The Bayonet Charge at Batoche ... 1885

[RattlesnakeJack]

(A thread started by "ndnchf" on the Historical Society forum about use of the bayonet during the Indian Wars resulted in me posting yet again about the 1885 North West Rebellion in Canada.  Thought I might as well post here also, in case any folk of a military bent don't check that forum.)

During Canada's Northwest Rebellion of 1885, the Battle of Batoche, May 9-12, was primarily just a stalemated series of skirmishes, with the Canadian Militia forces probing the defences of the entrenched defenders ... Metis ("halfbreed")and some Indian allies ... over a period of three and a half days.   If finally ended with a spontaneous bayonet charge begun by the Midland Battalion (from Ontario) ... apparently while the overley cautious expedition leader, General Middleton, was having lunch on the last day.       The charge quickly over-ran the defenders, who were getting low on ammunition anyway ... 

British Empire Infantry engaging "Halfbreeds" (Metis) and "Indians" with the cold steel ...



The above image is a coloured version of an engraving published in Eastern Canada on March 30, 1885 ... the officer is Colonel Arthur Williams, in command of the Midland Battalion.  Here is a detail from the original engraving as published in The Canadian Pictorial and Illustrated War News -