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William Dillon
Otter   (1843-1929)
Rank Canadian Army Lt. Colonel
Highlights Lost the Battle at
Cut Knife Hill
Knighted in 1913

Biography


Otter at Battleford
 Click to enlarge picture
Born near Goderich Ontario, Otter began his professional life as a clerk before switching to a military career. He fought during the 1866 Irish-American Fenian Invasion of Canada. He assumed command of Canada's new Infantry School in 1883.
In 1885 Otter led a column of 350 Canadian soldiers to Battleford, Saskatchewan. The settlers of the area feared an attack by Poundmaker's Cree and the Stoney band.
Poundmaker had to intervene to prevent Fine Day's warriors from pursuing Otter and turning his hasty retreat into an all-out disaster.
Otter preempted. On May 2, he and his men attacked the Poundmaker band at Cut Knife Hill. Led by war chief Fine Day, the Cree repelled them. Poundmaker had to intervene to prevent Fine Day's warriors from pursuing Otter and turning his hasty retreat into an all-out disaster.
Otter later served in the South African War and Wold War I. Knighted in 1913, he attained the rank of general in 1923.
"See all these women; see al these children; see all these young people who surround you. They are the ones that we must save. I know that you are brave. In fighting against the whites you can hinder them very much. But we will yield to the number, and something tells me that our children will have their lives safe."
Poundmaker to his people in 1885, just before surrendering
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