Editing John Abbott (section)

===Military service===

Abbott had served in the local militia “since boyhood”, being appointed an Ensign in the 2nd Montreal Militia Battalion in 1847.<ref name="canlii.org">{{cite web|last1=Hutchison|first1=Paul P.|title=Sir John J.C. Abbott: Barrister and Solicitor|url=https://www.canlii.org/en/commentary/doc/1948CanLIIDocs59#!fragment/zoupio-_Toc3Page1/BQCwhgziBcwMYgK4DsDWszIQewE4BUBTADwBdoAvbRABwEtsBaAfX2zgGYAFMAc0ICMASgA0ybKUIQAiokK4AntADkykREJhcCWfKWr1m7SADKeUgCElAJQCiAGVsA1AIIA5AMK2RpMACNoUnYhISA|website=Canadian Legal Information Institute|access-date= 3 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> In 1849 he was a signatory to the [[Montreal Annexation Manifesto]], calling for union of the Canadas with the United States, resulting in the withdrawal of his commission in the militia. By 1850 however, he was reinstated and appointed a Captain in the 4th Montreal Militia Battalion.<ref name="canlii.org"/>

His recruitment of a battalion of 300 men, known as the [[17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars#11th Regiment Argenteuil Rangers|11th Argenteuil Rangers]], during the [[Trent Affair]] of 1861 may have been designed to atone for what he later described as the “sins of youth” and to enhance his political credentials, as much as to express his concern for his country's safety. On March 14, 1862, he was appointed Major in the [[17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars#11th Regiment Argenteuil Rangers|11th (Argenteuil Rifles) Volunteer Militia]], being promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on March 21.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blatherwick|first1=John|title=PRIME MINISTERS OF CANADA THEIR MILITARY CONNECTIONS, HONOURS and MEDALS |url=https://www.blatherwick.net/documents/Prime%20Ministers%20of%20Canada/40%20-%20Prime%20Ministers%20of%20Canada%20Military.pdf|website=National Defence Historical Department|access-date= 4 April 2023|language=en}}</ref>

He commanded the regiment on the border multiple times throughout the [[Fenian Raids]], on March 8, 1866, they were called out for active service and were stationed in various villages throughout [[Argenteuil Regional County Municipality|Argenteuil]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Louise|title=The Story of Gore: Fenian Raids of 1866 and the Gore Volunteers|url=https://www.cantondegore.qc.ca/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/History%20of%20Gore%20VII.pdf|website=The Gore Express|access-date= 3 April 2023|language=en}}</ref> On June 11, 1866, the Rangers were called out to serve at [[Cornwall, Ontario|Cornwall]], and then [[Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu]], and a reporter from Montreal stated: 
{{Blockquote
|"I learned on Sunday afternoon that troops were to be sent to St. Johns [Saint-Jean] by special train; and managed to procure permission to come out with them. The troops sent forward were a part of the force recently garrisoning Cornwall, a portion of the 25th Regt. under Col. Fan, and the Argenteuil Rangers under Lieut. Col. The Hon. J.J.C. Abbott."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Louise|title=The Story of Gore: Fenian Raids of 1866 and the Gore Volunteers|url=https://www.cantondegore.qc.ca/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/History%20of%20Gore%20VII.pdf|website=The Gore Express|access-date= 3 April 2023|language=en}}</ref>}}

Abbott retired from the militia as a Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the 11th Battalion, on June 22, 1883.

Taunted by his political opponents in March 1889 for his “disloyalty” in 1849, he explained that he considered his military service, and his commission as an officer and later commanding officer of the 11th Argenteuil Battalion of militia, to be evidence that his youthful error had been forgiven.<ref>{{cite web|last1=MILLER|first1=Carman|title=Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott|url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/abbott_john_joseph_caldwell_12E.html|website=Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date= 10 February 2022|language=en}}</ref>