Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1885 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
9 cm of textual records
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
When the second Riel Rebellion broke out in March of 1885, William Van Horne, General Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway, immediately offered the Canadian government the services of the railway to move troops, animals, equipment and provisions to the North-West Territories. From March 28 to April 12 the CPR moved 3324 men to Qu'Appelle, in a journey that took less than ten days, remarkable since parts of the railway line north of Lake Superior were still unfinished. John M. Egan, General Superintendent of the CPR, Western Division in Winnipeg, coordinated the western efforts. The CPR's telegraph services also provided essential communication regarding troop movements, Metis rebels, Indians, settlers, weather, and battles in the North-West.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased from D.C. Coleman, 1957.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The fonds consists of telegrams received at the CPR's Winnipeg office, predominantly by J.M. Egan, related to the Riel Rebellion. Includes a copy of Crowfoot's declaration of loyalty to the Queen.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The originals are restricted due to fragile condition. Transcripts are available for research purposes.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
The material is in English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Digital content is available
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of records.
Note
M-4875 are the photocopies of CPR Archives material.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Riel Rebellion (telegrams) (Subject)