill Shed collapsed
the Battery re-occupied the Crystal Palace as quarters, and when compelled to
leave that building again, returned to what was left of the old Drill Shed. After
the Montreal High School moved from the building at present occupied by the
Fraser Institute, at the corner of University and Dorchester Streets, Colonel
Stevenson rented the lower part of the building as quarters for the Battery, and
considerable expense was incurred in putting the place in a proper state of repair.
After a couple of years occupation of these quarters, the Battery had again to move,
and this time there was no place to move satisfactorily to. So the guns were
stored in the Crystal Palace, which had been removed to the exhibition grounds at
67
MAJOR JOHN S. HALL
Mile End, the harness was stored in a warehouse on Notre Dame Street, and the
men did what foot drill they could in the upper flat of the Bonsecours Market.
This was the unsatisfactory state of affairs when Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson,
who was well supported by Lieutenant-Colonels Bond, of the Prince of Wales
Regiment, Whitehead, of the Victoria Rifles, and Gardner, of the Sixth Fusiliers,
set to work to get the Drill Shed re-built.
The site on which the old shed. had been built had been bought by the corpo
ration the year after the first Fenian Raid, when the value of the. Militia Force
was appreciated by the public. The City then built a shed, the armouries round the
drill hall proper being only one storey high.
The cost of the land and building was
$125,000. The construction of the roof was
such that the nuts of the tie rods required to
be tightened and loosened according as the iron
contracted and expanded with the changes in
temperature. This duty being neglected one
fine, cold night, part of the roof came down.
While the drill shed was habitable the govern
ment had paid the City rental for it, but after
the collapse of the roof the payments stopped.
This was the position when Colonel Steven
son got the other commanding officers to make
a strong united demand for a Drill Hall.
Clearly the first thing to be done was to
induce the City Council to adopt some plan
for the rebuilding of the collapsed structure
on an improved plan. A general municipal
election was approaching and all of the candi
dates were canvassed to say whether they
would support the demand of the Militia or
not. One prominent alderman flatly refused
to pledge himself to the scheme as submitted,
and at the very last moment it was decided to
bring out Colonel Stevenson against him. All the volunteers in the City turned
out and worked for the Colonel and elected him. He has been a member of
the City Council ever since.
In the City Council he would not allow the Drill Hall project to drop out of
notice, and, principally owing to his efforts, in 1882 arrangements were completed
for constructing the present commodious, if not exactly handsome, structure on
Craig Street. The building was completed in 1888, the Battery taking possession
of its quarters in May of that year.
In 1891 Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, beloved by his men, and admired and
68
MAJOR r,K()Ri.K R. HOOPKR.
I885-I895.
respected by all having the best interests of the Militia of Canada at heart, retired
from the Battery, after thirty-six years service in that corps, and having had the
command with conspicuous credit to himself for no less than thirty-four years.
When he handed the corps over to his successor, Major Hall, he turned it over
with all the stores and equipment complete, an achievement on which the veteran
officer justly prides himself.
Lieut.-Colonel Stevenson formally relinquished the command of the Battery
and read his farewell order at a drill parade held on the evening of April 24th.
After the reading of this order, which was very affecting, by Lieut.-Colonel
Stevenson, a short speech was made to the Battery by Major J. S. Hall, to whom the
command was turned over. In the course of his remarks Major Hall said : "I wish
to say a few words with regard to the stores. Colonel Stevenson has turned
them over without one single piece, even to the smallest iota, being missing. You
who know what a vast amount of stores there is to
look after can well understand that this is something
to be more than proud of."
Lieut.-Colonel G. Mattice, the Brigade Major of
the Montreal District, also delivered a few remarks,
saying : " I can only endorse what Major Hall has
said in regard to the Battery stores. To me it is
something marvellous to know that nothing was
missing. In the short space of one hour and a half
the whole stores were turned over in perfect order,
and I may say that I do not think there is another
corps in Canada that could show their stores in such
a condition."
Major J. S. Hall held the command until Feb
ruary, 1895, when he was succeeded by Major George
R. Hooper. During Major Hall s tenure of the com
mand there was not much out of the ordinary in the
Battery s work. It had its annual encampment on
either the Exhibition grounds or St. Helen s Island, and the usual detachments
were sent every year to the Island of Orleans for the field firing practice.
Foot drills were kept up as usual in the armoury during the winter.
Major George R. Hooper, who succeeded Major Hall, was an accomplished
officer, and during the last few years he had had considerable experience in the
work of the Batter} , for Major Hall, being Provincial Treasurer, was often com
pletely engrossed with his civil duties. Major Hooper was a graduate of that
excellent institution, and the Alma Mater of so many good officers, the Royal
Military College, Kingston.
Major Hooper graduated in 1882 in a class which included a number of Cadets
who have since distinguished themselves, notably Lieutenant Stairs, who so dis-
69
. M. SKKC.KANT J. MC(,. M<)\VAT
1876-1892.
tinguished himself in connection with Stanley s last great expedition across the
Continent of Africa. He joined the Field Battery as 2nd Lieutenant under Lieuten
ant-Colonel Stevenson in 1885, the year of the North West Rebellion, when the
Battery was very anxious to be sent to the front, and, as a matter of fact, expected
to be ordered out any day. The officers of the Battery at that time were Lieuten
ant-Colonel Stevenson, Captain Green, Lieutenant J. S. Hall, Surgeon G. E.
Fenwick, and Veterinary Surgeon D. McEachran. Major Hooper obtained his
captaincy April 24th, 1891, and his majority Feb. 9, 1895.
It was largely through Major Hooper s personal friendship that Lieutenant
Percy Girouard, at present of the Royal Engineers, became attached to the Battery
GROUP OK OFFICERS IN CAMP IN 1890
SURGEON-MAJOR (.. K. KKNWICK LT.-COL. A. A. STKYENSON LT. PKRCY GIROVARD
I.T.-COI,. MONTIZAMBKRT MAJOR J. S. HAM,
CAPTAIN ( ,EO. R. HOOI-KK
VET.-CAP. CIIAS. McKACHkAN
in 1890, and that fine young officer s picture figures in the photograph of the group
of the officers of the Battery taken in 1890. Lieutenant Gironard was, like Major
Hooper, a graduate of the Royal Military College, but before many months service
in the Montreal Battery, he accepted a commission in the Royal Engineers. His
work in connection with the construction of the railway built in Egypt, to keep up
the communication between the base and the force operating for the re-conquest of
the Soudan, is a matter of military history. He has had charge of the work, and
70
with such success that the whole military world united in praising the achievement
as one of the most successful and remarkable military works on record. Some of
the highest authorities declare that, next to Lord Kitchener himself, the credit for
the success of the present campaign in the Soudan belongs to Lieutenant Girouard.
Lieutenant Girouard has lately been appointed to the supreme control of all the
railways in Egypt. After graduating at Kingston, this officer was for some time
engaged in engineering work connected with railway construction, and the experi
ence then obtained, combined with natural talent and the thorough education
received at the Royal Military College, has stood him in a good stead in his import
ant work in the Soudan. He now has the rank of Major in the Egyptian Army.
In 1877 the camp was held on St. Catherine Street West near the City limits,
and the year following the Battery went into camp on July 8th on a vacant lot on
the South side of Dorchester Street West, just beyond Atwater Avenue. On the
orders of Lieutenant-General Sir Selby Smythe, tents were struck on the afternoon
of July nth and the Batter}- camp removed to the old Montreal Lacrosse Grounds
on St. Catherine Street, between Mackay and Mountain Streets, where A and B
Batteries of the Regiment of Canadian Artillery were encamped in anticipation of
rioting on the i2th of July. The annual training was completed there, the
Battery marching out on the ryth of the month. In 1879 the first of the Battery s
camps in the exhibition grounds at Mile End was held. The camp at night was
lighted with the electric light, then considered a great novelty. The annual
camps for the six succeeding years were held on the same ground, the military
enclosure on St. Helen s Island being then adopted as the camping ground.
During Major Hooper s tenure of the command, Lieutenant Benyon was
transferred from the Battery to the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
A noticeable change was made in the uniform in 1894, the old blue shoulder
strap on the serges and tunics being replaced by one of scarlet. This change was
general throughout the service, the object being to create a distinction between the
Militia Artillery and the Royal Artillery, the shoulder strap being the onl}
distinguishing feature there is.
In 1894, General Herbert, then in command of the Militia, expressed a
wish that the Battery should put in its annual training in the District camp.
Consequently that year the corps encamped at Laprairie, and was brigaded with
the Shefford Field Battery.
Up to 1895 the Battery had sent detachments to the Island of Orleans each
year for the annual target practice, but that year a new departure was made. A
camp of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery was established at Laprairie,
and every battery in Canada had to send detachments there to take part in field
firing exercises under service conditions. The introduction of this idea was largely
due to Lieut. 1 Drury, R. C. A., who had recently returned ^rom Okehampton.
/
CHAPTER VII.
THE FIELD BATTERY AS IT is TO-DAY.
L,L one has to imagine is one of the smartest of the field batteries of
the Royal Artillery to be seen at Aldershot, replace the blue
shoulder straps on the tunics by red ones, and instead of the ugly
helmets place smart busbies, very much resembling those of the
Royal Horse or Galloping" Artillery, on the heads of officers
and men, and one has a very good idea of what the 3rd
(Montreal) Field Battery looks like on parade to-day, and as
the citizens of Montreal saw it when it marched into quarters
at the conclusion of the annual camp last summer.
On July 6th, 1883, the Battery discarded the leggings previously
worn, and adopted the riding breeches and high boots, which distin
guish the corps from the other field batteries of the Militia service.
The men provide the boots and breeches at their own expense, and
they add greatly to the smart appearance of the well proportioned
battery men on parade. The Montreal Battery has always, and quite
justly, prided itself upon the fine physique and soldierly bearing of its men, and
the boast was never better justified than at the present time.
The Battery has come to be regarded as somewhat of a corps d elite. Many
of its members have served in various other city corps, not a fe\v of them having
given up stripes in crack infantry regiments to join the Battery as gunners. There
is an esprit de corps and feeling of camaraderie in the Field Battery distinctively
its own, amounting practically to a species of freemasonry. This has had the effect
of keeping men in the Battery for long terms of service, and has most advantage
ously affected the recruiting, for as soon as men take their discharge, friends of
those remaining always are ready to volunteer to fill the vacancies.
The present Sergeant Major of the Battery, J. D. Kendall, has seen 38 years
service in the Militia, receiving his first stripe as bombardier in the Battery in 1877,
and obtaining his Short Course certificate at the Royal School of Gunnery in
July, 1878. The same year he was promoted to be corporal, and July 3Oth, 1881,
to be sergeant. He succeeded Sergeant Major Walker as tbs chief non-commis
sioned officer of the Battery in 1896.
72
The Batter} is now commanded by Major Richard Costigan, a most energetic
and capable officer, under whose command the corps is keeping well up to its old
traditions. He joined the Battery as Second Lieutenant in 1890, was promoted
to be Lieutenant April 24th, 1891, Captain, February gth, 1895, an< ^ succeeded
Major Hooper in the command, with the rank of Major, on February 27th, 1897.
Before joining the Battery, Major Costigan had the advantage of a long and
varied military training. His first soldiering was in that fine old nursery of the
Militia, a corps that has supplied more good officers to the Militia of this district
than all the other corps put together, the High School Cadet Rifles. The present
major was then but a boy, but the drill and the soldierly instincts he then learned
from the old instructor, Major Barnjum, he has not forgotten. After leaving the
High School in 1877, he enlisted in the Victoria Rifles, and served in that corps up
to 1889, when he joined the Montreal Garrison Artillery as Second Lieutenant, and
qualified for his commission at the School of Gunnery at Quebec. Within a year
of taking his commission Lieutenant Costigan was put in command of Number Five
Battery of the Garrison, and a little while later was appointed adjutant. The
following year he resigned from the Garrison Artillery and took a commission in
the Field Battery, being one of the hardest working officers of the Battery ever since,
giving much time and attention to the interests of his corps, though much of his
time has been occupied with his private and municipal business. For three terms
he represented St. Antoine Ward in the City Council.
When Major Costigan took the command of the Battery, Captain A. T. Ogilvie
transferred from the Victoria Rifles to the Battery. A short time ago he was
transferred to the Royal Canadian Artillery. Mr. Donald A. Smith, a grandson of
Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, joined the Battery in 1896, and was promoted
to be Captain last spring.
Perhaps the most important event in the history of the Battery since its organ
ization, the increase of strength and the re-arming, took place in the spring of 1898.
By this change the strength was increased from 79 to 102, and the number of
guns from four to six.
The guns are modern, breech loading, i2-pounder rifles, and with them was
served to the Battery a complete, new sett of harness, waggons, etc.
Surgeon-Major Wilson represented the Battery in the detachment selected from
the Canadian Militia to represent Canada at Her Majesty s Diamond Jubilee, he
having been placed in medical charge of the contingent.
On the occasion of its organization the Battery adopted as its motto the words
" Always on Hand ", a motto the corps has always well lived up to.
The original badge of the battery was a large Maltese cross, with three cannon
balls within each angle. The circular centre of the cross was occupied by an
unlimbered field gun, while the Imperial Crown occupied the upper arm of the
cross. The right arm of the cross bore the words " Montreal Field Battery ", the
left, " Volunteer Artillery ", and the lower " Always on Hand".
73
Iii 1886 a new badge was adopted. It consisted of a gun, within a garter,
surmounted by a lion on the Imperial Crown. Within the garter was the then
title of the Battery, "The Montreal Field Battery of Artillery," while flanking it
were two sprays of oak leaves tied underneath, the junction of the two sprays being
hidden by a scroll bearing the old motto, " Always on Hand".
The latter badge is practically the present badge of the Battery, the new
designation merely being added within the garter.
The Field Battery has always been a favourite corps with the people of
Montreal, as abundantly proven by the applause which has greeted it at reviews
etc., and the popularity of the corps was never greater than at present.
Admiration for this efficient organization is not confined to the fellow citizens
of the smart gunners. A short time ago a letter to the editor was published in the
Montreal Daily Star from a gentleman who signed himself as " J. Drew Gay, Late
Colonel Ottoman Army ". It read as follows :
" I see that the critics have been making adverse comment upon the Canadian
volunteers. Allow me, as one who has seen service all over the world, to say that
ten years ago, when I visited Canada for the first time, I said in the London Daily
Telegraph, of which journal I was for eighteen years chief war correspondent, that
I had never seen so good a battery of volunteer artillery as that commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson of your city, and that the opinion I then expressed
has never changed. In my opinion the Canadians possess many volunteer
and militia regiments which could take the field along-side of any of the line
regiments in Europe, with credit and confidence."
December 2nd, 1878, Colonel Gay in his description of the reception of the
Marquis of Lome and Her Royal Highness Princess Louise in Montreal published
in the London Daily Telegraph December agth, wrote :
"And such militia ! I know it is the fashion to decry and depreciate irregular
forces. I am aware that to the " regular " the idea of militia is " something too
absurd ", but I may mention that, gathered on parade that morning, were more
than one battalion that would have done credit to any army in the world ; that
Stevenson s four gun battery is almost the equal of some of our own famous
batteries at Woolwich ; and that the Scotch companies of the Fifth Fusilier regiment
showed as handsome a set of fellows as ever marched past the saluting point."
74
CHAPTER VIII.
MON t:AL
y, c^V
SOME OFFICIAL RECOGNITIONS OF EFFICIENCY
FACT upon which the 3rd Field Battery especially prides itself
is that, throughout its entire career, it has been maintained in a
thoroughly efficient state, up to full strength and ready to turn
out at any time in response to any call of duty. That the
worthy boast is well founded can easily be proved by a
scrutiny of the official records ever since the battery was
organized.
The following general order speaks for itself :
"Headquarters, Montreal, i/th March, 1857.
" General Order No. 3.
The Lieutenant-General Commanding having had an
opportunity of seeing the Volunteer Field Battery and Foot Companies of Artillery,
and the Volunteer Militia Rifle Companies manoeuvre yesterday on the ice, in
company with Her Majesty s 39th Regiment of Foot, desires to express his satis
faction at the soldier-like steadiness and appearance of the Provincial Forces. The
manner in which the Field Battery took up its position on the ice and opened fire
was most creditable. The alacrity with which the officers and men of these
Militia Forces turned out at the request of their Commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel
Dyde, shows an esprit highly commendable and full of promise.
"(Signed), W. J. D URHAX, Colonel
"Deputy Quartermaster General."
In his annual report in 1866, Major-General Lindsay reported as follows on
the Battery :
" The Montreal Field Battery, under Major Stevenson, is well drilled, and the
corps displays great zeal to the service. They are badly equipped, and have old
pattern guns.
" Half the battery was stationed recently at Huntingdon, and performed severe
marches over execrable roads."
The same officer reporting on the operations along the frontier in connection
with the Fenian Raids of that year remarked :
" In March and June the Volunteer Force was suddenly called out for active
75
service on account of threatened Fenian incursions. These calls were obeyed with
such alacrity that the enrolled men literally sprang to arms on their services being
required by their country.
" The latter emergency took place at a period when the greater part of the
members of the Force were exposed to much inconvenience and personal loss.
They cheerfully left their agricultural and commercial pursuits and at once
responded to the demand of duty to the state. "
Lieutenant-Colonel Osborne Smith, Assistant Adjutant Genera.1 of Militia, and
Commanding the Volunteer Militia Force on the South Western Frontier had the
following to say of the force that had been under his immediate command during
the trouble :
"It is my pleasing duty to report to you most satisfactorily on this force. The
officers generally are zealous and intelligent, whilst of the general conduct and
spirit displayed by the men I cannot speak too highly. "
Colonel P. Robertson Ross, the then Adjutant General, in his report for 1869,
remarked in connection with a reference to a voluntary parade of the Montreal
Force on the 6th of August :
" After the usual inspection, the brigade marched past in open column of
companies headed by the Troop of Cavalry and the Field Battery, and again in
contiguous columns at quarter distance, after which a change of front was effected ;
the brigade deployed, skirmishers were thrown out, and the whole advanced under
cover of the fire of the artillery subsequently retiring, the guns taking up other
positions to cover the retreat, fresh skirmishers and supports from the reserves
were extended, relieving those first employed.
" Several charges were made in good style, and the manoeuvres, considering
the very few opportunities that have of late been afforded the Montreal force for
Brigade drill, were very creditably performed.
The manner, in particular, in which the Field Battery took up its various
positions, fired and manoeuvred, was most praiseworthy, and both its commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, and those under him, proved themselves to be not
only well acquainted with, but very proficient in the performance of their duties."
Speaking of the Field Artillery in general in the same report, Colonel
Robertson Ross said :
" With regard to the Field Batteries of Artillery, ten in number, they are in a
perfectly serviceable and effective condition, and this satisfactory result reflects
great credit not only on the officers in command of these Batteries, but on the
individual officers and men composing them.
"At various reviews which were held last summer, these batteries worked well
in brigade, taking up positions in good style, and firing with ease and rapidity ; and
they only require, in addition to the periodical practice instruction in firing shot and
shell, to be trained at the annual drills in Brigade, in co-operation with Cavalry and
Infantry, to acquire and maintain an adequate and reasonable degree of efficiency."
76
SERGEANTS OK THE 3RD (MONTREAL) FIELD BATTERY
7
1 SERGEANT MAJOR R. J. KI.NDAI.
2 HOSPITAL SERGEANT WALLACE DA\VSON
3 QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT H. T. HOLDHKOOKK
4 SERGEANT W. J. PORTEOTS
5 SKRGKAXT THOMAS C. JOHVSTON-
o SEKGI:ANI- \\";I.I.IAM J. WILKINSON
ORDERLY ROOM CLERK THOMAS V. BELL
SERGEANT WM. Axors PATON
SKKGI.ANT C,. H. A. STKYKNSON
9 ARMOURY SEKGEAXT WM. HICC.INS
10 SERGKAN-T JAMKS C. PKTTIC,RE\Y
11 COLLAR-MAKER SERGEANT JOHN THOMAS
12 FARRIER SERGEANT JAMES BACON
The gallant Colonel closes his remarks on the subject with the following trite
observation :
"The power and value of Field Artillery is so well known, and the moral
effect produced by it, during operations in the field, so great, that the maintenance
of these Batteries in a state of efficiency at all times, is a matter of the greatest
importance."
The same officer in his report the following year dwelt upon the difficulty
experienced at this time in procuring horses. He remarked :
" This battery was practised in gun drill and field manoeuvres. The In
spector of Artillery reported their gun drill as very good, the driving as indifferent.
With regard to this battery, which is commanded by a zealoiis and energetic
officer, and composed of an intelligent and fine body of men, the ever recurring
difficulty it experiences in procuring horses whenever required, practically seems
to render it non-effective."
Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher, C. M. G. had the following to say about the
Battery in his annual report for 1880:
" The Montreal Field Battery, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Stevenson went into camp for ten days on the Exhibition grounds near Montreal.
The Battery mustered in full strength. The camp was well laid out. The drill
and camp duties were efficiently carried out, as they have always been under
Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson. The Battery was inspected on the aist of August
by Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin, Inspector of Artillery, and the Brigade Major, in
presence of the Major-General Commanding.
" A detachment of the Battery went subsequently to the Island of Orleans for
gun practice and I have heard that good practice was made this year."
In 1886 the Battery was inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Montizambert,
Assistant Inspector of Artillery, and his official report was as follows :
" Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson commanding. Inspected on St. Helen s
Island, on 3Oth August. The turn-out of the Battery could hardly be much better.
Fine men, clean and smart, with well fitted clothing and all booted. They had
their guns, equipment, carriages, harness, etc., in the most perfect order. Field
manoeuvres good. Gun drill very good. Gzowski competition very fast and well
done. The camp arrangements of this Batter}/ were excellent. Gun practice was
performed at the Island of Orleans, Quebec."
In 1887 the Battery was inspected by Major Short, B Battery, R. C. A., Acting
Assistant Inspector, who reported as follows:
" Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson commanding. I inspected this fine Battery
on St. Helen s Island on the 28th of June and found it, as usual, in an excellent
state of efficiency. The horses, guns, harness, clothing and equipment in the most
perfect order. The field manoeuvres, marching past, gun drill, answers to
questions and Gzowski shift, excellent. In fact the whole turn-out reflects the
greatest credit on all concerned. The gun practice was performed at Quebec."
78
In 1888 Lieutenant-Colonel Montizambert was again the inspecting officer,
and he had the following report to make :
" Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson commanding. Inspected on St. Helen s
Island on the 4th July. Found no falling off from its usual marked efficiency.
Horses good, but rather too heavy a class. Guns, carriages, harness, clothing and
equipment in first rate order. Marching past, field manoeuvres, gun drill, answers
to questions and Gzowski competition all good and very creditable to all ranks.
Their gun practice was performed at the Island of Orleans, near Quebec, under my
superintendence on the loth September, when the high score of 394 was made."
Lieutenant-Colonel Irwin was the inspecting officer in 1890 and he reported
as follows :
" This Battery performed its annual drill in camp on St. Helen s Island and
was inspected by the Deputy Adjutant General and myself on the 13:!! August.
The general state of efficiency was, as usual, very creditable to all concerned.
The range-finding practice was subsequently performed at a range near Lachine,
the Battery turning out voluntarily for the purpose. Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson
informs me the range is a good and safe one, so that it will be possible to go
through a similar practice next year during the annual drill.
In his annual report in 1891, Major-General Herbert, then commanding the
Militia force, made his famous comparison of the different branches of the service
which was so flattering to the artillery force. The General said in part :
" The relative degree of efficiency of the three arms in the Active Militia is as
follows : Artillery, i ; Cavalry, 2 ; Infantry, 3.
" The superiority of the Artillery, and the marked inferiority of the Infantry,
are traceable to the same cause, viz : the manner in which the duty of inspection
is carried out. In the Artillery, the system instituted by General Strange, when
Inspector of Artillery, and still efficiently carried out, makes the inspection at
once a test of efficiency, a means of instruction and a source of emulation. The
inspection of the other arms has degenerated into a mere parade or review, which
is productive of no good result at all, but, on the contrary, frequently directs the
efforts of commanding officers into a wrong channel. The encouragement of a
spirit of emulation in real efficiency, and not in mere show, is most desirable."
As a matter of fact, the Battery has never undergone a poor inspection, and
has never been criticised as inefficient by an inspecting officer. On the contrary
every commanding officer the Canadian Militia has ever had, as well as the regular
staff inspecting officers have bestowed unstinted praise upon officers and men for
their efficiency and soldierly conduct.
It is doubtful if any other battery of field artillery in the armed forces of Her
Majesty could make a similar claim.
It must be remembered too, that few field batteries in the Royal Artillery can
claim such a long continuous career as the Montreal Field Batter}-. From 1819 to
1846 there was no field artillery in Britain equipped, except seven troops of Royal
79
Horse Artillery, and these had only two guns each, with horses and men in
proportion. The only field batteries in the whole service kept equipped were in
Canada. At Woolwich there was material and horses for three field batteries of
instruction ; companies took them over in turn for a few months for drill, when
they were handed over to other companies. It was not until 1852, three years
only before the organization of the Montreal Battery, that an impetus was given
to field artillery in the British Army by the horsing of 104 guns and their
organizations into permanent batteries.
In view of the then so recent establishment on a permanent basis of this
branch of the service, the acknowledged efficiency of the Battery in the first years
of its existence is all the more remarkable and creditable.
The Battery, under command of Major Costigan, took part in the big review
held on Logans Park on Jubilee Day, 1897. The Battery was at the time encamped
on St. Helen s Island. They were embarking on the steamer when an overturned
boat was noticed drifting down the swift current, some distance out from shore,
with several men clinging to the bottom. A terrific wind storm was raging, and
the surface of the St. Lawrence was very rough. There was a small boat near the
wharf, but the spectators on the Island appeared afraid to put out in it. With the
men of the Battery it was different. Sergeant-Major Kendal and Trumpeter
Bishop jumped into the boat and put out for the drowning men. It was hard work
to force the skiff against the sea, and the frail craft was almost swamped. But they
succeeded, and, with great risk to their overladen boat, brought those who had been
in the water to land. The rescue was a gallant one, and largely through the
representations and efforts of Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson, the act was acknow
ledged by the Royal Humane Society of Canada, which bestowed medals upon
Kendal and Bishop.
The present officers and men of the Battery certainly have every reason to be
proud of the past record of their corps from its very earliest existence ; and in the
official commendations which have been elicited by its efficiency, no less than in
the honourable traditions which have been handed down by successive officers,
non-commissioned officers and men, in the natural loyalty of Her Majesty s
Canadian subjects, and in their determination to keep the Union Jack flying
for all time over this broad Dominion, they draw an inspiration which should
result in keeping their splendid corps for all time true to its good old motto
" Always on Hand ".
LIST OF OFFICERS
THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE MONTREAL FIELD BATTERY,
AND THE DATES OF THE OFFICIAL GAZETTES
CONCERNING THEM.
Wni. Francis Coffin, Capt. Sept. 27 1855. Was a
Major in Montreal Light Infantry, Feb.
26 1847 In command Artillery forces of
Montreal. Transferred to staff of Upper Ca
nada Militia Dec. n 1856.
Henry Hogan, 2nd Lieut. Sept. 22 1855, 1st Lieut.
Nov. 14 1855, Capt. July 3 1856. Brevet Major
March 31 1858, Lieut.-Col. April 10 1863.
From Royal Montreal Cavalry. Appointed
Commander of Field Artillery and Foot
Artillery of Montreal, Dec. II 1856. Retired
with rank Aug. 10 1866.
Henry Bulmer, 2nd Lieut. Nov. 14 1855, 1st Lieut.
Feb. 15 1856, Capt. July 3 1856. Removed to
Vol. Foot Artillery Dec. II 1856. Placed
on unattached list April 2 1857.
J. Owen, ist Lieut. Sept. 27 1855. Resigned Dec.
15 1856.
A. Lamontagne, ist Lieut. Sept. 27 1855. Resigned
Nov. 14 1855.
A. A. Stevenson, 2nd Lieut. July 3 1856, ist Lieut.
Dec. 15 1856, Captain April 2 1857, Major,
Jan. 22 1862. Lieut.-Col., March 15 1867.
Retired retaining rank April 24 1891.
Wm. Masterman, ist Lieut., Dec. II 1856. Retired
with rank, March 31 1858
Wm. Robb, Lieut. Dec. n 1856. Resigned July
9 1858.
Wm. Aylmer, 2nd Lieut. April 2 1857, ist Lieut.
March 31 1858. Placed on unattached list
Aug. 8 1860.
Win. McGibbon, 2nd Lieut. March 31 1858, ist
Lieut. July 9 1858, Major April 23 1867, Lieut.-
Col. April 23 1872. Retired with Rank,
July 28 1882.
Jos Bowden, 2nd Lieut. July 9 1858. ist Lieut.
Aug. 8 1860. Resigned Oct. 31 1867.
T. W. Boyd, 2nd Lieut. Aug. 8 1860, ist Lieut.
Feb. i 1867. Retired with rank July 6 1877.
Geo. E. Femvick, Surgeon Nov. 14 1855. Surgeon-
Major Aug. 22 1879. Deceased.
Henry Chapman, Paymaster Jan. 31 1862. Hailed
to re-enroll.
Duncan McEachran, Veterinary Surgeon, June 22
1877. Resigned Aug. 27 1886.
W. R. Oswald, ist Lieut. June 22 1877. Brev.
Capt March 21 1878. Brev. Major June 3
1881. Appointed Lieut.-Col. Montreal Gar
rison Artillery June 24 1881.
E. G. Green, 2nd Lieut. June 22 1877. ist Lieut.
Aug. 5 1881, Capt. Aug. 13 1883. From
Toronto Field Battery. Deceased.
J. S. Hall, 2nd Lieut. Aug. 5 1881. ist Lieut. May
29 1885. Capt. Aug. 27 1886. Major April
24 1891. Retired retaining rank Feb. 9 1895.
George R. Hooper, 2nd Lieut. May 29 1885. 1st
Lieut. Aug. 27 1886. Capt. April 24 1891.
Major Feb. 9 1895. Transferred to Artillery
Reserve of Officers Feb. 27 1897.
Chas. McEachran, Vet. Surgeon, Aug. 27 1886.
H. H. Hogan, 2nd Lieut. April 6 1888. Left limits
July 31 1890.
R. Costigan, 2nd Lieut. July 31 1890. ist Lieut.
April 24 1891. Capt. Feb. 9 1895. Major
Feb. 27 1897.
J. A. Benyon, 2nd Lieut. June 26 1891. Transferred
to B Battery, R. C. A. Oct. 13 1893.
C. W. Wilson, Surgeon Major, March 9 1895.
F. B. Wilson, ist Lieut. May i6th 1896. Trans
ferred A. R. of O. Oct. 20 1896.
Donald A. Smith, 2nd Lieut. May 16 1896, ist Lieut.
Feb. 5 1897. Capt. May 16 1898.
A. T. Ogilvie, 2nd Lieut. Dec 23 1896. Capt. Feb.
27 1897. From 3rd Victoria Rifles. Trans
ferred to R. C. A.
F. A. Crathern, 2nd Lieut. May 28 1897, ist Lieut.
Sept. 27 1898.
E- T. Bartlett, 2nd Lieut. May 16 1898 Left limits
July 15 1898.
George W. Stephens, Jr. 2nd Lieut. May 16 1898.
ist Lieut. Sept. 27 1898.
81
ROLL OF HONOUR.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THOSE WHO, BY THEIR GENEROUS SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR
HISTORY FUND, HAVE SHOWN THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE
MONTREAL FIELD BATTERY.
Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal
Bank of Montreal
Merchants Bank of Canada
W. W. Ogilvie
Hamilton Powder Co.
Warden King & Son
1 hos. Robertson & Co.
Consumers Cordage Co.
Colin McArthur & Co.
The Bell Telephone Co.
D. Morrice, Sons & Co.
Wm. Dow & Co.
Hon. L. J. Eorget
Hir.nn Walker & Sons, Limited
L. Limited
|?. Reid
I. McDonald
. he-Mojson s Bank
Royal Llectric Co.
(The Cjpiadian Bank of Commerce
M)uebec Bank
.h;i Banque Ville-Marie
Standard Life Assurance Co.
Raymond Prefontaine
!!. & A. Allan
J. & T. Bell
The Bank of Xova Scotia
The St. Lawrence Sugar Ref. Co.
B. Hal Brown
R. S. White
R. B. Angus
I )awes & Co.
The Watson- Foster Co, Ltd.
Shaw, Cassils & Co.
John Murphy & ->.
Geoffrion, Dorion & Allan
Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.
H. R. Ives & Co.
II. S. Holt
Aquin & Itzweire
Dominion Wadding Co.
Hon. L. R. Masson
H. Shorey & Co.
Jacques Brais & Co.
Radnor Water ( o.
The R. Reford Co.
Dominion Cotton Mills Co.
Clarence J. McCu.iig
American Tobacco Co. of Canada
Capt. Alex. Robertson
Lvans .S: Sons
S. 1 1. Fwing
J. A. C. Madore, M. P.
R. Wilson-Smith
Robert Archer cc Co.
Montreal City & District Savings Bank
Hanson Bros.
S. Carsley
Corticelli Silk Co.
D. D. Mann
Win. Kearney
William Mann
Canadian Express Co.
H. Stanley Birkett, M. D.
The Thos. Davidson M f g. Co., Ltd.
The Robert Mitchell Co., Ltd.
Corbeil & Lev-elite
T. G. Roddick, M. D., M. P.
Felix Sauvageau
McCaskill, Dougall & Co.
Silverman, Boulter & Co.
W. G. Reid
The Montreal Rolling Mills Co.
Eugene F. Phillips Electrical Works
Amiot, Lecours & Lariviere
J. Rattray & Co.
Walter C. Hagar
Diamond Glass Co. Ltd.
|ohn Labatt
A. F. Gault
F". Tremblay
Peter Lyall
S. Davis & Sons
Belding, Paul & Co.
The \\ extern Loan & Trust Co.
W. C. Mclntyre
< i. A. Green
H. Hurtubise
Elder, Dempster & Co.
The Ames-Hotden Co.
The Investment Co.
Chard, Jackson & Co.
E. ( toff Penny, M. P.
Morton, Phillips & Co.
A. Kingman
The J. C. McLaren Belting Co.
F. Leonard 0%: Sons
II . J. Beemer
J- J". Ulley & Son
I. G. Mackenzie & Co.
< ;anh & ( o.
The Edward Cavanagh Co.
John A Bulmer & Co.
W. Strachan
IK. I aquette
John Hope & < <>.
82
Canadian Abestos Co.
The Canada Eng. & Litho Co.
loseph Decarie Eils
[ohn Lee & Son
The Fairbanks Co.
W. 1 lerbert Evans
Robert Mackay
E. A. Small & Co.
A. A. Ayer & Co.
John McDougall & Co.
Laporte, Martin 81 Co.
The Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada
Cyrille Laurin
Dominion Wire Mfg. Co.
Furness, Withey & Co.
[eyes Sanitary Compounds Co. of Can.
Ogdensburg Coal and Towing Co.
T. & R McLea
The Trust and Loan Co. of Canada
Pilkington Bros. Ltd.
Graham & Co.
R. [. Tooke
W. "O Brien
Hugh McLennan
The Granby Rubber Co.
Linotype Co.
H. B. Muir & Co.
The Abbey Effervescent Salt Co. Ltd.
Win. Rutherford
lames Johnston
G. N. Ducharme
Jas. Robinson
Capt. W. H. Benyon
The Standard Shirt Co. Ltd.
The Sanden Electric Co.
Bartlett Frazier of Ont. Co. Ltd.
Chas. Sheppard
Henry Bulmer
W. H. D. Young
Faucher & Eils
F. D. Monk, Q. C.
The Montreal Warehousing Co.
|. R. Thibaudeau
The Wiuhtman Spoiling Goods Co.
Joseph Riendeau
Nap. Charbonneau
tames Williamson
Owen N. Evans
W. J. White, O.C.
R. S Murchison
W. I lerbert Burroughs
J. B. Resther
M. Perranlt
( iagnon & Caron
H. Chas. Nelson
Antoine Robert
Macmaster & Maclennan
Beaudin, Cardinal. Loranger &
Germain
Win. Ewing
W. W. Robertson
John T. Bethune
Marcotte Bros.
Meredith B. Bethune
Renaud, King & Patterson
B. E. McGale
Dominion Bag Co.
Valmard Lamarche . ,
Marin & Morin
Jos. Yenne
L. (). Grothe
D. McCormick
W. Dangerfield
Henry Birks & Sons
Chas. Gurd & Co.
lames Harper
L. Cohen & Son
James Cochrane
lames Hutton & Co.
M. Honan
R. B. Hutchison
Charles Charland
J. M. Beausoleil
G. Marsolais
Chas. A. Barnard
C. Beausoleil
Arthur Gagnon
Geo. W. Sadler
C. Theoret
John McDougall
J. D. Couture
Major T. P. A. Des Trois-Maisons
H. B. Ames
H. B. Rainville
The Wilson Co y
Tas. Eveleigh & Co.
lames Robertson
F. F. Parkins
A. Turcotte
Fitzgibbon, Schafheitlin & Co.
William McLellan
P E. Leblanc
E. Barnard
Frank I. Hart
J. W. Pyke
E. S. Major
A. A. Thibaudeau
lean de Sieyes
Munderloh & Co.
Fred R. Alley
Jas. Hutchison
j. Cradock Simpson
Chas. Meridith
lean Tache & Co.
"W. J. Turpin & Co.
J. R. Meeker
Howard & Co.
Win. Mackinzie
Win. Weir ..K: Sons
Burnett & Co.
las. F. Burnett
C. K. Hosmer
R. Hickerdike
1. G. Grant
Jas. Perrigo, M. D.
Dork en Bros.
I. L. Leo
Louis Beaubien
Andrew Baile
Robert Craik, M. D.
Francis W. Campbell, M. D.
H. Joseph
H. H. Wolfe & Co.
A. Desjardins
Michel Lefebvre & Co.
Frs. Martineau
T. E. Robidoux
I. Palmer & Son
E. P. Lachapelle, M. D.
A. B. Cross
F. Buller, M. D.
Frederick G. Finley, M. D.
Fdmond Gohier
Jos. Brunei
Maj. R. J. Evans
lames Law
lames Stewart. M. I >.
A. D. Hlackader. M. T).
C. F. Gildersleeve
Colin Campbell
II. A. Ekers
Henry H. Lyman
I). W. Ross
A. S. Ewing
Stonewall Jackson Cigar Factory
McClaryMfg. Co.
J. D. Mantha, jr.
R. Hemsley
Major Zeph. Hebert
II. & S. H. Thompson & Co.
Thomas Ligget
Judson Anir-
J. I!. Rolland & Fils
Chas. Cassils
C. O. Beauchemin & Fils
1 1 . Yineberg & Co.
Patrick Kenny
Frank Panze
R. C. Jamieson
A. T. Higginson
Alex. McF ee
Henri Jonas & Co.
Garand, Terroux & Co.
Chas. P. Cousins
Maj. Walter H. Laurie
The Canadian Brewing Co.
Wm. F rancis
Hon. J. O. Villeneuve
Jas. A. Harte
Jas. Moore
David Campbell & Son
Wm. Meldrum
W. W. Craig
L. H. Hebert
A. G. McBean & Co.
las. Currie
A. I .eullac
las. Wilson
NY. K. Muir
John Carruthers & <>.
C. W. Wilson, M. D.
C. D. Mc.nl
Edouard Roy
J L. Palmef
1 1 Mullin
Henry S. Mussen
H. P. Labelle & Cie
A. Corbel 1
E. F". Craig
Cadieux & Derome
/
Ily. Archibald
( ). Dufresne, jr. & Frere
Thomas Davidson
A. G. Thompson
Lionel J. Smith
S. \V. Boyd
C. S. Campbell
Major \Y. W. Blaiklock
H. Fauteux
A. T. Paterson
D. K. McLaren
Walter Drake
George R. Prowse
lames M. Aird
George W. Reed & Co.
W. I . McLaurin
Montreal Lumber Co.
II. II. lirosseau & Co.
( iilmour, Schoefield & Co.
Chaput, Fils & Co.
Esmond I.. Clarke
Alex. Scott
Geo. \V. Lamb
T. 1!. Brown
Geo. S. Kimber
R. X. Tombyll
The Gilbert Blasting and Dredging Co.
Hon. [as. O Brien
K. X. lleney & Co.
J. \Vilson
Jos. Bonhomme
B. Ethier
R. Chartrand
K. Boissevain
C. O. Clark
W. D. McLaren
\V. R. Miller
A. Joyce
T. Henry Smith
J. R. Walker
Gaspard Deserres
Hon. J. Aid. Ouimet
T. A. Trenholme
Hon. |. K. Ward
D. A. McPherson
A. J. Brice
P>. 1 ansey
William Xivin
Hodgson Bros.
J. C. & G. D. Warrington
R. W. Sheppard
P. W. Mcl.agan
Alex. W. Grant
I :. ( . Mount & Co.
A. D. McGillis & Co.
^ . \\ . LeMessarier
Carter, Galbrailh & Co.
Fred. Fowler
las. Sutherland
1. 1. -Col. J. Ferrier
I). Hatton
A. Patenaude & Cie.
Yost & Co.
Brophy, Cains & Co.
Martin Freres S: Co.
lohn A. Pillow
R. G. Hood
Peter Reid & Sons
Alfred C. H. Frcemcke
Law, Young & Co
T. F. Riepert
NY. C. F. Lyman
Tas. Alexander
ff
|. R. Dougall
Letendre & Arsenault
I lolmes & Arpin
Albert Holmes
Leclaire & I5runeau
T. Simpson
G. G. Foster
A. T. Wiley & Co.
John Millen & Son
\V. B. Gilford
las. A. Ogilvy & Sons
Geo. P. Wait & Co.
Lt.-Col. H. J. Miller
lames Strachan
F. W. Radford
Taylor, Telfer & Co.
E. N. Cusson & Co.
Jos, Bonhomme
C. A. Cantin
Gibb & Co.
I.. I. A. Surveyer
T. Berthiaume
W. Graham
J. C Everett
N. Connelly
Theo. Lanctot
Arthur Dansereau
Higgins & Holland
Joseph Pont
[ames Thorn
Tees & Co.
Reliance Cigar Factory
S. L. Richard
Victor Lemay
Albert I). Nelson
Hanbury A. Budden
Geo. A. Sirnard
K. Giroux
I. Darley
N. H. Thibault
W. J. Potts
T. F. Morgan
Lucien Bernier
Lt.-Col. Frank Caverhill
P. McKenzie
British American Dyeing Co.
Villeneuve & Cie.
J. W. Bishop & Co.
William Robb
Geo. O Neill
Henri Dubois
Wm. Masterman
Wm. Wiseman
A. Ramsay
J. O. Gravel
A. S. & W. H. Masterman
R. Macfarlane
T. W. Peel
J. W. Hughes
Selkirk Cross Q. C.
Wm. McNally
Gordon A. Melville
E. A. Gerth
Hon. J. Wurtele
f. Benjamin Dagenais
E Lemire
Major J. L. Hittinger
Chas. Lavallee
J. A. Desjardins & Co.
Geo. Barratt
Laurent ian Baths
John Sharp
P. Elliott
G. Fauteux
F. A Chagnon
G. Armstrong & Co.
Rev. James Barclay
John Robertson & Son
Rev. C. Chiniquy
I. Marien
J. < ). Labrecque & Cie
C. . Salaberry
Walter Paul
F. L. Heique O. C.
k. T. Rnttaii, M. D.
J. W. Stirling, M. D.
Arthur A. Brown, M. D.
J. Alex. Hutchison, M. I).
Wm. Gardner, M. I).
P. A. Milloy
Robert Irwin
Geo. C. Nicholson
Geo. W. Gardner
Henry C. Scott
X. Tetrault, jr.
W. E. Decks, M. D.
J. McGregor Mowat
F. Ricketts
E. Gauthier
C. Robillard & Co.
Capt. John Lawrence.
N. Sorrenskey
Morris Michaels
H. E. Korden
She Cup that Cheers
is not always
Cup that Strengthens
BUT WITH
A CUP OF
\
\
ITAKEATEASPOO
TAiROFBOiuNt
FLU I BEEF
. BRAND
BOVRIL
BOVRILUMITED
.IT ...
IS SO.
BOVRIL
NOT ONLY STIMULATES THE MENTAL AND
BODILY ACTIVITY, BUT SUSTAINS AND
NOURISHES THE SYSTEM.
For sale by all
Druggists
and Grocers.
BOVRIL, Limited
27 ST. PETER STREET,
MONTREAL.
tj
>
i
GO
o
c/0
08
Pi
2
-
-S3
Q
ni
O
-4-J
c
2
o
H
5*
O
u
vG
H
II
IF
Ck
"tommy fltkins" Cigar
<e?
THE BEST THAT FIFTY
YEARS EXPERIENCE
CAN PRODUCE.
Made and
Guaranteed
S. DAVIS & SONS,
Largest Cigar manufacturers
in Canada.
r D
^J
in
TairbanKs Company
749 CRAIG STREET,
... MONTREAL.
HEADQUARTERS FOR . . .
F
A
I
R
B
A
N
K
S
STANDARD SCALES
ASBESTOS DISK VALVES .
ASBESTOS PACKED COCKS
TRUCKS AND HAND CARS
PORTABLE FORGES
FACTORY AND MILL SUPPLIES
SCALE REPAIRING .
All Scales made in conformity
with CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS
and shipped inspected
Fairbanks Standard Scales.
the Sun
Lire ylssurance Uombanu
of Canada.
Head Off ice, MONTREAL.
R. MACAULAY, President: HON. A. W. OGILVIE,
Vice-President : T. B. MACAULAY, F.I. A.,
Secretary and Actuary.
AGENCY DEPARTMENT;
JAMES C. TORY. Superintendent.
J. MACDONALD OXLEY, 1 Managers
O. LEGER - - J Montreal District.
| HE SUN OF CANADA issues a very attract
ive policy contract, free from conditions
and restrictions as to military service. The
policy is indisputable from date of issue and
nonforfeitable after it has been two years
in force
The OFFICERS and MEN of THE CANADIAN MILITIA are respectfully
requested to read the following testimonial regarding
From R. & H. B. KIRKWOOD,
Jewellers and Silversmiths, Tradesmen by Appointment to the
Royal Highlanders, The Duke of Albany s Seaforth High
landers, The Queen s Own Cameron Highlanders, The Gordon
Highlanders.
66 & 68 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, N.B.
Gentlemen, 18th SMarch, 1898.
BOND S SOAP -BIG BEE BRAND.
We have tried this soap on numerous articles, both silver
and brass, in most cases 1>ery heavily tarnished, and vje
found the effect highly satisfactory and the tarnish, holfe ber
bad, immediately removed.
We consider this soap a most Valuable medium for clean
ing and polishing articles such as le have experimented upon,
military accoutrements, etc., etc.
To Messrs. Bond s Soap Co., Ltd.
Salford, Manchester.
R. & H. B. KIRKWOOD.
BOND S
SOAP
For Sale by the
RETAIL
TRADE
Everywhere.
IV
HAMILTON -
POWDER
COMPANY
MANUFACTURERS
OF .
INCORP-
ORATED
1861.
DYNAMITE
DUALIN
AND OTHER FORMS OF...
HIGH EXPLOSIVES
AND OF-
SPORTING,
MILITARY
BLASTING
GUNPOWDER
OF
ALL
KINDS.
THE ARTILLERISTS AND SPORTSMEN
OF THE DOMINION, WHO HAVE USED
THE HAMILTON POWDER FOR SO
M ^XY YEARS NEEDNORECOMMEND-
ATION OF ITS QUALITY.
HPPIPF MONTRFAI
\J I 1^>L,
-.ucir-cc \\ir-i M \ r~ \71MCQ
BRANCH OHF1CES AND MAGAZINES
AT PRINCIPAL CANADIAN POINTS.
Colin JtfcjtfrtJiur $ Co.
Sltontreal
"Wall gaper
factory
4
4
f
/030 Vo^re flame S?.,
MONTREAL
Consumers Cordage Company,
MONTREAL.
Manufacturers of
Rope and Binder twine
Made only from pure and strongest fibres by expert and experienced operatives.
Every Coil and Ball Warranted.
HAY, HIDE and
BALING ROPE,
CHEESE and
PAPER CORD,
LATH and
SHINGLE YARN,
HEMP and
JUTE PACKING,
PLOUGH LINES,
CLOTHES LINES,
WRAPPING TWINES.
* * * tarred Kidding of all Hinds. * * *
"F1RMUS" Transmission Rope of finest selected Manila. Binder Twine that runs the harvester all day without a stop.
VI
FOR.
UP-TO-DATE . . .
s
TEL., MAIN 554.
furnishings
GIVE US
A CALL. G
.D
R A I S 263 ST JAMES ST.
J
Che Robcrval
Mecca of flnglers $ tourists
Bv the northern Inland Sea.
IS Magnificent and Modern Hostelry stands on the very shore
of Lake St. John, the great inland sea north of Quebec, and is
equipped with all up-to-date improvements and conveniences. It
is the headquarters of anglers in the waters where swims the peer
less ouananiche, and controls the best fishing grounds in this region for this
great game fish as well as for trout, pike, whitefish, etc. All of these
waters are thrown open FREE to guests of the Hotel, where guides and
equipment are furnished.
Cbc Island Rouse
Is run in connection with Che ROberoal and is situated at the Grand Dis
charge. The salubrious climate and other advantages of Lake St. John
make Che RObefval a favorite health and summer resort. CHARGES
REASONABLE.
For further information in reference to THE ROBERVAL or ISLAND Hoi SE.
apply to ii. (;. KIJK.WliK. A/nng-or,
Before June 1st. Quebec. "The Koberval." Roberval, P.Q. After June Nt .
VII
Standard
<ife Assurance
Company
KataltUshetl
Total Assets, $43. 000, 000
Assurance in force, 117,000,000
Investments inCanada, 14,000,000
5pecial rates to Military and Naval Officers, covering
whole world residences and War risks.
Endowment, Limited Payment, All Life and Family
.... Trust Policies ....
HEAD OFFICE FOR CANADA:
157 St. James St., MONTREAL.
W. M. RAMSAY,
MANAGER
J. MUTTON BALFOUR,
SECRETARY
E, H. BROWN, INSP. ENGLISH DEPT,
E CHAMPAGNE, INSP. FRENCH DEPT
Che * *
Investment
Company
HON. A. W. OGILVIE,
W. L. HOGG,
Capital :
p. o. BOX 557
TELEPHONE
MAIN 782
47 St. Francois Xatier Street,
MONTREAL.
Condon and Lancashire
Cifc *
. . . 1897 . . .
Invested Funds Interest Overdue Only
$6,280,000 $2,005
A Record Without a Parallel.
THE first consideration of every Insurer OUGHT to be the
solidity of the Institution to which he intrusts the duty
of providing: for his old age or for his dear ones in case of
early death.
The facts quoted above eloquently attest the care with
which the funds of the Company are invested.
Che Rt. Ron. Cord Stratbcona and mount Royal
B. HAL. BROWN, Gen. Man.
J. L. KERR, Asst. Man.
cA. STEVENS ^BROWN, Ontario Inspector, Gait.
Edwin Hanson.
William Hanson.
Hanson 5$ros.
Investment and
Bond Brokers.
TJIRST-CLASS securities suitable for
Insurance Companies, Banks, Trus
tees and Private Investment bought and
sold.
Canada Life Building,
MONTREAL.
VIII
Fit,
Style
Service
Are the prominent features
of our . . .
Tine
footwear
The Ames Holden Co.
Of Montreal, Limited
Warehouses at
St. John, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg,
Vancouver and Victoria.
YOfel KN0W
Q ran by
Rubbers
ARE THE BEST oe
THE
. . . TRY US FOR . . .
Electric
. . . SUPPLY . . .
Electric Current for .
Power, Light, Heat,
every HOUR.
of every D A V
in the YEAR
furniture,
Shedding and
^Upholstery
Work.
Renaud, K.i n g & Patterson
652 CRAIG STREET
P.S. We furnish
CHAIRS AND TABLES
for entertainments.
IX
> Drink . .
RADNOR
EMPRESS
TABLE
WATERS
. . . mixes with anything
Sou at all-
Leading Clubs, Restaurants, Grocers,
CHILDREN "LOVE"
JUNKET
A fact appreciated by mothers who recognize in it the
ideal nourisher as well as tempter.
Of all light family foods none is prepared in less time,
with less heat, with less trouble or at less cost than Jun
ket, made with
HANSEN S JUNKET TABLETS
A quart of milk, a little fruit juice or flavoring, colored,
if preferred, with one of Hansen s Pure food Colors, and
just one Junket Tablet form the ingredients.
Sold by Grocers and Druggists in packets of 10 tabletsat isc.
Booklet of recipes accompanies. .
EVANS & SONS, Limited, - Montreal and Toronto.
ROBERT MITCHELL CO.,
(LIMITED)
MANUFACTURERS
5 on
OF -..
BRASS
\5 Pictoria Square,
GOODS
manufacturers
Clients
FOR PLUMBERS,
GAS AND
STEAM-FITTERS
GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT
FIXTURES, ETC.
Dry
(Boobs.
x
table pittings, peed 3oxes, H a J
U) rough t
a " d Cast Iron
Stall
Divisions.
SB
Brass pitching Rings.
%
Estimates given for
Complete Fixtures
for Stables.
WARDEN KING & SON, 637 Craig St., Montreal.
Best Wormanship
AND
Latest Designs
... IN ...
O-CKKXX> O<XXXX>OOOOO<XKX>OO-O<XXX> OOO-OO-O
DESKS
<XXXXX><>O<><K>OCKXXXX><><>OO<XXXX>OO<XXXX>
TEES & CO.
Furniture
UNDERTAKERS AND
EMBALMERS
3OO SX. JAMBS
jt. jt, jt,
A.T.VlLEY&Go.
IMPORTERS
Tine China,
Hrt Pottery,
Cut Glass
SPECIALTIES :
, tub. Restaurant,
. nboat, and Hospital
plies
WEDDING AND PRESENTATION GOODS
2375 St. Catherine Street,
MONTREAL.
XI
THOS. ROBERTSON & CO.
LIMITED
Plumbers 1 , Steamfitters and
Boiler Makers Supplies .
ROLL RIM CAST IRON ENAMELLED BATH
>
"THE DIANA"
OFFICE AXI> SAMPI.ETROOM
STORES AND LEAD PIPE FACTORY
638, 640 ^ 642 Craig St. Cor. Common ^ Colborne Sts.
Montreal.
XII
. . Established 1859 . .
H. R. IVES&CCX
MANUFACTURERS
OF...
Brass and Iron
LETTER PRESSES,
HARDWARE,
IRON FENCING, STAIRS,
ETC., ETC., ETC.
Queen Street * Montreal.
Silver plated knives, forks and
spoons bearing this mark
are warranted to be the best of
silverplate and to last as long
as silver plated ware can last.
Simpson, Ran, millers Co.,
Ulallingford, Conn., U.S.H.
and Montreal, Canada,
whose trade mark it is for this
class of goods, place their sur
plus of over $500,000.00 behind
this guarantee.
It s worth the consideration
of purchasers of plate.
1794 nctrc Dame St. Montreal.
Che <
Standard Shirt Co.
Limited
Manufacturers of ...
SHIRTS,
COLLARS,
ETC.
MONTREAL.
Bell Telephone 8426.
Merchants Tel. 628
F. TREMBLAY
Planing and
Saw mills
Manufacturers of ...
Doors, Sashes and Blinds,
mouldings, etc.,
Turning;, Shaping and Joiners Work
of every description.
400 WILLIAM ST.
MONTREAL.
XIII
5P
fff Mil f : <?L 1 !H! ! ,f s
Che Oxford
Opposite Christ
Church Cathe
dral, and within
a block of the
leading jewellery and np-town dry goods stores. Close to the
Academy of Music and the Queen * "Theatre, The best appointed
restaurant in Canada. Can be reached by all Hues of the elec
tric car service.
Meals a la carte until midnight. Separate dining-rooms
tor ladies. Table Wines a specialty.
THE OXFORD CAFE, 36, 38 & 40 University Street,
McCaskill, Dougall & Co.
Manufacturers o/
Standard
RAILWAY . .
CARRIAGE . .
PIANO . famishes
Also
ZANZERINE,"
House, School and
Church Varnishes
OFFICE :
30 St. John Street
Montreal.
Factory and Warehouses :
CORNER MANUFACTURERS, D ARGENSON
and ST. PATRICK STREETS, Canal Bank.
Amiot, Lecours
& Lariviere
Hardware
Merchants
Specially
Contractors Supplies . . .
St. Lawrence Street
Montreal, Q
! ue.
Merchants, J83.
Q
Fire Bricks and Fire Clay
English, Scotch and American.
Boiler Seating Blocks
Gas Retorts
Sto^e Linings and Grate Backs
Drain Pipes and Connections
Farm Tiles
Portland Cements
English, Belgian, German, American
and Canadian.
Builders and Contractors Supplies
F. HYDE & CO.
OFFICE . . .
31 WELLINGTON ST.
Yards . ^MONTREAL.
KING, QUEEN and
WELLINGTON STREETS.
XIV
Jiattray & Co.,
A//
and ^/Ova
a, c
j/.TD/iar/ci
- J/t<eff,
Merchants Telephone
1531.
Bell Telephone,
East 1425.
Manufacturers
of...
DOORS,
SASHES,
Etc.
^V.B. Al<ways on hand a. large
assortment of mouldings of all kinds.
PAPINEAU ROAD
13 and \5 Josephat Lane
MONTREAL
DIAMONDS
\ A /E are in a position to give a spe
cial value in Diamonds. Our
stones are personally selected in Eu
rope, bought for cash, mounted in our
own factory, and sold at the lowest
margin of profit.
R. HEMSLEY
255 ^ 257 St. James Street
1915 Notre Dame Street
MONTREAL
Established 28 Years.
The ALE
and STOUT
JOHN
LABATT
are undoubtedly
LONDON,
Che Best
PURE, WHOLESOME,
and SOUND BEVERAGES.
Sold
Everywhere.
xv
VATSSN S
(JNDCC
WHISKY
popular all over
the world.
GIVE
IT A
TRIAL.
ESTABLISHED 1856
THE -
J. C. McLaren Belting
MANUFACTURERS
"Extra t Oak-tanned Leather Belting,
"Thistle" brand Rubber Belting,
General Mill Supplies.
FACTORY, MONTREAL
292, 294 and 296 ST. JAMES STREET
Toronto Office, 69 Bay Street.
E. LEONARD & SONS
International Registration
ONLY $3.00 A YEAR.
engines, Boilers,
fieaters,
Steam Pumps
COMPLETE OUTFITS FOR ALL DUTIES.
HIGHEST ECONOMY AND PERFECT REGULATION.
CORNER
Common and Jfazareth Streets,
MONTREAL.
The Annual Registration Fee includes the Premium to the
Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation,
LTD.,
OF LONDON, ENGLAND
Capital - $1,000.000
Special Accident and Disease Policy,
under contract with this Company, for $1500 in case of death
sustained by accident while riding in any conveyance or vehicle
propelled by steam, electricity, cable or horse-power, and a
weekly indemnity of $15. for not exceeding ten wteks, in case
of disability from accidents sustained while riding as above,
while cycling or suffering from typhoid, typhus, scarlet fever
or small pox, as explained in policy. Under Plan "A," the
annual fee of gi.op for registration includes the premium for a
policy for $500.00 in case of death resulting from accident sus
tained as above specified, and a weekly indemnity of 6. for
not exceeding five weeks in case of disability from accidents
or diseases mentioned above. Hy paying an extra annual
premium of $2, you secure in addition to plan A " or " B " the
benefits of being registered at the offices of this Company in
London, Paris and other European cities, where we have offices
or representatives.
MANY OTHER BENEFITS.
}~m particulars call on <- u/rite to
HECTOR HURTUBISE. General Agent,
204 ST. JAMES STREET, MONTREAL.
XVI
B. LEDOUX & CO.
Carriage
England s ^oyal Family and also for H. R. H.
^Princess Louise and fits Excellency the Mar
quis of Lome, Countess of Derby and
Lord Earl of Derby, Governor
General of Canada.
on hand
LATEST DESIGNS in
CARRIAGES and SLEIGHS.
J\ Call Solicited.
93 Osborne St., Montreal.
everything m me Stationery nine
morton, Phillips & Co.
Stationers,
Blank Book UTakcrs
ty printers,
\755 anb \757 Hotre Dame Street,
ZHontreal.
Cable Codes,
Commercial Books.
C. 0. SSeauchemin & 31 Is
Booksellers and Publishers,
Printers and Bookbinders,
256St.Pau.Strm, MoNTREAL .
Publishers of the renowned . . .
Larousse s Trench Uictionar
WITH SUPPLEMENT OF ...
Canadian Oeograpny and
Diogragny. * * ^
J.J. ULLEY&SON
564 Craig St, MONTREAL, Canada.
Montreal
ttlirc
The best companion book of all who study, read or
write the French language.
Large 121110 volume, 1,200 pages, 5,000 articles devoted
to Canada, numerous engravings, maps, etc.
Price,
Bound 75 cents.
ESTABLISHED 183O
BELL TEL. MAIN 2167
Architectural and Ornamental Wrought Iron Fencing
and Grilles, Store Front Guards, Elevator Guards, Interior
and Exterior Folding Gates, Safe Deposit and Burglar-
Proof Vault Guards, Office Railings, Bank Railings, Iron
and Steel Gates, Railroad Guards, Hatchway Guards,
Fencing and Drive-way Gates, Window and Fanlight
Grilles, also all kinds of Animal and Bird Cages.
AfaiutfactHrcrs , ^Irc/iitcds and Engiiiceis OICH
designs carefully t .vccutcd in Hrass, Copper, Annealed
Steel or Iron, ll ire, /!<irs or l\ods.
Estimates and designs furnished for special II "ire
Work for Churches, Public Halls, Offices, &c.
We guarantee quality of material and workman
ship to be unc.vcelled.
XVII
ESTABLISHED 1871
The
= Central dumber tyrd
Corner Dorchester
and St. Charles-Borrommee Streets.
Mahogany, Quartered Oak, Quartered Sycamore,
Walnut, Cherry,
and all Hardwoods, Fancy Woods, Etc.
Kiln-Dried maple flooring
PINE, SPRUCE, HEMLOCK
LATH and SHINGLES. J*
DIMENSION TIMBER CUT TO ORDER.
a s r 5cU of DRESSED LUMBER Of all kinds.
All orders by mail promptly filled with special care.
JOHN A. BULMER & CO,
MONTREAL.
STRACHAN S-
Gilt dge 5oap
GILT EDGE SOAP is a. household foord
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. While it
is recognized as the best Laundry Soap offered
to the public, ive give av>ay premiums, hand
somer and more useful than any other manufac
turers in Canada. The next time you ivant a soap
that foill give you satisfaction ask your grocer for
one of our thirty-t wo page premium books. We
give everything from a sheet of music to a high-
grade piano by returning to us a certain number of
soap Wrappers. Besides Pianos 1e give in pre
miums Bicycles, Seeing Machines, Art Sifber-
ivare, Travelling Bags, Books, etc., etc.
We do not palm off anything of a trashy nature
and you will find that it will pay you to exchange ^
GILT EDGE WRAPPERS for some of our at-
tractive and useful articles
WM. STRACHAN & CO.,
28-40 St. Timothee Street.
/"*> l O1 P* 1 1 /^
Gilmoar, Schokld <^ Co.
DRY GOODS JOBBERS
WE INVITE ALL MERCHANTS WHO ARE IN A
POSITION TO PAY CASH TO VISIT OUR STORE.
This business foas established to protect the man
who can take his cash discounts.
WE CLAIM WE CAN SAVE YOU FROM 10 TO 25 PER CENT.
AND THESE ARE OUR REASONS:
TAYLOR.TELFER&CQ.
manufacturers and Contractors
DEALERS IN
ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
We sell 011 short dates.
We make no bad debts.
We never buy ahead.
We continually hunt for bar-
gai
We gi
bet
We ne
/e our customers the
efit
er buv from the first
\Ve buy by comparison.
We thoroughly know onr
business.
We do all our own buying.
\\~L- make no bad stock
We mind our own business
In buying we keep our coun
cil.
TELEPHONES,
FIRE AND
BURGLAR
ALARM SYSTEMS.
We keep the expenses down.
The secret of success : Know where to buy.
COME AND SEE US
Never mind if you are not in a position to buy, the day may
come when you will be free.
Respectfully,
GILMOUR, SCHOFIELD & CO.
364 St. Paul Street, MONTREAL.
Personal Attention Given to Repair
Work of all kinds. ~
ESTIMATES FURNISHED.
44 "Bfeuru Street,
TELEPHONES :
BEI_I_ MAIN 1123
MERCHANTS- 61O
Montreal,
XVIII
CoteauSt-PierreS^ 11 ^ 11 " 011 " 1180
Tel. Marchands 1304
Joseph Decarie, Fils
Manufacturier de
Briques
et Entrepreneur
P. O. BOX 55.
VILLE DE ST-HENRI.
REMOVABLE,
TEL. MAIN 611.
Steam Pipe and Boiler Coverings,
Paper Mill Board
Stove Linings and Fibre .
Steam Packings ......
Asbestic .
Wa.ll
Plaster and
Roofing.
Canadian c/^sbestos Company
Corner of St. Peter and foundling Sts.
MONTREAL.
BELL TEL/MAIN 1499. MERCHANTS TEL. 846.
31. <S?cttenaude & Co.
DEALERS IN ...
Coal and *Wood
Bay, Oats, Grain of all kinds.
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
36O CRAIG STREET
OPPOSITE VIGER SQUARE
MONTREAL.
"Uhe Oldest / Vhe fiest /
Celebrated <&*^3$*^2&t
Cook s friend
taking Powder
The exact name "COOK S FRIEND" and no other
is genuine.
Purest materials, properly balanced and carefully
compounded, have placed the Cook s Friend
in the front rank and keep it there.
All the best Grocers keep Cook s Friend in stock.
the Canada engraving
and Citbograpbing Co y
CAPITAL, $150,000
IN ALL ITS
BRANCHES
Stock Certificates, Bonds
and Loan Documents.
5,7, 9, 11, Bleary Street,
MONTREAL.
UNION CARD AND PAPER Go.
Glazed, Enameiiefl, Littio. and Coated Papers
CardDoards and Playing Cams
Colored cjilnas and Tickei Boards . . . .
No. 8 LATOUR STREET,
.MONTREAL.
LUNCH
FROM 12. 3O A.M. TO 3 P.M.
PHONm MAIN 2889
WM. O BRIEN
PROP.
O Brien s
Cafe
Choice Wi
nes,
luors
an
d Ci
gars.
80 St. James St.
MONTREAL.
HIGH GRADE CIGARS
9
ASK FOR_
Reliance
PACKING . . . .
BOX
MANUFACTURERS
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING
CHOICE AND RELIABLE.
umbcr ITIercfyants
i NOTHING
TO EQUAL
THEM.
BELL TELEPHONE 8415
RELIANCE CIGAR FACTORY
62 MCGILL. STREET, MONTREAL.
231 CHATHAM STREET,
MONTREAL.
XX
ROOFING:
"Our Work
Survives.
. . . AND
ASPHALTING
Sheet metal lllork, J- metal Skylights,
Roofing materials, Building Papers.
Cement Cubs,
flsphalt, Cement, and Cile Ulcrk.
Canadian Agents
^BOSTON SLOWER CO.
Hot Blast Heating
s" d ck
George 0). Reed $ Co,
C. T. WILLIAMS, Proprietor.
7$s Craig $t. ... montreal.
John
men s furnishings
QUALITY HIGH! PRICES LOW!
Cte$, Xcw alld ">" prices, 15, J5. ;5. 50 and up.
, X(nv styles and Best makes, prices, 5, 15, 20 and 25.
, Strong and durable, at 25, 35, 50. 60, 75 and si.oo pair.
For walking or driving at 75. 51 oo. 51.25, 1.50. <2-2$ pr.
A1 > kinds at a " P"ces.
Large and Roomy at 50, 75 and 51.00 each.
MILITARY BRUSHES,
HAIR BRUSHES, SHAVING BRUSHES^
TOOTH BRUSHES,
LEATHER GOODS, Etc., Etc,
de Co.,
2343 St. Catherine St.,
TELEPHONE UP 933.
Corner Metca/fe.
TERMS CASH.
. . Hoi] telephone 84is . .
filbert Bolmes
Wholesale
Manufacturer of
Gas t Electric and
Combination Gasaliers and
Brass Work,
Write for my prices . . .
* * they arc the Lowest.
251 Chatham $t. . Montreal*
ALLAN LINE
Royal mail Steamship Cc y.
ESTABLISHED 1854.
The Company s fleet consists of 34 Steamers aggregating
134,937 Tons.
TUNISIAN
CASTILIAN
10,000 Tons i
8,000 "
Steamers sail weekly from Montreal during the season of
navigation to Liverpool, London, and Gla-g<iw, also distinct
services from Xew York, Boston and Pniladclphia to Glasgow.
The vessels are provided with evet y known device to secure
Safety which has always been considered as of first import
ance by the management. The Passenger Steamers are all
modern and care has been taken to insure the comfort of all
the passengers. To promote this end, the entire passenger
accommodation is lighted with the incandescent electric light.
The saloons and staterooms are near the centre of the ship,
promenade deck the whole width and 150 feet long, Smok
ing rooms, Music rooms, etc. , etc.
Special attention has been given to the ventilation and
sanitary arrangements.
An experienced Surgeon is carried on all the Passenger
Steamers. Rates of passage lower than by most first-class lines.
Circular giving rates and sailings on application to any
Agent or
H. & A. ALLAN,
MONTREAL.
XXI
* BUGLE
BRAND
Is what all Soldiers
Should Drink .
See
You get
Them.
OLD SCOTCH WHISKY
OLD TOM GIN
UNSWEETENED GIN
BASS ALE
GUINNESS STOUT
* * Chev are the Best.
J. & R. McLEA, Agents
^^23 COMMON ST.
1O5 MEDALS AWARDED
...... By Special Royal Warrant to ......
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN H.R.H. The Prince of Wales.
"J EYES
FLUID
THE STANDARD DISINFECTANT,
NON-POISONOUS
COL. McKiNNON. Secretary of the NATIONAL RIFLE
ASSOCIATION, writes :
1 7 am desired by the Committee to inform you that they are
quite satisfied with the manner in which you carried out the disin
fection of Bisley Camp, dunng the last and previous years, and
will gladly entrust the work to you this year.
SAMPLES ON APPLICATION.
Jeyes Oanitary Compounds Co.
oy Canada,
30 Hospital Street, * jt MONTREAL.
5taqdard
mineral waters
Joltustou s Clarets
Sandemao Ports and Slpies
IMieBrizani Hop s Lipurs
BoucfianTs Burgundies
KOCH. LautereO line Wines.
\F you wish to shoot well,
see that your eyes are
in perfect condition.
Many persons think that they have per
fect sight when they might have more
distinct vision.
GEO. BARRAT
PRACTICAL OPTICIAN
2365 St. Catherine Street
A Full Line of
Optical Goods
also . .
Cameras
and . .
Photographic
Supplies.
Developing ;md
Printing done on
reasonable terms.
Catalogues Tree.
MONTREAL
XXII
AQUIN & ITZWEIRE
Manufacturers of
Sash, Doors and Mouldings
Turning, Carving, Etc.
PLANING AND
SAW MILL.
Corner Vinet and Tracy Streets
-^^_Sr. CUNE60NDE.
PHONES] 8 " 8 2 ,,
I Merchants 1249.
"Rodgers"
Cutlery
HAS NO
KOUAL
PLEASE SEE
THAT THIS
EXACT
MARK
IS ON EACH
BLADE.
SOLE AGENTS FOR
CANADA
James Hutton & Co.
15 ST. HELEN STREET,
.MONTREAL.
Swimm
Turkish
Laurentian Baths,
Cor. Craig and Beaudry Sts.
.MONTREAL.
LADIES .
Monday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon.
ENJOY
YOUR
By wearing one of
Slioieirs Rigtm Waiepol Bicycle
u Coll
They admit the air but keep out
the rain. The feeling, appearance, or
porous properties of ordinary tweed are
not changed by RIGBY. It simply
renders goods repellent to water, yet the
cost is not increased.
XXIII
Perrin s Gloves
For LADIES
GENTLEMEN |$|
and CHILDREN
If you need a pair of Stylish
and durable Gloves
Ask
ZPerrin s Stoves
\
They are
the
Best
THE MOLSONS BANK
HEAD OFFICE, - MONTREAL.
Paid up Capital, - $2,000,000 00
Rest Fund, $1,500,000 00
Reserve for Rebate on Current Discounts, $80,000 00
Profit and Loss Account, - $26,82968 $1,606,82968
Board of Directors :
WM. MOLSON MACPHERSON, President.
S. H. EWING. Vice-President.
W, M. RAMSAY. SAMUEL F1NLEY.
HENRY ARCHBALD. J. P. CLEGHORN.
H. MARKLAND MOLSON.
F. WOLFERSTAN THOMAS. General Manager.
A. D. DURNFORD. Inspector. ^ W^OHIPMAN, \ Asst - Insp
Collections made in all Parts of the Dominion
and returns promptly remitted at Lowest Rates
of exchange.
Commercial Letters of Credit and Travellers 1 Circular Letters
Issued, Available in all Parts of the World.
BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
(Incorporated J832)
Capital, - - - , $1,500,000.00
Resew and Undivided Profits, $1,626,634.20
LIST OF OFFICES
nova Scotia
new Brunswick
Ontario
Amherst,
Campbellton,
Toronto.
Annapolis,
Chatham,
West Indies
Bridgetown,
Digby,
Fredericton,
Moncton,
Kingston, Jamaica
Halifax,
Newcastle,
Prince Cdward i$ d
Kentville.
St. Andrews,
Charlottetown,
Liverpool,
St. John,
Summerside.
New Glasgow,
St. Stephen,
newfoundland
North Sydney,
Sussex,
Oxford,
Woodstock.
St. John s,
Plctou,
Harbor Grace.
Stellarton.
Quebec
United States
Westville,
Montreal,
Chicago, III.
Yarmouth.
Paspebiac.
Calais, Me.
?The Robert 31 e ford Co.
Limited,
Steamship J^gents
a!> Commission 77/erchants
23 and 25
ST. SACRAMENT ST.
Montreal.
AGENTS FOR . .
Donaldson Line for Glasgow,
Thomson Line for London, Leith, etc.
Tickford & Black Line for the West
Indies,
Cory Line for Cardiff.
XXIV
Montreal City and District
Savings Bank
Established 1S46
Capital Subscribed
Capital Paid up
Reserve
Undivided Profits
$2,000,000.00
600,000.00
400,000.00
193,000.00
Hon. Sir William Hingston, President.
Henri Barbeau, - - Manager.
Head Office,
176 ST. JAMES ST.
BRANCH OFFICES
656 NOTRE DAME EAST
2312 NOTRE DAME WEST
1232 ST. CATHERINE ST.
COR. GRAND TRUNK *ND SHEARER ST.
The Bank s Act of Incorporation is so framed as to afford all
possible protection to Depositors including women and minors.
Iv* Alley & do.
REAL
ESTATE
INVESTMENT
AND . . .
FINANCIAL
AGENTS.
JJ6 ST. JAMES STREET,
Telephone,
Main J25I.
cMONTREAL.
GARTH&CO.
MANUFACTURERS
PLUMBERS
^ STEAMFITTERS
Porcelain $ enamelled
Iron Batbs * * *
BATH TRIMMINGS.
GAS #> ELECTRIC FIXTURES
536 to 542 Craig St. MONTREAL.
eugcncf. Phillips
EUGENE F.
PHILLIPS,
President.
JOHN CARROLL,
Sec. and Treas.
electrical Works
(LIMITED)
MONTREAL, Canada.
Bare and Insulated Electric Wire
Electric Light Line Wire
Incandescent and Flexible Cords
Railway Feeder and Trolley Wire
American/te. Magnet. Office and
Annunciator Wires
Cables for Aerial and Underground Use.
U. S. FACTORY :
AMERICAN ELECTRICAL WORKS, PROVIDENCE, R. i.
NEW YORK STORE :
P. C. ACKERMAN, AGENT, 10 CORTLAND STREET.
CHICAGO STORE :
F. E. DONOHOE, AGENT, 241 MADISON STREET.
XXV
WHEN YOU WANT .
Silk DTiread
Underwear,
Sftosiery or SlUtts
stamped on the goods, is proof of the maker s
faith in the quality of them.
Corticelli Silk Co., cm.
12 St. nicbolas St.
. . . Montreal, Can.
WALTER C. HAGAR,
j
njurance
. . . SPECIAL AGENT . . .
THE GUARDIAN FIRE AND LIFE
ASSURANCE CO.,
Of London, Eng.
<
313 Doard of Trade ijuilding,
cMontreal, Canada.
McClary Man fg Co.
MANUFACTURERS
OF
Slews, furnaces,
enamelled Ware, Cinware, etc.
Head Office :
LONDON, ONT.
Branches :
Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver,
ENGRAVING and
PRINTING CO.
288 ST. JAMES ST., (Jacing Victoria Sq.)
Blank Booh makers, engraoers,
f r.ithoarachm. Booh & lob Printers *
THE BEST WORK ND RIGHT PRICES.
GET OUR PRICES FOR YOUR NEEnS.
ENGRAVING and
PRINTING co.
288 ST. JAMES STREET, MO1MTP T7 A I
(Jacing Victoria Sq.) ...MONTREAL.
XXVI
Ilitcbeirs
Scotch and Irish
Whiskies
. . . ARE . . .
Always Popular
TAKE
NO
OTHER.
Bell Tel.
8025.
d>rre~
Merchants
Tel. 550.
Co.
Manufacturers , . .
Importers and Agents.
CONTRACTORS SUPPLIES
jfcardware, Oils, train ts, Coal.
. . . Specialties . . .
Illuminating and Lubricating Oils,
"Sun" Boiler Compound *
2547-2553 NOTRE DAME ST.
Corner Seigneurs Street.
MONTREAL
WAREHOUSES . . .
St. Henri. Mile End.
and 355 Richmond St.
CAPITOL
fl yir$t=cla$$ 10 cent
Smoke.
E. N. CUSSON & CO.
MONTREAL.
Use
SCRANTON
it COAL
XXVII
Pilkington Brothers, Ltd
MANUFACTURERS
OF..
Polished Plate
... and
UMndow 0la$$
ZPlain and levelled
TTfirror Plates,
Rolled Plate, Fancy Cathedral Glass, &c.
DEPOT :
Busby Lane, MONTREAL.
C. THEORET
LAW BOOKSELLER
^PUBLISHER * *
11 AND 13
ST. JAMES ST. ...MONTREAL, CAN.
ABBOTT S RAILWAY LAW OF CANADA, 1896
B L I G H S QUEBEC STATUTES Uw INDEX, 98
CRANK8HAF8 JUSTICES OF PEACE S GUIDE, 95
HOLT S INSURANCE LAW OF CANADA, 98
LAFLEUR S CONFLICT OF LAW, 98
LA REVUE LEGALE, 98
LA REVUE DE JURISPRUDENCE, 98
R.S. WEIR, LID, CIVIL CODE P.O.,- 98
Official Figures
FOUR LEADING PAPERS
OF CANADA
Montreal Daily Star. . .50,0001
Montreal Weekly Star . 100,000 i I5> OOO
["The Family Herald and Weekly Star"! J
Toronto Daily Globe . . 34,500)
Toronto Weekly Globe . 26,000)
Toronto Daily Mail . . . 32,000)
Toronto Weekly Mail . . 25,000] 57
London Daily Advertiser 8,000)
London WeeklyAdvertiser 22,000] 3
December,
I WANT A ...
New
AND I WANT TO
FIND OUT . .
3. 6. Deslaurim & Co $
Hat
Store
IT IS AT ...
No. 2050 NOTRE DAME ST.
2 Doors from Chaboillez Sqr.
One minute walk from T\7r/~vK.TTT-T- A T
G.T.R. Station. MONTREAL.
XXVIII
LINOTYPE COMPANY,
MAKERS
OF . .
The Linotype
Type Bar Machine
The "Oliver"
Typewriter
Special Tools
Special
Machinery
WORKS AND OFFICES
156 St. Antoine Street,
.MONTREAL
Send for
Catalogues.
3. P. fl,(k$troi$H1ai$on$$C(X
import
ers
TTfanufacturers
^Wholesale
5)iillinery
1801 NOTRE DAME ST.,
Mon treal.
. . . ESTABLISHED 1854. .
fc Dwalttt
IMPORTER and
MAKER of all kinds of
MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS
of all kinds.
Violins made to order.
is $t. Cambcrt hill,
-momreal.
SAUVAGEAU
General Contractor
"""Valuator, *
Carpenter, Joiner & Builder
All kinds of Jobbing
promptly attended to.
SHOP and OFFICE :
189 ST. ANTOINE STREET.
Bell Telephone,
Main 2637.
. MONTREAL
XXIX
FAUCHER & SON
Importers and Pcalm In
hardware
Carriage Wood Work & Trimmings
SMITHS COAL
AGENTS FOR
K. Tnflham Clarke & Go s London, ens. UarnisNs
796 to 802 CRAIG STREET
Er S t 0f Amoin. Street. ZS^ZMONTREAL
W. H. D. YOUNG, L.D.S., D.D.S.
IRQ!
1694 NOTRE DflME ST.,
MONTREAL.
ONLY FIRST-CLASS* WORK.
Teeth Extracted without Pain by New Process.
Sets ordered in the morning can be delivered in the
afternoon. Telephone . Main 2 5 1 5 ,
W i gh t m a n <^^ss=^^r
Sporting Goods Co.
FISHING TACKLE, FOOTBALLS,
BOXING GLOVES,
STRIKING BAGS, SNOWSHOES,
CAMPING GOODS, ETC.
403 ST. PAUL STREET
. MONTREAL.
Our Motto "THE BEST."
flirt s
GINGER ALE,
SODA WATER,
APPLE NECTAR,
_ CREAM SODA,
==-^== KOLA,
CALEDONIA, &c.
to be obtained from all first class grocers.
2 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze Medals
and 17 Diplomas awarded for . .
J.EVELEIGH&Co.
Manufacturers of
TRUNKS & TRAVELLING BAGS
STEAMER TRUNKS-
NoSAMPLE CASES OF i
Military Cases, Cartridge Boxes, Haversacks,
STRAPS, OFFICERS TRUNKS, ETC.
Head Office and Factory VITRE, cor. of Elizabeth St.
City Warerooms - 245 ST. JAMES ST.
H. P. LABELLE & CO.
1657, 1659, 1661 NOTRE DAME ST.
MONTREAL
MANUFACURERS
AND . . .
FURNITURE DEALERS
PARLOR, BED ROOM, DINING
ROOM, HALL AND KITCHEN
ETC., ETC., ETC.
PALMER S
Saw and Planing Mill...
NEW STYLES IN
HAIR GOODS
"* rVfT^VS* We carry the LARGEST STOCK
,1
" in Canada.
OUR BORDEN HAIR GOODS . . .
ARE UNEQUALLED FOR WEIGHT, QUALITY AND BEAUTY.
Doors, Sashes, Blinds, Turning, Shaping, Mouldings
Sawing and Planing
1745 NOTRE DAME ST. TEL. MAIN, 391.
1O FAUTEUX AVENUE
Bell Tel. 8593. ST. CUNEGONDE.
XXX
TELEPHONE. MAIN 2733.
3C. 3C. SSrosseau & Co.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
AND INSURANCE BROKERS.
LOANS and INVESTMENTS.
PRIVATE ESTATE and TRUST administered.
13 ST. LAMBERT HILL,
-MONTREAL.
J. BONHOMME...
G,
CF
Repairs of all kinds on the shortest notice
and at Low PRICES.
WITH LARGE STORAGE
940 ST. JAMES ST. ,,
Between Guy and Richmond Sts. IVLONTRE AL
B.
Office Tel,, Main I265.
Branch and Residence Tel. 3087
DEALER IN . . .
WOOD and COAL
NAPOLEON STREET, near Canal
and 1119 ST. JAMES STREET
e. . mount $ go,,
PLUMBERS . . .
GAS and STEAMFITTERS
and ROOFERS <* J /* *
MONTREAL
Brand) Store: 7^4 Cfaifl
ote St. flntoine
Road
Iflontrcal.
MUNDERLOH & CO.
ALL KINDS OF
ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
ELECTRIC FIXTURES
DYNAMOS, MOTORS, ETC.
61 St, Sulpice Street, ,, .MONTREAL,
BREVET. MONTREAL,
. . . OFFICE FOR . . .
PATENTS, DESIGNS, TRADE MARKS
AND COPYRIGHTS,
HANBURY A. BUDDEN
F. M. CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PATENT AGENTS.
V . S. REGISTERED ATTORNEY No 1088.
ADVOCATE, PATENT AGENT.
NEW YORK LIFE BUILDING, MONTREAL.
Ifa
For the BEST forms of ...
LIFE & ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Wackstone ^&
Cigar Factory
. MAKERS
HIGH CLASS
CIGAR
Montreal
Travelers Insurance
Company
Of HARTFORD. CONN.
Obcral Contracts FRANK F. PARKINS,
Chief cdgent,
Lowest Rates.
136 St. Hamcs Street,
. . . Montreal, P.Q
XXXI
Dominion Wire Mfg. Co.
LIMITED .
rWORKS AT LACHINE
(NEAR MONTREAL.)
OFFICES:
TEMPLE BUILDING
MONTREAL.
& 65 FRONT ST. E.,
TORONTO.
WAREHOUSE:
4-92 ST PAUL ST.
MONTREAL.
- manufacturer of
Iron, Steel, ^Bra.ss and Copper Wire
Steel and ^rass Wood Screws
Steel Wire Nails
Steel and Brass Jack Chain
" Crescent" Coat and Hat Hooks
Spring Cotters, Staples
Wire ^Door Pulls
Bright Wire Goods and Mill Wire Goods.
All carefully packed and neatly labelled
and guaranteed second to none.
MONTREAL
E. A. GERTH
2235 St. Catherine St.
Queen s Hall Block
Direct Tmpcrtm
fiigb Class fiavana Cigars
Haent
W. D. & H. O. WILLS, Bristol, Eng.
TOBACCOS and , * CIGARETTES
}. BENJAMIN DAGENAIS
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
NO. 210 GUY STREET
MONTREBL.
Bell Telephone 8!I8
All kinds of Buildings erect
ed and General Repairs
done at the shortest notice.
estimates furnished.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
SPECIALTY : Plans and Esti
mates furnished for Embossed Ceilings in Steel, Aluminum, etc., etc.
All kinds of Goods made of Steel in Sheets for the Building Trade.
MORRIS MICHAELS
. . Importer of Tine . .
and of high grade European novelties
of every description.
ROTUNDA WINDSOR HOTEL AND CHATEAU FRONTENAC
MONTREAL. QUEBEC.
J. 0. LABRECQUE & CIE
Wood and Coal
83 WOLFE STREET
Bell Telephone, East, 1251.
Merchants Telephone 35R.
. . . MONTREAL
Jolelvilles
fvesfauranl
7752 NOTRE DAME STREET,
MONTREAL.
GORDON A. MELVILLE. Proprietor.
TELEPHONE MAIN 1875.
Bell Telephone 8311. Established in 1882.
E. LEMIRE
Dsaierin Wood & Coal of all kinds.
Strvw, Grain and Hay.
Wholesale & Retail.
367 RICHMOND ST.
HII orders promptlv executed in all parts IVfl rMvi-roc- A i
of the citv without extra charge. f t A L.
SPECIALTY : Dry wood for lighting stones
at moderate prices.
XXXII
. Cohen & Son,
Anthracite & Bituminous CO A L
COALS ; Cape Breton & Scotch Steam Coal,
American & Welsh Anthracite also Smiths Coal.
FOUNDRY SUPPLIES :
Lehigh Coal, Coke, Moulding Sand, Plumbago
Facings, Stove Polish, etc.
DRY CUT WOOD 4 CHARCOAL
36 PRINCE ST MONTREAL TELEPHONE 814.
PATENTS
TRADE MARKS
OWEN N. EVANS
Patent Attorney
(Foreign Member Chartered Institute Patent Agents, Eng.)
Successor to the late F. H. REYNOLDS,
Tempfe "Buifding, ST. JAMES ST.
MONTREAL.
COPYRIGHTS
DESIGNS
Imported direct from mines.
Merchants Tel. 135.
Bell Tel. East 806.
CHS. CHARLAND
. . DEALER IN - .
_, jb. ^ WOOD & COAL
OF ALL. KINDS.
53 VITRE STREET
Specialty: Kindling Wood of all hinds. . . . MONTREAL.
When you want a good, large load of Dry
Kindling Wood, cut Slabs, Hardwood,
or any kind of good Coal, be sure
and call up
ompany
p ONES -
M e chts M 927. 927-
W LUAM STREET.
The James Robertson Co.
Limited.
Lead . . .
Manufacturers
SHOT A SPECIALTY.
MONTREAL.
TORONTO.
WINNIPEG.
ST. JOHN.
L BRUNELLE
^Merchant Tailor
1906 Notre Dame Si.
BALMORAL BUILDING
BELL TEL. MAIN 1 O6.
. . . MONTREAL.
H. BOKER & CO.
Razors, &*f~~
f Scissors, ^Vmi
Pocket- Cutlery.
-V-
H. JOSEPH & Co.,
CANADA CHAMBERS, 16 ST. SACRAMENT ST.
MONTREAL
Real Estate and General cAgents
and Valuators.
Special Attention given to Management of Estates.
BELL TELEPHONE MAIN 2866.
CABLE ADDRESS: "CALLJO," MONTREAL.
H.V1NEBERG&CO.
WHOLESALE
CLOTHIERS
25 ST. HELEN ST. COR. NOTRK DAME ST.
MONTREAL.
FMBROC^TIOJV
a. ,iim.Y RHEUMATISM. LUMBAGO
rasn" CHEST COLDS. SORETHROAT:
CURO SPRAINS. BRUISES .STIFFNESS. ETC.
xxxm
MILK!
Avoid the danger of tuberculosis and other
diseases resulting from unhealthy animals, and
uncleanly dairies, by taking your milk from . .
Ff Mf-ff IP ^ T FA RM < , Periodical Inspection by
CL^iVin Ut\ J> / r/i[\M * McEachran & Baker, D.V.S.
A limited number of families supplied com
mencing 1st August inst.
T. A. TRENHOLME. Prop.
Tel. Mount I48a. MONTREAL WEST.
D. A, McPherson & Co.
. . . Exporters of ...
Cheese ana Butter
a - . --
Dealers in Orain and Cheese factory Supplies
71 William Street,
MONTREAL.
L-OST
"For the ivant of a nail a shoe was lost ; for
the <w&nt of a shoe the horse was lost ; for the
l&ant of a horse the rider foas lost, being over
taken and slain by an enemy."
Military men will avoid a similar calamity over
taking them, if they will only insist upon their farrier
shoeing their horses with the " C " brand horse nails,
made by
THE CANADA HORSE NAIL COMPANY
MONTREAL
GASCON FISH CO.
Curers and Packers of ...
Dressed, Dried, Boneless,
Salted and Fresh jt jt
"IVORY"
Brand of Boneless Cod.
GASCONS,
Bonaventure Co., Que.
2X HATTON & CO., Sole cAgents.
L. J. A. SURVEYER
< ESTABLISHED 1866
LA PRESSED
6 ST. LAWRENCE MAIN STREET
. . . MONTREAL
IRONMONGER
CUTLERY
BUILDING HARDWARE
TOOLS, &c.
LARGEST SWORN DAILY CIRCU-
LATION IN CANADA WITHOUT $
EXCEPTION.
Over
er /T
DD,
(>O<XXXX>O<X><KX>CKKXXX>O<KH><>OOOO<>O<M>0<i
Copies
a day.
^Volunteer SfCouse
WILLIAM WISEMAN, Prop.
461 Craig Street
. . . MONTREAL
J. W.
HEATING, PLUMBING,
VENTILATING, GENERAL JOBBING,
2 ST. ANTOINE ST. T e i.uai548.
26BAYLEST. ...MONTREAL
124 IRVINE AVENUE WESTMOUNT.
RESTAURANT CONNECTED
P. ELLIOTT
Tel. Up JJOJ.
Che
ensington
122 WINDSOR STREET
4 DOORS FROM C. P. . DEPOT
WM. POTTS, PROPRIETOR
.. . MONTREAL.
Choicest of Wet Goods and Cigars.
Dealer in *
Cboice Groceries, teas,
Ulines, Ciquors, Provisions, etc.
FINE CREAMERY BUTTER a Specialty.
Corner ^Berthelet and City Councillors Streets,
^MONTREAL.
XXXIV
headquarters
While in Montreal should be
xj. ^-GJirtx-.cy-
Cbe $t Cawrcncc Rail
.... BECAUSE it is the most centrally situated and
liberally conducted Hotel in the city
.... Its cuisine and service are of the highest order,
and it counts amongst its many Patrons the leaders
of the Social and Political worlds of both Continents.
ILLUSTRATED GUIDE BOOK
FREE UPON APPLICATION.
Proprietor.
ffi
You
Crescent
Bicycle *
J. mile Vanier,
B.A.S.
A.M. Canadian Soc. C.E.
Member Soc. C.E. of France.
Member Soc. of Architects of the
Province of Quebec.
We are sure, because
YOU want the BEST.
SPECIALTIES.
TALKING POINTS :
4
Beautifully designed frames.
Drop of crank hanger, 2^4 inches.
Seven-inch cranks.
Expanders in handle bars and saddle post.
Elegant black and olive green finish.
The most desirable saddles.
Rosewood finished rims.
Dunlop tires. Etc., etc., etc.
Ulc
have them
SS-
T. W. BOYD & SON
MONTREAL, QUE.
$35,00
$50,00
$75,00
ROADS J** RAILROADS
WA TER WORKS J*J* SEWER
AGE SYSTEMS JJ* -POWER
PLANTS OF cALL DESCRIP
TIONS J*J* ELECTRIC LIGHT
ING Jtj* ARCHITECTURE J*J*
ETC. j*j*
IMPERIAL ^ BUILDING
MONTREAL.
xxxv
Indian Catarrh
~
- extremely rapid in its action on Catarrh, is entirely non-
4> ] poisonous, and does not irritate the throat and nose when
inhaled It is also taken internally, acting as a tonic, in
creasing the blood circulation, and thus assisting the whole sysl
throw off the disease. - rATAT?T?H
This preparation is the most efficacious remedy for CATARRH
the nTrket It was first prepared by the famous Sikhs, in the
curing thousands in Canada
prove our claim.
will
ou.
us, we will
INDIAN
Price, - 50c. and $1.00
HEAD OFFICE OF THE
METROPOLITAN" PLATE GLASS INSURANCE Co.
(^
C. A. SHARPE
(Successor to Quesnel, Sharpe & Co.)
Montreal.
IMPORTER OF .
and
Plate, Window
Ornamental Glass
PAINTS, OILS, VARNISH,
WALL PAPER, ETC.
^^^ Manufacturer of Mirrors.
^^ fc " Bevelling a Specialty.
1621 Notre Dame Street,
^mm-MONTREAL.
Jne Drust and oan
.
Company of Canada.
INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER
A. D. 1845.
CAP.TAL SUBSCK.BED
"
$7,500,000
RESERVE FUND
MONEY TO LEND .
S.,58,,666
$924.13863
ON CITY PROPERTY
AND IMPROVED FARMS
AT LOW RATES
AND ON VERY DESIRABLE TERMS.
ADDRESS :
THE COMMISSIONER
Che Crust and Coan Company of Canada
26 Si. James Sireet, MONTREAL.
XXXVI