Red River - Canadian Military Heritage Project

RED RIVER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1870-1877

The Red River Expeditionary Force 1870-1877 were soldiers collected from the Militia Units of Quebec and Ontario in early 1870 for service in the Northwest. They were intended to “show the Flag” in Rupert’s Land which had just joined Canada as the Province of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories.

The soldiers were also interested in “punishing” the Metis in Red River for what was perceived as “treason” against the crown during the negotiations leading up to the Confederation of Manitoba. For more information on the results consult my Ph D thesis, “The Canadians and the Metis: The Re-Creation of Manitoba, 1858-1872.” (F.J. Shore, University of Manitoba PhD thesis, 1991).

Each soldier was granted a “Bounty Warrant” for 160 acres of crown land. In most cases the soldiers sold these warrants and they became the basis of the wealth of many of the early economic leaders in Winnipeg.

More information on the Warrants is also contained in the Thesis mentioned above.

The files:

Appendix II contains the list of 1, 704 men of the RED RIVER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1870-1877.
Appendix III contains the bounty warrants issued as a result of their service in the RED RIVER EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 1870-1877, as well as discharge date and location
Appendix IV (not available)
Bibliography (not available)

are from the copyrighted document as follows: Fred J. Shore. “The Canadians and the Metis: The Re-Creation of Manitoba, 1858-1872.” PhD Thesis, University of Manitoba, 1991.

Anyone using this material is required to provide a footnote including the above material.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the author:

Fred J. Shore, PhD
Department Head, Native Studies Department
Faculty of Arts
Room 532 Fletcher Argue Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5V5

(204) 474-6333 voice
(204) 261-0333 fax

Contact Fred Shore