The Real Origins, and History of the Begging of the Black Watch “Royal Highland Regiment” Of Canada. According to the Militia Act of 1855 further amended in 1859.
In the Origins or tracing back the Lineage of the CDN Black Watch almost all Web Sites, Historians, researchers and Canada’s Red Hackle Magazine {See summer and spring Issue 2007 page 4 the Canadian Connection} have concluded that.
With the threat of an American invasion looming, in 1862 volunteer Militia companies were hastily formed in Canada. One of this Unites was, The 5th Battalion Royal Light Infantry, in Montreal.
In the book “The 5th Regiment Royal Scots of Canada Highlanders” A regimental history written by Captain Ernest J. Chambers in 1904. page 33, paragraph 5 he states. "The 5th Battalion Royal Light Infantry" was organized under General Orders of January 31st 1862. Mr Chambers got the date right but the name of the Regiment wrong. Even Canada’s Red Hackle magazine got the name wrong and the event, there was never no Invasion from the US looming.
From the
research I've done concerning the TRENT Affair. Britain
& Canada were ready to go to War and attack the US over
the "Trent Affair" Even Britain had sent Troops,
supplies and munitions to Canada in case, the US did not
amended the restoration of the men taken from the Trent,
and also submit ample apologies for the insult to the
British flag. If not, then Britain would off declared
War on the US. See Links that proved the proof that
Britain was going to use Canada as the platform to
invade the US. There was never an American invasion
looming, we where going to be the invaders. Therefore
with the threat of Britain and Canada invading the US
looming. I provided only 3 links of so many that I
found.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britain_in_the_American_Civil_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent_Affair
http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1861/12/11.htm
As Chambers writes on page 33 paragraph 3,
Towards the end of November 1861, word reached Canada of the Trent outrage. The British mail steamer, "Trent" had been stopped on the high seas by the U.S.S. "San Jaeinto," boarded by a party of armed marines, and Messrs. Mason and Sliddell, the Confederate commissioners, seized, in spite of the protests of the "Trent's" captain, and taken on board the "San Jaeinto." At the news of this wanton outrage upon the British flag, a wave of indignation swept over the British Empire, and Britons everywhere demanded that the Confederate commissioners be restored to the protection of the British flag and full reparation made. Although the question at issue was not one of special Canadian interest, and although it was realized that if war took place the United States would try to make Canada the scene of active operations, in no part of the Empire was there a more set determination that the outraged honour of the Empire be avenged than in Canada. For once the British government took a firm stand against its obstreperous offspring across the Atlantic, amended the restoration of the men taken from the Trent, and also ample apologies for the insult to the flag. Accustomed to receiving absurdly indulgent and invariably requited treatment at the hands of the Mother Country, the people of the United States, who had mistaken British good nature for weakness, insisted that the demands be not complied with. Both countries appeared determined, and both sternly set to work to serious' prepare for the impending conflict. Britain dispatched a large force of regular troops with ample supplies of munitions of war to Canada, and the Canadians, to a man, set themselves to the task of preparing for the contest, which appeared not merely probable but inevitable. How the United States Government eventually surrendered the two commissioners and made amends for the uncalled for action of Captain Wilkes, is well known to every reader of history.
While this keen international tension was at its height, the whole male population of Montreal enrolled themselves into volunteer corps, and exercised themselves in military drill, night and day. Many of the existing military organizations of the city trace their existence back to this stirring time.
Chambers is wrong about the name of the Formed Montreal Militia that was to become The Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, but has the Date right. The CDN Black Watch Lineage chart shows
5th
Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada
January
31 1862
I
Redesignated To
5th Battalion, The
Royal Light Infantry of Montreal
November 7 1862
No. 10 Company ( authorized 16 October 1856 as “The Montreal Highland Rifle Company”) of the 1st Or “prince of Wales Regiment” Volunteer Militia Rifles and redesignated No.9 Company.
Therefore The History should read! In the threat of War being declared by Britain and Canada on the US. Or in the Mergence of War being Declared by Britain on the US concerning the "TRENT" Affair! In 1862 a Volunteer Militia of Scottish citizens of Montreal were organized under General Orders January 31 1862 as "The 5th Battalion, Volunteer Rifles of Canada" Now known as The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders Regiment) of Canada.
And the begging Lineage of The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders Regiment) of Canada. According to the Militia Act of 1855 and further amended in 1859. And as Mr Chambers states, {Many of the existing military organizations of the city trace their existence back to this stirring time.} Therefore started with The 5th Battalion, Volunteer Rifles of Canada. January 31 1862. Not the “The 5th Battalion, Royal Light Infantry of Montreal” as many have stated.
According to the Militia Act of 1855 further amended in 1859. Concerning this statement, this is when unpaid Volunteer Militias in Canada started the Payroll system and clerks had full records of payroll of the Regiments names and the men who served in them.
It’s to be Noted that “The Volunteer Rifles” & “Royal Light Infantry” date back to 1837.
De Bleury Street in Montreal is named after a CO that commanded two Rifle Regiments in 1837 Major de Bleury. The street is where one of his Regiments had a parade hall or Warehouse in those times. And that’s why they chose that street to be named Rue de Bleury in Montreal. In fact “The Black Watch RHR of Canada” can be traced back to 1831.
Lest We Forget Spañiard over and out………
