The Red River Expeditionary Force 1870-1877 were soldiers collected from the Militia Units of Quebec and Ontario in early 1870 for service in the Northwest. They were intended to "show the Flag" in Rupert's Land which had just joined Canada as the Province of Manitoba and the Northwest Ter ritories.

The soldiers were also interested in "punishing" the Metis in Red River for what was perceived as "treason" against the crown during the negotiations leading up to the Confederation of Manitoba. For more information on the results consult my Ph D thesis, "The Canadians and the Metis: The Re-Creation of Manitoba, 1858-1872." (F.J. Shore, University of Manitoba PhD thesis, 1991).

Each soldier was granted a "Bounty Warrant" for 160 acres of crown land. In most cases the soldiers sold these warrants and they became the basis of the wealth of many of the early economic leaders in Winnipeg.

More information on the Warrants is also contained in the Thesis mentioned above.

The files:

• Red River Expeditionary Force Appendix II
• Red River Expeditionary Force Appendix III
• Appendix IV
• Bibliography

Further information can be obtained by contacting the author:

Copyright © September 30, 1996 Fred J. Shore

• Red River Expeditionary Force Appendix IIcontains the list of 1, 704 men of the RREF (Red River Expeditionary Force).
• Red River Expeditionary Force Appendix III contains the bounty warrants issued as a result of their service in the Red River Expeditionary Force, as well as discharge date and location
• Appendix IV lists the "assignees."

Red River Rebellion 1870
Type of Record	Location of Record	Ordering Information	Comments
Medal registers	National Archives of Canada	RG 9 II A 5	The medal registers are indexed. You can request a search by sending Library & Archives Canada a written inquiry.