Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

Corps of Canadian Voyageurs
Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs
Active 1812-1815
Country Canada
Allegiance
The British Crown
Branch British Army 1812-1813
British Commissariat Department 1813-1815
Type Logistics
Role Transportation
Size 400 men
Engagements War of 1812
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 William McGillivray
The Voyageurs most important contribution to the War of 1812 was the supply of the western posts; the strategic result was that the British Army retained control of Fort Mackinac, a central point for supplying the British Indian allies in the Northwest Territory.

The Corps of Canadian Voyageurs was raised in September 1812 by the British Army as a military water transportation corps. Its mission was to maintain the supply lines between Montreal and the western posts. The corps was disbanded in March 1813, and its mission was taken over by the Canadian branch of the British Commissariat Department, a department of HM Treasury, as the Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs. This corps was disbanded in March 1815.[1]

Organization

The Corps of Voyageurs was organized on the initiative of the North West Company, and its bourgeois and engagés became the officers and men of the corps.[2] The Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs had one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one captain, ten lieutenants, ten conductors (sergeants acting as guides), and about 400 private men.[3]

Uniform and Equipment

The army wanted to put the corps into uniform, but that was impractical due to its duties. Instead of a uniform the men of the corps wore the dress of the ordinary civilian voyageurs. The army issued swords, pikes and pistols, but as they also were impractical they were thrown away or sold, and the men used their own rifles, axes and knives.[2]

Discipline

The corps was known for its lack of discipline, at least in comparison with the iron discipline required by the British Army. However, it fulfilled an absolutely essential function in the wilderness war.[2]

Honours

The Canadian Grenadier Guards perpetuates the honours of both corps.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Canadian Military History Gateway, "Voyageurs" Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Andrew Hind, The Canadian Corps of Voyageurs Retrieved August 8, 2011
  3. ↑ Robert Malcomson, "Batteauх in the British Service during the War of 1812", Northern Mariner 13(2003)4:17-28 Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  4. ↑ Battle Honours of the Canadian Army Retrieved April 10, 2013.