The Portland daily press., 1885-04-20
RIEL'S REBELLION.
Reported Repulse of Gen. Middle
ton Denied.
Government Faith in McDougal's
Mission.
Doubtful Loyalty Of the Blackfeet In
dians.

OTTAWA, Ont, April 18.-Excitement was
intense here to-day over the report that Gen.
Middleton had met with repulse and heavy
losses this morning in attempting to capture
Clsrk's Crossing. Inquiry at the department
OF the militia gave contradiction to this state
ment, which had been published in the after
noon papers. The minister of militia received
a telegram from Gen. Middleton tonight
stating that he had arrived at Clark's Crossing
without encountering the rebels. The impress
sion in the department, however, is that he
has made mistake in splitting up his COM
mand. He has now only 300 men with him,
and would have great difficulty in holding his
own if attacked by the rebels before he is join
ed by Col. Otters division, who have gone
round to relieve Battle Ford and then to form
a junction with Middleton at Batouche's Cross
ing. A high military authority states that it
would be certain defeat for Middleton to at
tempt to face the rebels with equal numbers.
1t is we'll known fact, he adds, that one man
In ten OF our volunteer militia can hit target
at 800 yards, while every hslt-breed of Riel's
following is brought up with rifle in hand,
which he knows we'll how to use. The govern
ment, however, place great faith in the execu-
ton OF the Gatling guns sharpnel shell. Tbs
greatest fear of the government now is the
possibility of supplies being cut off. Should
the rebels succeed in capturing the supply
trains there would undoubtedly be great suf-
fering, SIS there is no chance of obtaining food
in the interior beyond that sent in from out
ciuo. w u1lo tH6To IL uOLnlng POSITIVE JnaC
the Crowfoot is likely to show treachery after
loyalty he has professed, the Indian depart
ment here place littls confidence in him. He
is the recognized chief of the Blaokfeet nation,
while under him are Eagle Tail, chief of the
Piegan tribe. numbering 1000, and Red Grow,
chief OF the Blood tribe, numbering 2200, both
forming part of the Blackfeet nation. The
Indian department states that even in the
event of the Blackfeet remaining loyal and 90
ing on the warpath against the Crees, the lat
ter, taking man for man, would win, as they
are most determined, and in every way are
better fighters. The Crees who are now in the
warpath are intermarried with half-breeds,
many of the latter living with them, which
has had the effect of influencing them in al
lance with Riel. The government has great
faith in Rev. Mr. McDougal, with his Stony
Indian scouts, as 1t is believed he will be able,
by going in advance of the troops who are
marching northward, to quiet the Indians, by
whom he is worshipped, and prevent great
bloodshed.
WINNIPEG, Man, April 18.-Press dis
patches from Battle Ford say every house and
store on the south side of Battle River has
have now been destroyed. All persons other
than those occupying the town on the north
side are no meless, and many are destitute. II
the absence of communication continues
Choake dog and bacon will become staple
food in the near future. 1t is estimated that
off by the Indians. Agricultural enterprise
has been thoroughly checked. A II seed in the
country Is destroyed and farmers generally are
ruined. The season is propitious, but all work
is suspended. 1t is reported that Instructor
Payne's body was chopped up and thrown
about the barnyard. Instructor Jefferson is
prisoner with Poundmaker. The persons
within the stockade number 506. instructor
Mckay and family of Sweet Grass reserve
started down the Saskatchewan River in a
small boat to Prince Albert. He was threat
ened with death for warning Agent Rae. Rae
was prescribed by Poundmaker. Tn Crees
herea6outs, it is reported. will not act decisive
ly until they return from Fort Pitt with Big
Bear. Fort Pitt is still unheard from. There
is much anxiety with respect to the fate of the
garrison.
ST. PAUL, Minn., April 19.-The Globes
Winnipeg special gives the following;
A Clarke's Crossing dispatch gives an ac-
count OF the capture of three Indians some
distance north of that point. One of them
turned out to be a cousin to White Cap Chief
OF the Sioux Indians now with Riel. They
explained that White Caps band was induced
to visit Riel by a promise of plenty of provi-
sions and had been forced to remain with
him. The three oaptives had been up to the
reservation for horses and were on their way
back when taken. They said Riel was at his
house at Batouche. He had 250 half-breeds
with him and still retained seven prisoners.
Gen. Middleton allowed one of the Indians to
90 and report to White Cap on what he had
seen and tell him to return to his reserve. He
promised to reward him if he brought Riels
prisoners with him.