The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-05-13
NORTHWEST WAR.
Some Particulars OF the Battle with RiePs
Rebels.

WINNIPEG May III, DATOCHES 'ORoSSING,
via OLARK's CROSSING. May We left camp
st s this morning leaving all supplies and
tents behind. We marched seven miles
without seeing OF hearing anything OF the
enemy. The morning was bright and warm.
Suddenly came the sound of a steamers
whistle blowing continue slY. As we neared
we heard the sound Of heavy firing on our
front in the direction OF the river. Our line
of march was as follows: First, Boulton's
scents. accompanied by Calling gun; gren-
adiers formed the ad Vance guard, with bat
teTY the Ninetieth battalion supported
them, with the Winnipeg battery and the
Midland battalion in reserve. Gun, steamer,
scouts and Calling gun then pushed rapidly
ahead, and soon came upon two houses
near the brink OF the river, which here
is very precipitous. An advanced party of
rebels were met, who fred and retired behind
house towards hollow. The Calling gun
was brought to bear on them. when they ran
into house near the Church of st. Laurent
which was also fred on By the Calling. when
they ran out into the bush. "a" battery by
this time came up with rush and got into
position sending several shells after the
rebels. The grenGdiers now advanced, march
ing steadily into action, and dsployed into
line, continuing to advances in skirmishing
order tiil the church was reached, when a
priest came out of house waving white
hsg General Middleton advanced and shook
hands, when three other priests and five Sis
tiers of Charity came out. A number of half
breed children were also inside, in charge OF
the Sisters. Father Moulin informed me
that the steamer arrived at point
q little above Batoche at $50 a.
N. The rebels Immediately commenced
firing on her from both banks. She shortly
after struck on mud bank, but swung clear
again, and Just before our arrival passed the
crossing He also said the rebels had six
killed and twelve wounded at Fish Creek.
We Just got glimpse of the steamer down
the TIver. She must have had hard fire.
Her smokestack was gone. The grenad ,ers
advanced, diminishing through the brush
on the right of the trail, the Calling being
pushed forward down tina declivity toward
Ratoche now plainly visible in the valley
below. Here the battery unlimbered on top
Of the ridge, sending shells into them, and
while doing 80 were almost surprised by a
number of rebels who crept up through the
brush, not being dissolved until but twenty
yards distant. They made rush for the guns
firing and yelling as they ran. Captain How
ard, who operates the Calling gun, saw the
danger, ran the guns couple of yards in
front of the battery, and opening fire. liter
ally moved the rebels down. Those remain
ing turned and ran from the gun. Reaching
the shelter of the bush they opened fire
AGAIN Towards escape from injury was
something marvellous, bullets flying all
position, however. The rebels, unable to
stand the terrible fire. retired to pits Goa.
structed in ravine running from the river.
Our line WIS now tollo vs.: The Forty
first and Fifteenth Companies of the Mid
land, with the Winnipeg battery, supported
by Z and @ Companies of the NinetieEh. In
the center and extending across to the right,
where the Grenadiers were supported on
the left by B Company of the Ninetieth,
on the right center oy d Company
OF the Ninetieth and on the extreme right
by + and A companies. "a" battery occu-
pied the left center, sfterward retiring to the
right near IL a. N. AS l Row write. Captain
French, with his scouts and part OF the dis
mounted men of 'An battery, are down in
the TaviDe. Firing is now continuous on
the LETT and center. but scattered on the
night. After q gallant but vain effort TO
drive the rebels from the rife pits, French's
scouts and the battery men retired. The
wounded are now coming in. At noon, the
list Of killed and wounded on our side is as
follows:
"A" Battery = Gunner Phillips, shot
through The stomach, died while being
brought in; Thomas J. Stout, run over by
gun carriage, not fatal; Private Clsppton,
shot through both legs, one fractured Gun
neIs Fairbanks and Toohey, also shot in the
legs.
Grensders-Csptain Mason, Company V,
slight wound in thigh.
French 6couts-R. Cook. slight wound in
the leg CorleY Allen in the shoulder.
2p m.-The rebels fire has gradually
ceesed, the troops however, still keeping up
a scattered fire along the line, gradually
slackening until o'clock, when only few
shots we're beard.
No more of our troops were hurt. VIM.
Bryce, lately q prisoner of Rieps, but who
escaped on Tuesday, was brought In by
scouts He gays that Riers force is little
over 400, half of whom were on the other
d. r. ~ nnfwE han hoI off Ia al an
that when ammunition was served to the
rebels only one keg OF powder remained,
and bullets were also scarce. The women
and children had been sent to the othsr side
of the river and the prisoners were safe so
far an Re knew.
CD. m.-Bolton's horse have CONS back to
our corral 10 bring up all the wagons and
supplies We camp to night here, General
Middleton being determined TO hold the
position
Capt Young has Just climbed on the roof
of the church and deserted body OF Indians
on q level near the river bank, about a mile
away. The Winnipeg battery was at once
ordered out and sent several well directed
shells, scattering them Immediately. The
firing bas now entirely ceased. bat may be
resumed at any moment. Ne news has been
received from the steamer, bat she keeps
blowing her whistle, hence it Is concluded
she is safe. The sound apparently comes
from two or three miles down the river.
Eariy In the morning crowds oil women,
children and mounted men we're seen hur.
rying into the bush on the other side OF tAe
river.
The weather has been warm and bright all
day
6.3Op. ma body Of Rebels Just opened
fire from the bluff near the rayine on our
right front, evidently on our skirmishers
They have fired three volleYs, bat are shoot
ing too high to reach rs. The Winnipeg
battery il Smelling houses in the distance
where large numbers of Rebels are gathered.
A second shell crashed through the first
house, and the Rebels rushed out, Another
shell blew the roof off the house beyond. As
dispatches leave. the scattered firing Is going
on. We expect 70 engage the Rebels to.
morrow and to communicate with the boa!
later.
PURSUING HER BETRAYER.