Owen Hughes (politician) - Military Career

Military Career

According to Hughes, he joined the German Army sometime between 1864 and 1866 and was still enlisted in 1870 at the beginning of the Franco-Prussian war. Upon learning that his brother was fighting for the other side he deserted and returned to England. He claimed to then have been involved in running guns from England to France and in 1871 he was able to get his brother out of France. Hughes then moved to the Northwest Territories as an employee of Kew Stobart and Co. and worked in Nelson River from 1873–74 and in The Pas in 1875. In 1876 Stobard retired from Duck Lake and Hughes was appointed head of their fur trade business. In 1879 four militia companies were organized in the Prince Albert area and he was appointed the captain of the Duck Lake company that consisted mainly of Metis from the Duck Lake, Batoche and St. Laurent. Gabriel Dumont was one of his two lieutenants. The militia units were disbanded in 1884 only sightly prior to the North-West Resistance. After Dumont's victory at Duck Lake, Hughes is reported to have said to Middleton, "Gabriel Dumont, my lieutenant, and my half-breeds who have just driven your army back. Great Scot, had I been there to lead them, we'd have driven you out of the country." Despite the fact that many of his friends fought with Riel, Hughes fought on the Federal Government side and was present at the Battle of Battoche and accompanied Middleton's men aboard the Northcoate.