The Métis led by Riel at Red River were dissatisfied with the Canadian government's deal with the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) concerning the transfer of Rupert's Land.

Following this clash, Riel prevented McDougall from entering Rupert's Land, took over Upper Fort Garry and established a provisional government.

[3] Prime Minister John A. Macdonald proposed in 1869 that a force of police officer troops be sent to Manitoba to control the Métis in the area.

[4] There are various reasons given for his execution, including considering it an attempt to compel the Canadians into real negotiations, to Riel's disliking Thomas Scott.

Under the leadership of Colonel Garnet Wolseley the expedition set out in May 1870 from Toronto's New Fort York in an attempt to interdict Riel.

However, due to unfavourable weather in the form of rain, and a series of forest fires prior to the rainfall, the road was not completed on time.

[8] The expedition travelled to Georgian Bay, then by steamer across Lake Huron to the U.S. Sault Canal where men and materiel had to be transported on the Canadian side of the river.

[10] Wolseley then arranged the 4.8 km (3 mi) portage of the soldiers and materials upriver on the Canadian side of the river to be loaded back onto the awaiting Algoma.

[11] The expedition then proceeded across Lake Superior to the Department of Public Works station at Thunder Bay, which Wolseley named Prince Arthur's Landing on May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria's third son.

On August 15 he finally made Rat Portage with his flotilla and sent Iroquois guides back to help the remaining brigades cross the river.

[15] Fort Garry was officially reported as being taken back into the Canadian government's control as of August 24 with a ceremonial raising of the Union Jack.

The lack of resistance to the Wolseley expedition has been attributed to both the remoteness of the location and the federal government's efforts to avoid provoking the local inhabitants into further rebellion.

While Wolseley was able to maintain strict military discipline among the British regulars under his command, the militiamen wanted to avenge the execution of Thomas Scott.

[20] Reports from the expedition comment on the 100 Iroquois voyageurs from the Montreal area as being the most reliable and best equipped to handle rapid moving water.