Runchey's Company
The Coloured Corps (also known as Runchey’s Company) was a company of Black men raised during the War of 1812. Soldiers in the company were comprised of free men as well as those who were enslaved. The threat of an impending American invasion posed a major threat to the lives and freedoms of people of African descent in Upper Canada because an American victory could result in re-enslavement for those who were legally free in Upper Canada.
The Coloured Corps was first proposed by Richard Pierpoint, who was taken from West Africa as a teen and sold into slavery in the United States. He earned his freedom by fighting for the British Crown during the American Revolution in Butler’s Rangers. When war was declared in June of 1812, Pierpoint petitioned the Upper Canadian government to allow him to raise a militia corps of Black settlers in the Niagara Peninsula. Initially the idea was turned down, but as the war progressed, the proposal was reconsidered due to low volunteer forces. By August of 1812, the corps was formed, but instead of the new captain being Richard Pierpoint, Robert Runchey, a White officer, was assigned the task.
Runchey was chosen to take on the new corps because he was held in low esteem by his fellow officers. He was once referred to as a “worthless, troublesome malcontent.” He raised the corps as part of the 1st Lincoln Milita, but the corps was segregated from the other corps in the militia.
Recruitment for the corps proved difficult. Most of the corpsmen were volunteers from across Upper Canada, while others were transferred from existing units, notably the 3rd York Militia. Pierpoint was a volunteer and became a private in the corps, despite being 68 years old. Once enough men were recruited, the Coloured Corps began training at Fort George. Despite the corps being entirely comprised of people of African descent (save for Runchey and one Lieutenant), none of the Black corpsmen would be commissioned and would only rise to be non-commissioned officers.
The corps' first engagement was at the Battle of Queenston Heights. The company fought alongside the 41st and 49th Regiments of Foot, as well as the Six Nation Warriors, winning a victory for the British forces. Captain Runchey did not even show up at the battle, and so he promptly resigned after the engagement. The corps then enter general service in early 1813.
By the end of 1813, the Coloured Corps was associated with the Royal Sappers and Miners. Together they helped to fortify the mouth of the Niagara River and construct Fort Mississauga. The construction of Fort Mississauga was crucial for combatting the American naval forces at the time. In 1814, the corps continued as an attachment to the Royal Sappers and Miners, and in that year, they received the uniforms of the Royal Sappers and Miners directly from the British Government. The Coloured Corps would not see engagement in any major conflict in 1814.
The corps was disbanded in March of 1815, one month after the war ended. Despite their dedicated service, many who served in the corps had difficulty claiming their land claims for their service. The land granted to members of the Coloured corps was a measly 100-acres compared to White settlers, and it was poor in quality, leading many to not settle their land at all.
The Coloured Corps’ honourable defense solidified not only the freedoms of people of African descent, but helped contribute to the formation of the future country of Canada.