Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

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]

Corps of Canadian Voyageurs
Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs
Shooting the Rapids 1879
Active1812-1815
CountryBritish Canada
Allegiance
United Kingdom
BranchBritish Army (1812-1813)
British Commissariat Department (1813-1815)
Typelogistics
Roletransportation
Size400
Motto(s)Perseverance
EngagementsWar of 1812
Skirmish at St. Regis 1812
Battle of Lacolle Mills
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.

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]

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.

Weapons

The Army-issued swords, pikes and pistols were impractical, and they were thrown away or sold and the men used their own frontier weapons: they were issued with brown bess muskets, 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]

Officers of the Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

Source:[4]

Honour of Perpetuation within the Canadian Army

The Canadian Grenadier Guards perpetuates the honours of both corps.[5]

Modern Historical Re-enactment Unit

The Modern Historical re-enactment group of the Canadian Corps of Voyageurs was organized in 1975 by John Robertson, then armourer at Old Fort William (now Fort William Historical Park). After forty years as a reenactment group, it is still a strong volunteer group (over 45 members) with Fort William Historic park, Thunder Bay, Ontario, it is a family orientated historical re-enactment group that portrays early 1800s military, voyageur militia and family life. The Corps provides Guards of Honour in many local charity events, providing heritage colour and firing salutes for visiting VIP's. The Corp provide safety training to new and old members to be confident in the proper use, care and maintenance of firearms and equipment. Members are encouraged to take an active role and participate in the group activities and camp life. Not only is the corps a historical re-enactment group, we are also a social group keenly interested in the past and informing the public about Canadian history.

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References
  1. Canadian Military History Gateway, "Voyageurs" Archived 2013-11-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  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. Irving, L. Homfray (1908). Officers of the British forces in Canada during the war of 1812-15. Canadian Military Institute, p. 114. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
  5. Battle Honours of the Canadian Army Retrieved April 10, 2013.
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