This week in history, 135 years ago, the groundbreaking journey for the establishment of law and order in the west began, laying the foundation for the railroad and eventual mass settlement.
On July 8, 1874 Colonel George Arthur French set out from Fort Dufferin Manitoba with 22 officers, 287 men, 310 horses, 67 wagons, 114 ox-carts, 18 yoke of oxen, 50 cows and 40 calves.
They headed west toward the Junction of the Bow and Belly Rivers, over 800 miles away, in what is present day southern Alberta. The journey would take them over two months, slowly trudging over the rugged and inhospitable prairies, battling freezing cold nights and scorching daytime heat. The journey was fraught with challenges, like sparse grazing grounds for livestock, swarms of locusts, to quicksand and guides who were untrustworthy and dangerously unknowledgeable.
Their initial objectives were to contain the whiskey trade and create a presence of order in the lawless territory. Of particular concern was a stronghold known as Fort Whoop-up, and the men were charged with breaking up the outlaw whiskey traders and their hold on the region.
Along the March West, the contingent camped in many locations across the plains, tracking river valleys like the Souris. One historic encampment was near the present day site of Roche Percee Saskatchewan.
At Roche Percee, the decision was made for a contingent of men, under Inspector Jarvis, to leave the main group and head northwest. They travelled to Fort Ellice to leave the sick men and animals. They then went on to establish a presence at Fort Edmonton, a Hudson’s Bay Company post. This division of the force was chronicled in the iconic Sam Steele’s journal,
July 25, 1874
At Short Creek, on the banks of the Souris, by La Roche Percée, ” A ” division under Inspector Jarvis left the rest of the train, to proceed to Fort Edmonton via Forts Ellice and Carlton, a distance of 875 miles by trail.
July 26, 1874
The commissioner was compelled to transfer the majority of the men and all of our horses except the officers’ chargers to other divisions, and Jarvis received in their stead the quartermaster and several of the youngest and weakest men, 55 sick and almost played-out horses recovering from a severe attack of epizootic, 24 waggons, 55 ox-carts with 12 drivers, 62 oxen, 50 cows and 50 calves to help us on to Fort Ellice.
The remainder of the force carried on, but their spirits grew weary as the journey began to take a heavier toll and the harshness of the open plains set in. Their horses were near starvation -some succumbing to the elements. They pushed on toward Sweet Grass Hills, near the international border and the current Cyprus Hills region.
It was increasingly apparent they were unsuitably prepared for the journey, which was beginning to weigh heavily on the mind of the Colonel. He writes this after a night where two more horses die,
September 10, 1874
I begin to feel very much alarmed for the safety of the Force. If a few hours’ cold rain kills off a number of horses, what would be the effect of a 24 hours’ snow storm.
They carried on through to the end of September, but continued to face tremendous challenges and the prospect of failure. French led a small party south from the Cyprus Hills region to Fort Benton Montana to replenish food stocks, supplies and horses.
French makes note of his transactions at the outpost,
September 25, 1874
Purchased some moccasins, boots, stockings, gloves, &c., for the men and some corn and oats for the horses. Bought 15 horses. Left one with McLeod. Prices generally very low. Obtained full particulars as to the murders in the Cypress Hills. Bought a waggon and double set of harness to assist in carrying out supplies.
After his return with supplies, the Colonel left the main contingent and headed toward Swan River to establish a headquarters. This location was newly selected by Ottawa as headquarters for the force, although it was poorly suited.
The Commander of the remaining force, tasked to lead from Sweet Grass Hills to the Fort Whoop-Up objective, was Assistant Commissioner James F. Macleod. Macleod led the column, with the assistance of a Métis scout, named Jerry Potts.
They eventually found Fort Whoop-up, but it had been abandoned by the whiskey traders who had caught word of the forces advancements. These traders fled south and only a caretaker remained.
Macleod’s contingent eventually came to rest on the banks of the Old Man River and build the first police outpost in the far west, known as Fort Macleod.
The North West Mounted Police March West marked the birth, and established the presence, of our now world renowned national police force. The trek through the southern plains is also partially credited for impacting the route of the future Canadian Pacific Railway.
Sandford Fleming had originally proposed a more northerly route for the line, along the Yellowhead through Battleford to Edmonton. However, the route ended up going through the Palliser Triangle and the more southern arid regions.
Another reason the CPR went this route was to limit the distance and the cost of the line, which was under economic constraints. While there were benefits to a more southern line, without the success of the March West, the route may not have been chosen.
The decision of the CPR to follow the more southerly path created economic opportunities that otherwise would not have developed, or would been delayed by decades. The prosperity that followed the rail line allowed communities like Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Medicine Hat through to Calgary to spring up and flourish.
The development of the more southern CPR line also established territorial protection. With the line going through the Palliser triangle, it would be less likely American expansionists would seek to infringe and make any claim in the flat plains.
This initial outreach, the early establishment of law and order, laid the groundwork for the expansion of the west. The force has grown to be one of the major icons of Canadian identity and the Red Serge is one of the most recognizable Canadian symbols in the world. The landscape of modern Canada, particularly the west, would be vastly different if it wasn’t for the hard fought successes of the March West.
