Characters

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Group 1 – The Characters

This section divides the characters between major and minor characters and provides a quick biographical sketch of the major characters. At the end you will find a family tree to help visually identify the relations between the characters.

Contents


Major Characters

Characters which the novel focuses on and the plot is supported by.

Wacousta / Reginald Morton

Wacousta is the created name for Reginald Morton, who started his life as a British soldier. He was friends with Colonel Charles de Haldimar while he was a soldier. During this time, Reginald came across a young woman named Clara while out hunting and promptly fell in love with her and devoted himself to their union. He took Clara with him, leaving her family and life behind so they could marry and be together. During their escape, Reginald was called into battle and left Clara in the care of Colonel Charles de Haldimar claiming her to be Reginald’s cousin. Reginald returns from battle to find Charles has married Clara, he is charged for neglect of duty and cowardice, and has been rejected by his friends. Fueled by heartbreak, betrayal, and hatred, Reginald rebels against the English, fighting alongside the French and eventually aligning himself with the Indigenous group led by Ponteac, adopting the name and persona of Wacousta. The remainder of Wacousta’s life is dedicated to the revenge of Charles, and his new “savage” persona allows him to play out a violent revenge that would have otherwise not been possible in the English way of life. Wacousta aids in fulfilling Ellen Halloway’s prophecy of the destruction of the de Haldimar name, resulting in the deaths of Colonel Charles and two of his three children Charles Jr. and Clara. Wacousta dies in the process of his revenge, killed by Ouacanasta’s brother.

Governor/Colonel Charles de Haldimar

Governor/Colonel Charles de Haldimar is the man in charge of the Detroit Fort and the father to two sons, Charles (Jr.) and Frederick, and a daughter Clara, who is named after his late wife. He is a power-hungry and a not well liked soldier, who was friends with Reginald Morton (now Wacousta) early in his career. When Reginald was ordered into battle, he left his lover (Clara) with Charles saying she was his cousin. Charles then married Clara and had three children, initiating the heartbreak and betrayal felt by Reginald, and as such creating much of the conflict within the novel. Charles continued exploiting his power as leader of his fort, killing an innocent man through the justice system. The wrongdoings of Charles ultimately lead to the death of himself and most of his children, as prophesied by Ellen Halloway.

Frederick de Haldimar

The oldest and most successful of the de Haldimar children, married to his cousin Madeline de Halidmar and is the pride of the garrison. Frederick de Haldimar, accompanied by his servant, Harry Donellan, sneak out from the Detroit fort with the aid of Frank Halloway in order to meet an Indigenous woman, Oucanasta. With her guidance he is able to overhear the conversation between Ponteac and the other chiefs and their plans to deceive the British soldiers and attack Fort Michilimackinac. He is caught during his escape by Wacousta but is freed by Ouacanasta’s brother, to which he heads to the fort in order to save his sister Clara, and his wife Madeline de Haldimar. During their escape from the ruins of Fort Michilimackinac their ship is intervened by Wacousta and he is taken prisoner. He manages to escape, alongside his wife, Miss de Haldimar, Francois, and Oucanasta, and eventually becomes colonel of the regiment and a father.

Charles de Haldimar

The youngest brother of the de Haldimar lineage, described as a soft hearted individual who worries for his brother and sister and emotionally expresses many of the traumas that take place in the novel. As such, he is perceived as weak by his father and many of the other soldiers. He supports and aids the union of his sister, Clara, and his good friend Sir Everard Vallentort. Charles inadvertently discovered the complicated past of his mother when he saw the letter from her while in his father’s room, one of the first moments in the novel that begins to reveal the true conflict between Wacousta and Colonel de Haldimar.

Clara de Haldimar

The daughter of Governor de Haldimar whose appearance is similar to her late mother. Described as a feminine and beautiful young woman with a close relationship to her brother Charles de Haldimar. Clara is stationed at fort Michilimackinac with her cousin Madeline de Haldimar until it is attacked and then promptly saved by Captain Middleton. She is the object of great interest for Sir Everard Vallentort, whose love is supported by her brother Charles. Clara is then captured by Wacousta who initially demands that she become his wife, and subjects her to listening to his history of the relationship between her mother and himself. Clara and Vallentort attempt to escape together, but are then killed by Wacousta.

Sir Everard Vallentort

Sir Everard Vallentort is a soldier within the Detroit Fort and a good friend to Charles de Haldimar. In the beginning of the novel, he shot Frederick de Haldimar’s servant Harry Donellan thinking he was an Indigenous enemy (Harry Donellan was dressed up to appear as one) entering the fort. He expresses a great desire to meet and be with the sister of the de Haldimar brothers, Clara, of whom he heard about extensively from Charles. Vallentort goes to save Clara when she is kidnapped by Wacousta, but both of them end up being killed by Wacousta in their efforts to escape.

Frank Halloway

Frank Halloway is a soldier in the English garrison of Détroit working under the authority of Colonel de Haldimar who at one point saved his son, Frederick’s, life. While he was guarding the gate at night he was asked by Captain de Haldimar to allow them passage, he eventually gave in, under the assumption that Captain de Haldimar and his servant, Harry Donellan, would return. Due to the disappearance of Captain de Halidmar and his servant, he is charged and sentenced to death by firing squad. His death sentence is momentarily interrupted by the appearance of Wacousta, to which Halloway pleads for the Governor to wait, but his plea is unheard and he is shot to death multiple times. Colonel de Haldimar’s decision to order Frank’s death despite his righteous and seemingly pure motivations is what leads his wife Ellen to state the prophecy that will lead to the de Haldimar’s downfall.

Ellen Halloway

Ellen Halloway is the wife of Frank Halloway, and begs Charles de Haldimar at his bedside to have mercy upon her husband. When this is refused, she disguises herself as a drummer boy in the death march of Frank Halloway and reveals herself briefly to talk to her husband. Upon his death she appears wild and places a curse upon the Governor that all descendants of the de Halidmar lineage will have the same fate and unjust death as her late husband. She is then taken by Wacousta and is made his wife, but preceding the final battle between Wacousta and the British she is never found again.

Minor Characters

Supporting characters which have minor roles but still have an impact upon the plot. Organized by where they are stationed in the novel.

Fort Detroit

Major Blackwater

An officer often seen recurring throughout the novel. He is the second in command, behind Captain de Haldimar.

Captain Blessington

A captain of his regiment and is seen recurring throughout the story. He led Frank Hallway’s trial in the first volume and is one of the only regimental officers left standing by the end of the novel. He is also a good friend of the young Charles de Haldimar. He is last seen leading the funeral service for the characters that died in the third volume.

Harry Donellan

Frederick de Haldimar’s trusted servant who accompanies him beyond the fort walls, and it is later revealed to be the mutilated body that was originally thought to be Frederick’s.

Captain Wentworth

After Erksine leads the first battle, he gives credit of the battle’s success to Wentworth and he answers only to the governor.

Adjutant Lawson

The prosecutor at Frank Halloway’s trial. He is very professional and is often seen answering to Colonel de Haldimar.

Ensign Fortescue

The subaltern (second in command) guard. He keeps the key to Frank Halloway’s cell.

Sergeant Major Bletson

A “hard-hearted man” who is summoned by Colonel de Haldimar during Adjutant Lawson’s absence.

Captain Erksine

He is the first person to bring up the possibility that the Indigenous people may have captured Frederick de Haldimar and is the one to lead the first and unexpected battle with the Indigenous. Erksine discovers the mutilated body which is believed to be Frederick (actually Harry Donellan); and delivers the news of Frederick’s apparent “death” to Captain de Haldimar.

Sambo

Sir Everard Vallentort’s black servant. It is assumed that he is not treated very nicely, as Vallentort calls him a “scoundrel” and blames him for his own unsuccessful shooting in the second chapter.

Lieutenant Murphy

An Irishman who was said to be rude, vulgar, and illiterate. He dies early on after being shot by the person in the walls. Before his death, he was a senior in his rank and was hoping to get a promotion.

Lieutenant Johnstone

A Scottish officer at Fort Detroit and one of Erksine’s subalterns. He is who discovers Harry Donnellan’s mutilated body. He is also known to be the best swimmer and climber in the fort, as well as a decent rifleman. He was severely injured in the final battle against the Ottawas.

Ensign Delme

A very close friend of Murphy’s which was a friendship that had grown out of “circumstances in common.” He is shot through the heart during the battle against Wacousta in the novel’s final moments.

Mitchell

A soldier asked to examine Harry Donnallen’s body (however at the time it is believed to be Frederick’s) after he was shot by Sir Everard Vallentort.

Morrison

He was Charles de Haldimar’s second-hand man and tells him that the body is his brother’s even though it is not. He overall cares deeply for Charles and thinks of him as a son.

Ensign Sumners

The officer who visits Charles to inform him that his brother is not the discovered dead body.

Lieutenant Boyce

Officer of the grenadiers at Fort Detroit. After the final battle with the Ottawas, he was one of the seven regimental officers of the garrison that had not fallen.

Lieutenant Leslie

A brother subaltern to Johnstone who is often seen making fun of him and his Scottish background. After the final battle with the Ottawas, he was one of the seven regimental officers of the garrison that had not fallen.

Tom Winkler, Mr. Wisearc, Will Buford, Phil Shehan, Dick Doherty, Carter, and Cassidy

Litter men that participated in the short battle against the Ottawas in the fifth chapter of volume one. After the incident, they were ridiculing Erksine on his battle decisions and realized that the body on the ground was not Frederick’s.

Fort Michilimackinac

Captain Baynton

An incessant talker who is the Captain at the Michilimackinac fort. He was the one who saved Clara’s life after the Ottawas' attack on his fort and he died shortly after.

Captain Middleton

A respected officer at Fort Michilimackinac who was presumably dead. Madeline once caught him sketching the image of an Indigenous woman.

Jack Fuller

Due to him sleeping he was unable to receive Oucanasta’s note and warn of the oncoming attack on fort Michilimackinac. He was on the boat that Clara was rescued on and was killed when Wacousta first invaded the schooner.

Madeline de Haldimar

She is a cousin to the de Haldimar family, but she is set to wed her Frederick de Haldimar. Madeline is viewed as less childish looking than her cousin, as she appears to be more womanly with a powerful voice. After the events of the novel, she is said to have daughters with Frederick.

Mullins

Mullins sailed the de Haldimar’s away from Michilimackinac after its attack by the Ottawas. He is a veteran boatswain of the ship (the schooner) that aided in Clara's escape from the fort.

Canadians/Ottawas

Babette

The dark-eyed daughter of Francois.

Francois

He is the Canadian that is first seen holding what appears to be a wampum belt. After a shot is fired at the English, he is questioned about it, but claims he does not know who the person was that shot it. After being threatened, he reveals he is lying and tells Captain Blessington who fired the shot and is sentenced to death for not originally telling the truth.

Oucanasta

She is the sister of one of the lesser Ottawa chiefs. One day Frederick saved her from drowning, and in response to this she aided him by sneaking him into one of the Ottawas’ camps, which led to Frederick kissing her out of gratitude. In the third volume, she aids the English once again by saving them from the Ottawas. After the events of the third volume, she is explained to often be associated with Frederick and his future daughters.

Oucanasta's Brother

He is the brother of Oucanasta and is the upcoming Ottawa chief who saved Fredrick de Haldimar from Wacousta. He attempted to warn Fort Michilimackinac of the oncoming attack but his note was never read. He was on the boat that Clara was rescued on, after his prolonged disappearance he returns at the end of the novel to demand a parley and introduce a peace treaty between the Ottawa people and the British.

Ponteac

Leader of the Ottawas and enemy of the English. He desperately wants to take over both the Detroit and Michilimackinac forts, and attempts to do so by tricking, invading, and fighting with the English throughout the novel. After the events of the third volume, however, Pontiac and his warriors are seen concluding in peace with the English garrison.

Unseen Characters

Clara de Haldimar (Beverley)

The late mother of Frederick, Charles, and Clara and wife to Colonel Charles de Haldimar. She is a Cornish girl who lived secluded with her father until she met Wacousta (otherwise known as Reginald Morton) who saved her from her father and took her back home with him. Although she was in love with and planning on marrying Wacousta, she soon met Charles and chose to marry him instead, the two having stayed together until her death and birthing three children.

Family Tree

Works Cited

Richardson, John. Wacousta or, The Prophecy; A Tale of the Canadas. Edited by Douglas Cronk, Carleton University Press Inc., 1987.

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