"The skirmish that set a nation alight:"

THE FIGHT AT DUCK LAKE

 

William Daniel Blatchly for the Canadian Pictorial & Illustrated War News

 

This is a scarce contemporary, hand coloured image, of the skirmish that set alight a nation.

Located some 45 miles south-west of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Duck Lake was in reality a small trading post known officially as Stobert, consisting on March 26,1885, of eight or nine white washed log buildings. The area had been settled by Métis since the disappearance of the buffalo, but now real hardship and land injustice was inflicted upon the Métis, exacerbated the particularly harsh winter of 1885.

During the civil unrest which came to be known as the North-West or Riel Rebellion, Gabriel Dumont ambushed 53 Police officers and 41 Prince Albert volunteers, whilst Louis Riel inspired the Métis, crucifix in hand, with religious fervor in an attempt to establish a Provincial Government.

Depicted are the police sleighs barricading the road and the tricky situation in which Lt. (later Major) L. N. F. Crozier, the superintendent of the NWMP. at Battleford, found himself in. Despite appearances, for here it looks as if Crozier's men have the upper hand, a contemporary report stated that a fight occurred forcing Crozier to retreat with twelve of his men killed.

Although only about 1000 rebels actually took up arms, the potential threat was of some 20,000 on the warpath. The federal government mobilized 7982 troops, 500 NWMP., 9 field cannon and 2 Gattling guns; and in a remarkable feat of logistics transported the force within 4-9 days across the breadth of the country, along the fledgling Canadian Pacific railway, in a successful, if controversial, effort to suppress the uprising.

Handcoloured, framed Published by Grip P. P. Co. Toronto, 4 July 1885.
Stone Lithograph. Click for more information on the printing technique.

9 X 12" excluding letters (22.7 X 30.5 cm.)

(Ref. LRA814 /DLL/loo DLN)
PRICE CODE A
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Apr 25, 1885:

"I have had an affair with the rebels at this spot"
-F. Middleton, Maj. Gen. commanding the North-West Field Force.

Battle of Fish Creek

From sketches by P.W. Curzon with Gen. Middleton's expedition

A colour stone lithograph giving an overview of the battle and the strongly defensible position in the coulée or ravine of Fish Creek during Riel's North West Rebellion.

Dumont and his 130 man force were able to effectively check Middleton's advance.

Métis marksmen picked off the troops silhouetted on the hilltop, however Middleton's response by heavy artillery fire encouraged Métis desertions.

This is a sought after contemporary depiction of the battle on 24 April 1885 from sketches by P. W. Curzon.

A numbered key below the image shows positions of the opposing forces, including the Royal Grenadiers, topographical features & gun emplacements.

There is slight damage to the top, borders trimmed.
Colour lithograph (Ca. 1890) Period frame.
Click for more information on the printing technique.

Published by Grip P.P. Co. Toronto, 1885.

Approx. 19 1/8 X 24 6/16" including letters (48.2 X 62 cm.)

(Ref. DS 0045A/DLN/dov RLN)
Price Code D: Click Here for Pricing Details

"I was right in mentioning you to the cause of humanity...
...We will gather our families in one place and when it is done we will let you know."
-Louis David Riel to Gen. Middleton before the Battle of Batoche.

THE HERO OF BATOCHE IN ACTION!

THE BAYONET CHARGE AT BATOCHE

W. D. Blatchly for the Canadian Pictorial & Illustrated War News

This scarce contemporary coloured image is reputed to be the only known printing of the "Hero of Batoche" Lieut. Col. A.T.H. Williams of Port Hope, leading the bayonet charge at the Battle of Batoche during Riel's North West Rebellion.

Frustrated by General Middleton's lack of progress during the four day battle in May of 1885, Williams instigated the attack which carried the day.

A correspondent for the Mail quoted;

"But the heaviest charge was made by the Midland Battalion, who rushed forward with a cheer which was taken up and re-echoed by the whole line with such a force and vigour that the enemy became panic-stricken."

Wilmott prints have become collectable in themselves as they claimed to be among an exceptionally few colour printed Canadiana images printed between 1850 & 1899. This is inscribed image #249 within their embossed seal.

Chromolithograph. (Ca 1890)
Click for more information on the printing technique.

14 7/8 X 20 5/16" excluding letters (37.8 X 51.6 cm.)

(Ref. LRA 774/DNN/loo RLN)
Price Code D
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