The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-11
Details of the Batouche Affair.


Details of the Batouche Affair.
WINNIPEG, Man.. May 10.-Batouches Cross
ing, via Clark's Crossing, May give left camp
at 6 this morning leaving all supplies and tents
behind We marched seven miles without see
ing or hearing anything of the enemy. The
morning was bright and warm Suddenly came
the sound Of a steamer whistle, blowing contin-
uously. AS we came near, we heard the sound
of heavy firing on our front in the direction of
he river. Our line of march was as follows
First, Boultons Scouts, accompanied by Cat
ling gun; grenadiers formed the advance guard
with battery; the Ninetieth Battalion support
ed 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 precip-
itous. An advanced party of rebels was met,
who fired and retired behind house towards
a hollow. The Calling gun was brought to bear
on them, when they ran into a house near the
Church of st. Laurent, which was also fired on
by the Gatling. when they ran out into the bush.
''A' battery by this time came up With a rush,
and got into position sending several shells
after the rebels. The Grenadiers now advanced,
marching steadily into action, and deployed
into lire, continuing to advance in skirmishlng
order till the church was reached, when priest
came out of house, waving a white flag. Gen.
Middleton and staff advanced and shook hands,
when three other priests and five Sisters of Char
ity came out. number of haff-breed children
were also inside in charge of the sisters Father
Moulin informed me that the steamer arrived at
point little above Batouche at $50 A. NJ The
rebels Immediately commenced firing on her
from both banks. She shortly after struck a
mud bank but swung clear again, and just be-
fore our arrival passed the crossing. He also
said the rebels had six killed and twelve wounded
at Fish creek We just got a glimpse of the
steamer down the river; she must have had
hard fire. Her smoke stack was gone The
grenadiers advanced, skirmishing through the
brush on the right OF the trail The
declivity toward Batouche, now plainly
visible in the valley below. Here the battery
numbered top of the ridge sending shells into
them, and while doing SO, were almost surprised
by a number of rebels who crept up
through the bush, not being discovered until but
twenty yards distant They made rush for
the guns, firing and yelling as they ran. Captain
Howard, who operates the Calling gun saw the
danger, ran the gun couple of yards in front of
the battery and opening fire, literally moved the
rebels down Those remaining turned and ran
from the gun. Reaching the shelter of the bush.
They opened fire again, and Howard's
escape from injury was something marvellous,
bullets flying all around him. He CALAMITY
unable to stand the terrible fire, retired to pits
constructed in a ravine running from the river.
Our line was now as follows: Forty first and
Fifteenth companies of the Midland, with the
Winnipeg battery. supported by q and G COM
companies of the Ninetieth.i in the center, and ex
tending across to the right where the Grenadiers
were supported on the left by company of the
Ninetieth; on the right center, by ID company of
the Ninetieth, and on the extreme right by f
and A companies. "a" battery, occupies the
left center, afterwards retiring to the right
IL A. NJ. .
AS l now write, Captain French, with his
scouts and part of the dismounted men of IA"
battery, are down in the ravine. Firing is now
continuous on the left and center, but scattered
on the right After a gallant but vain fight to
drive the rebels from the rifle pits, FIench'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; Thos
j. Stout run over by gun carriage, not fatal;
Private Caapptar shot through both legs, one
fractured gunners Fairbanks and Tooley also
shot in the legs.
Grenadiers-Captain Mason, Company 2,
slight wound in thigh.
Frenchs Sec uts-R. Cook slightly wounded in
leg; Curley Allen, in the shoulder
2P. M.-The rebels fire has gradually ceased
the troops, however, still keeping up scattered
fire along the line, gradually Stacking, until 4
o'clock, when only few dropping shots were
heard.
No more of our troops were hurt William
Bryce, lately prisoner of ReilS but who es-
capped on Tuesday, was brought in by scouts He
says that Reil's force is little over 400, half of
whom were on the other side of the river when
he left. He also says that when ammunition
was served to the rebels, only one keg of powder
was left, and bullets also scarce. The
women and children had been sent tie the other
side of the river and the prisoners were safe, as
Tar as he knew.
6P. M.-Boultons horses have gone back to
our corral TO bring up all the wagons and sup
plies. We camp to. night here, General Middle
ton being determined to hold the position
Captain Young has just climbed the roof of
the church and deserted body of Indians ON
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 fir
ing has now entirely ceased but
may be resumed at any moment No news has
been received from the steamer but she keeps
blowing her whistle, hence it is concluded she
is safe. The sound apparently comes from two
or three miles down the river. Early in the
morning crowds of women children and mounted
men We're seen hurrying into the bush on the
other side of the river. The weather has been
warm and bright all day.
$50 p MA body of rebels just opened fire
from the bluff, near the ravine, our right
front, evidently on our skirnishers. They have
fred three yolleys. but are shooting too high to
reach us. The Winnipeg battery is 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 to engage the
rebels to morrow, and to communicate with the
Disastrous Forest Fires.