The March West of 1874

On July 8, 1874, Roscommon-born George Arthur French, first Commissioner of the North West Mounted Police, later the RCMP, led  275 mounted police officers west, on what has come to be known as the Long March. The newly formed force was headed for southern Alberta, where American whisky traders were violently exploiting the Aboriginal people.The expedition consisted of 275 officers and men, 142 draught oxen, 93 head of cattle, 310 horses, 114 Red River carts, 73 wagons, two 9-pounder field guns, two mortars, mowing machines, portable forges and field kitchens.

You can read Col. French's day-by-day account of the treacherous journey that brought peace and order to Canada’s prairies at     http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/hist/march/index-eng.htm