Chapter 10 No.10

I was awarded one shilling twopence per day pension. Being a civilian again and relying on my military experience and knowledge of physical culture, I went to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and spent the winter with ex-Sergeant Campbell, who was a dear old comrade and is now a merchant. The following summer I returned to Halifax, and during the early part of July General Laurie was enlisting recruits for the provisional battalion at Winnipeg, and deputed me to conduct them to that city.

Accordingly, on the 3rd of August, 1875, with forty men in charge, we left en route for Fredericton, N.B., where we added several men to our contingent and continued our journey. We stayed overnight at the Franklin House, Bangor, Me. We stopped four hours at Montreal, and next arrived at Sarnia. We camped a week at Point Edward waiting the lake steamer. One morning while at drill a stranger approached me, who turned out to be ex-Private Patrick Sharket, employed as a signal-man on the G.T.R. He heard my voice in the distance, and he knew it was "Teddy's," so he told me after. Sharket was a smart and good soldier. He served in the Crimea, and while the regiment was quartered in Toronto, 1867, obtained his discharge and took employment with the Grand Trunk Railway, but had not been working long when he met with an accident which caused the loss of his left hand. The company kept him in their service. It was eight years since we met.

We had a beautiful trip, reaching Thunder Bay on Friday afternoon. We had to stay there overnight, and occupied the emigrant sheds. That night I had to look up a doctor, as some of our men were sick, but by Sunday morning they were much better. We met a R.C. missionary who was on his way to the Height of Land to take charge of an Indian reserve. He was excellent company and kept the contingent alive by his funny stories. After breakfast the following morning we proceeded to Lake Shebandowan by wagons over the Dawson route, a road made by the troops under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley on their way to the North-West, 1870. We halted about half way and had our dinner. It consisted of ham and beans, bread and tea; it was splendidly cooked and well served by half-breeds.

We arrived at the lake and found a woman and a man in charge of the post. It had been headquarters for the surveyors in that section and used also for emigrants who chose to go that way. We were on the banks of a charming little lake. The opposite shores are picturesque with their tall poplars and oaks frequented by thousands of wild pigeons. The lake abounded with fish. The men took out the Government boats and caught a quantity of pike sufficient for breakfast the following day. The R.C. priest had sufficient paraphernalia with him to erect an altar, and invited the contingent to mass Sunday morning. Nearly all the men attended, and there were also quite a number of outsiders at the pleasant service. In the morning, after another breakfast of pike, a small steamer conveyed us to the Height of Land. The mosquitoes now got in their work and deprived us of some of the fluid which gives us life. Although we got a lotion to rub on our hands and faces it did not prevent them from biting. The chief and many Indians were there to meet the reverend father.

After nearly a month's travel over lakes, rivers and portages we arrived at St. Boniface. On a Sunday morning we crossed the Red River on the ferry and at once paraded and marched to Fort Osborne. I reported to the officer on duty, and the men were quartered temporarily. Next day the contingent paraded and was inspected by Colonel Osborne Smith, D.A.G., and posted to their respective companies, and during the day received their kits and clothing. Shortly after our arrival I was appointed garrison sergeant-major, which position I held till the battalion was disbanded two years later. Lieutenant Hayter Reed was the adjutant. I now had to work with Mr. Reed in putting the battalion in the best possible order. Quite a change in the drill had taken place but had not been put into practice. This had to be done and other reforms were necessary, and with the permission of the commanding officer, I commenced to put the corps in a better state of discipline and drill. After a few months the regiment was a credit to the Dominion forces.

I found, however, they had never been instructed in musketry, and a soldier is useless if he can't shoot. I asked the colonel's permission to put them through a course of musketry, which he was pleased to grant, and selected a site for the ranges a few miles outside of St. Boniface. I put the battalion through up to 600 yards; the course was carried out according to the school of musketry regulations, and I rendered all the returns in manuscript, the report showing fair average shooting. There was a band of twenty under Bandmaster Harry Walker, late of the Imperial 7th Fusiliers. It was in good shape and kept busy, for bands were scarce in the city at that time. We gave entertainments at the fort occasionally. There was excellent talent among the men and it was always put to good use. The bandmaster was always ready to help us in every way possible. A most pleasing incident took place during the winter. Sergeant-Major Steele, N.W.M.P., returning from leave of absence, and passing through Winnipeg, called on his friend Adjutant Reed, and during their conversation asked Mr. Reed who his sergeant-major was. Mr. Reed replied that it was ex-Color-Sergeant Rundle.

"Why," said Sergeant-Major Steele, "that's my old drill instructor; please send for him."

An orderly came to my room and said that Mr. Reed would like to see me. I went to the adjutant's quarters, where I met an old pupil of the Military School, Toronto, 1867. We were both pleased to meet and had a good old chat about the times past and future. The sergeant-major obtained a first class certificate at this time, and we all know what brilliant services Colonel Steele has rendered to the Empire, especially in South Africa.

Some months later I received an offer to become musketry instructor to the Mounted Police. I declined because I could not ride a horse.

I had many friends in Winnipeg. Amongst them was Rev. Mr. Fortin, All Saints, now a bishop; Rev. Mr. Matheson, Manitoba College, now bishop and Primate of Canada, who married Miss Fortin, the bishop's sister (I sang at the wedding); Rev. Mr. German, Grace Methodist Church, of whose choir I was a member; the late Colonel William N. Kennedy, of distinguished Nile memory, who was also a member of the choir. The late Mrs. Chambers, formerly of Peterboro', was the organist. I can say with much delight that my acquaintances and associations during the two years were fraught with much pleasantness and reciprocated kindness.

The N.W.M. Police, having been thoroughly established, was sufficient protection against attacks from Indians or half-breeds; therefore, on the 3rd of August, 1877, the battalion was disbanded, each man receiving a grant of 160 acres of land for his services. A good many remained in the country. Others went to their homes in the East.

I was now engaged in organizing single companies, making my headquarters at Emerson. A company was raised in Winnipeg under the command of Captain C. W. Allen and Lieutenant Killer. I spent another two years in perfect enjoyment with the good people of Emerson, and assisted in every way to build up this young town. I made my home with Mr. and Mrs. Hooper and family, who resided on the west side of the river, opposite Emerson.

One lovely evening in August Mr. Thos. Hooper, Jr., with his young bride, came over to spend the evening. It was near midnight, the ferry had stopped running, and I offered to row Mrs. Hooper over in my skiff and return for her husband and a gentleman friend. We were passing where the ferry was moored, and Mrs. Hooper, reaching to seize the end of the ferry, lost her balance and fell into the river and sank. I immediately sprang to the rescue and succeeded in bringing her to shore.

The fall was approaching and I made up my mind to visit my friends in the East. My Emerson friends having learned of my intentions, Mr. Carney, who was to be first mayor of the town, offered me the office of clerk if I remained, but my arrangements had been made and I could not cancel them. I was invited by the citizens to meet them in Library Hall the night previous to my departure. A programme had been prepared, the band was present and played my old favorites. During the evening Mr. Fairbank, J.P., read an address regretting my departure from the town, and also presented me with a handsome purse.