Matthew Bell's Volunteer Cavalry; we
numbered between 90 to 100 men. Our uniform was blue coat, red
collar, - silver braid; arms, a sabre and holster pistols. As
volunteers every man furnished his own horse, suits, etc. My
horse, which cost me thirty guineas, I refused sixty for from Col.
McNeil; our mounts were of Canadian, American, and English
pedigree.
We were commanded by Col. Bell; Hon Wm. Sheppard (late of
Woodfield), was our Major, Mr. Hale, our Captain, Wm. Henderson,
our Lieutenant. I cannot say, in reply to your question, whether
the late Hammond Gowan was our Cornet. Our house stood next to
that where General Brock had lived, in Fabrique street. I was, in
1812, one of the escort who took General Winfield Scott, Col.
Winder, - - from Beauport; I remember well the big Col. Scott, as I
played cards with the American officers who were, on their parole,
quartered in Judge DeBonne's house, on the site of which the east
wing of the Lunatic Asylum has since been erected. I formed part
of the escort who conducted the American officers to the Quebec
jail, in St. Stanislas street, previous to their being located in
a St. Louis street house. During the war, under Sir George
Prevost, I formed, in March, part of the detachment of cavalry,
sent with a company of the 103rd, to the parish of St. Joseph,
Beauce, to arrest some militia men who had refused to enlist. The
ice-bridge before Quebec, started a few minutes after our last
horse had crossed.
CHAS. HY. J. HALL
St. Joseph, Beauce, 23rd March, 1881.
N B. - I can read yet without glasses; I reckon I am the last
survivor of Bell's Cavalry. - Morning Chronicle, 28th April,
1881.
QUEBEC TROOP OF LIGHT CAVALRY.
Extract from a Troop Order Book of Captain Bell's Troop, dated
Quebec, 1st March, 1813.
NOTES RESPECTING THE FORMATION OF THE TROOP.
[Furnished by Lt.-Col. Turnbull, Q.O.C.H.]
This Troop was first formed by Capt. Bell, under an order of H. E.
Sir G. Prevost, dated 22nd April, 1812, as a part of 3rd
Battalion, Quebec Militia.
22nd May, 1812. - William Sheppard and Hammond Gowan are appointed
Sergeants. Mr. Hale attached to the Troop as Cornet.
27th June. - Intelligence of the declaration of war reached Quebec.
The gentlemen composing the Troop, to the number of 34,
volunteered their services, to act when and where the Government
thought proper.
27th July. - The Troop declared independent of the 3rd Battalion,
Quebec Militia. In case of alarm, to assemble on their private
parade, in front of the Castle, by order of General Glasgow.
October. - Mr. Hale appointed Lieutenant, and Mr. Sheppard, Cornet,
dated 24th April last.
19th December. - The Troop to be held in readiness to march on
active service early in the spring.
15th February, 1813. - Orders received to add 25 dismounted men to
the Troop.
MUSTER ROLL.
QUEBEC LIGHT CAVALRY, BELL'S TROOP.
1st March, 1813.
Officers.
Captain (Commandant) Matthew Bell.
Lieutenant Edward Hale,
Cornet W. G Sheppard,
Quarter-Master Benjamin Racy, (from the Ste.
