History Browser

This photograph of a gun from A Battery, Regiment of Canadian Artillery was taken during the fighting at Fish Creek on 24 April 1885. Captain James Peters of A Battery was an amateur photographer who took his camera to the North-West and took what are possibly the first photographs in history of a battle in progress. (Library and Archives Canada, C-003461)

A bibliography of pictorial works on Canadian military history in which illustrations and photographs of the Northwest Campaign can be found. Includes information on Captain James Peters, military photographer.

Early in the morning of 9 May 1885, as the Canadian army was moving in the direction of the church at Batoche, they were fired upon from two houses outside the village proper. This was the first move of the four day battle at Batoche. The guns of A Battery of the Canadian Regiment of Artillery opened fire and the Métis marksmen fled. The militia then set fire to the houses to prevent them from being used again as cover by the Métis. The commander of A Battery was an amateur photographer, and he captured the smoke in this photograph he entitled 'Opening the ball at Batoche'. The horses and guns of the artillery can be seen beyond the fence at right. (Library and Archives Canada, C-003464)

Two Canadian officers led the way for the many photographers who would record Canada's military operations in the 20th century.