Particles & Waves

By EdwardFenner

126-year old biscuit w/info on 1885 NW Rebellion

A historic hardtack biscuit and witness to Canadian history. Seems in pretty good shape, too. The 1885 North-West Rebellion or North-West Territory Rebellion (or several other names) is one of a series of Cree and Métis people uprisings against the young Dominion of Canada in and around Saskatchewan. Led by politician and Métis rebel (and folk hero to many... and still) the rebellion was successfully put down and Louis Riel was hanged. Echoes of this rebellion resonate to this day and Riel's birthday is celebrated by many Canadians.

The info on this tack says the 12th Battalion (the York Rangers) left Aurora on 2nd April and returned July 21st. That means they missed The Battle of Duck Lake and the Looting of Battleford. They left Aurora the day of the Frog Lake Massacre so they did not participate there. They may not have made it to the Fort Pitt assault but, if they traveled by train, they likely made it to one or several of these: the Battle of Fish Creek, the Battle of Cut Knife, the Battle of Batoche, the Battle of Frenchman's Butte, and the Battle of Loon Lake.

This hardtack was part of a display of military and police memorabilia at the Aurora Cultural Centre.

Yesterday's blip: Weather for ducks... and here they are!

Comments
Sign in or get an account to comment.