166
smaller positions of from 1,500 to 1,800 yards by rocky heights, which, although sufficient to support the flanks of these small positions, would not prevent their being turned.
The south bank of the Portage Inlet, which would have to be occupied to protect the larger peninsula of Esquimalt from attack, is over 3 miles in length, and although it would be greatly strengthened by field-batteries thrown up on the most salient points, it could not be left without the protection of infantry.
For the efficient performance of these duties not less than 2,000 men would be required. As regards the assistance in men that the province would be able to afford, the Local Acting Adjutant-General of the Militia reports that it exists in three classes: the active militia, white men who might be enrolled, and Indians who might be useful as auxiliaries.
The active militia are as follows:-
167
a foreign enemy. It is a question whether it would be safe to trust them with arms in times of peace, in a community of which they form a great majority.
There are no railways or any other communication over the Rocky Mountains except Indian tracks, and therefore no assistance could be derived from the eastern part of the Dominion.
In the event of war the active militia and the additional enrolment of white men at Nanaimo and Esquimalt would find full employment in their own district, and therefore all the local assistance that could be looked for in the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria would be-
Militia Artillery
ぐ
Rifles
17
New enrolment
Total
Rank and File.
85
84
700
869
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
11 TLT CO. 885
! ! ! ! ! ! | ` ` ` | | | | | ' ||
"
Place.
Authorized.
Actual.
Description.
Officers,
N.C.-Officers, Rank and File.
Officers.
N.C.-Officers, Rank and File.
Garrison Artillery
6
85
8
50
1st Company of Rifles..
3
42
2
31
2nd
42
2
34
11
11
New Westminster Ditto Nanaimo
Garrison Artillery
Rifle Company
30
25
40
34
40
1
23
39
19
279
12
197
..
Victoria
Disto
Ditto -
Total
•
I inspected the Victoria Artillery and Rifles, who made every exertion to turn out in as large numbers as possible, but out of 9 officers, and 169 rank and file, only 7 officers, and 71 rank and file, were present on parade, which was as many as could be expected in the middle of the working season of a small population scattered through a large country, in which the cost of living is very great, and the working season, from the severity of the climate, is in many parts of
short duration.
The militia artillery appeared to take great interest in their duties, were smart in serving the guns, answered very fairly questions put to them as to ranges, charges, fuzes, &c., and made most excellent practice at the targets, much to the credit of their very capable and earnest instructor, Captain Dupont, the Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. The infantry marched past very steadily, but, like all troops not constantly drilled, with a degree of stiffness. With full practice they would make good skirmishers, as besides being intelligent, many of the men are fair shots; but they would, I think, make better assistant artillerymen than infantry, as their natural quickness and ability would then find more scope; and they would work more freely than in the more rigid infantry movements.
As assistant artillerymen would be much required, I would recommend that all the active militia at Esquimalt and Victoria should be enrolled as artillery, and that the numbers should be increased so that they could furnish at least two-thirds of the detachments, and the reserve for the sea batteries. There would probably be little difficulty in this beyond providing the necessary funds, and in a short time,
believe, the men would become efficient
gunners.
The number of white men that could be enrolled in addition to those in the active militia, should an emergency arise, and their services be required for the defence of the Colony, are as follows:-
At Victoria and Esquimalt, 700; New Westminster and Burrard Inlet, 350; Nanaimo, Cowichan, and Commox, 350.
These men are, however, without drill or discipline, and could not be relied on for some time after their enrolment.
A small number more might be obtained from the mining districts, but some
would expire before they could be brought to the coast.
week The Acting Assistant Adjutant-General reports that if time admitted and arms wore available, an auxiliary force of 1,000 Indians might be raised. These men are well-disposed towards the British people, and would doubtless fight well against
Of this number, at least 354 would be required for serving the guns of the sea batteries, and about 500 would be available for infantry.
With regard to the manner in which the garrison should be constituted, I observe that it has been suggested by Lieutenant-General Sir E. Selby Smyth that, for the purpose of manning the batteries of Esquimalt and Victoria, a small force of about 100 marine artillery should be maintained [in Vancouver Island," and Admiral de Horsey proposes a nucleus of 100 marine artillery under naval authority for the same purpose.
The objections to this scheme that present themselves to my mind are that, in time of war, the ships of the navy would be required chiefly at sea, and thence would necessarily result sometimes the entire absence of naval officers from the station, and at others frequent changes of the officers in command. {
The forces under the navy would not be sufficient in themselves for the defence of the place, and would require to be supplemented by land forces, in which case the troublesome question of the right of command could not fail to arise and cause inconvenience and trouble, particularly with Colonial militia, whose status in joint operations with the Imperial army and navy seems very undefined, or not clearly understood. It is also not beyond possibility that a naval officer, seeing what might appear to him a good opportunity for making an expedition against an enemy, might, if the troops were under his orders, take them or part of them for that purpose, the dockyard, &c., during the time being left exposed.
I have no hesitation in urging that if Esquimalt is fortified the garrison should be furnished from the Imperial army and supplemented by the local militia under an organization that will insure the two forces working harmoniously together.
It is impossible to estimate satisfactorily the strength of the garrison that should be maintained at Esquimalt without having any distinct instructions as to the degree of importance that is attached to the station. My own view is that Esquimalt, with regard to the Pacific Ocean, is as important, or more so, than Halifax with regard to the Atlantic, as the latter is not only supported by Bermuda, Nassau, Jamaica, &c., and is in the midst of a considerable popu lation, from which she can draw all supplies, but has the mother-country within ten days' steaming; while Esquimalt is isolated, has to draw her supplies from a foreign country, and has comparatively no resources to fall back upon.
The expenditure and armament proposed by the Colonial Defence Committee would lead to the inference that the place is considered of very little importance. With all due deference to the Committee, whose Report has been sent to me as a guide, I would submit that a weakly-fortified place, with an inadequate garrison, in an isolated position beyond reach of support, and open to an attack by a large force, courts its own destruction, and that of the interests it is supposed to protect, and leads to a useless sacrifice of men, money, &c., with a loss of honour and prestige.
Feeling, however, that the Committee, in proposing so limited a defence, must have acted under a conviction of the necessity for the utmost economy, I have reduced the armament of the sea defences to below what the importance of the station requires, and on the same principle, although I am of opinion that there should be not less than 1,500 Imperial infantry at the station to insure its efficient defence, I would confine myself to roposing not less than 900 rank and file.
4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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