Home > Battle of Seven Oaks (1816)

In 1815 after several nervous breakdowns and conflicts, Macdonell resigned as governor of the Red River Colony. He was replaced by Robert Semple, an American businessman with no previous experience in the fur trade.

In 1816 a band of Métis, led by Cuthbert Grant, seized a supply of Hudson's Bay Company pemmican and were travelling to a meeting with traders of the North West Company to whom they intended to sell it. They were met south of Fort Douglas along the Red River at a location called Seven Oaks by Semple and a group of HBC men and settlers. Semple argued with several of the Métis and a gunfight ensued. Although early reports state that it was the Métis who fired the first shot, it may have been one of Semple's men who fired first. Semple and his men did not have a chance against the Métis, who were skilled sharpshooters and outnumbered Semple's crew by nearly 3 to 1. The Métis repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses, including Governor Semple and over twenty HBC men and settlers. They were later exonerated by a Royal CommissionIn countries that are members of the Commonwealth a Royal Commission is a major government inquiry into an issue. They have been held in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. A Royal Commissioner has considerable powers, generally ger appointed to investigate the incident. Grant later became an important figure in the Hudson's Bay Company after its merger with the North West Company.