Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

Corps of Canadian Voyageurs Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs
Active	1812-1815
Country	British Canada
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army (1812-1813) British Commissariat Department (1813-1815)
Type	logistics
Role	transportation
Size	400
Motto(s)	Perseverance
Engagements	War of 1812
Commanders
Notable commanders	William McGillivray

Canadian unit emblem reads, " Canadian Corps of Voyageurs, Perseverance, N W (North West Company), 1812"

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.

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]

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]

Uniform

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, rifles, 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]

Honours

The Canadian Grenadier Guards perpetuates the honours of both corps.^[4]

References

1. Canadian Military History Gateway, "Voyageurs" 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. Battle Honours of the Canadian Army Retrieved April 10, 2013.