St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-11
Belief That the Steamer Northcote Is
Safe and VIII Yet Aid in
the Fight.
Col. Crooks View of the Case--doW
the situation Appears to hes1-
dents of Winnipeg.
Desperate Fight.

Special to the Globe.
BATocHE's CROSSING, via Clarkes
Crossing. May 9.-We left the camps at q
o'clock this morning, leaving all the sup
plies and tents behind. We marched seven
miles without seeing or hearing anything OF
the enemy The morning was bright and
warm. Suddenly came the sound OF the
steamers whistle, blowing continuously.
AS we drew near we heard the sound OF
heavy firing on our front, in the direction
of the river Our line of march was as fol-
lows: First, Boulton'S scouts, accompanied
by the Gatling gun; the grenadiers forming
an advance guard with @ battery; the
Ninetieth battalion supported them
with the Winnipeg battery and
Midland battalion in reserve. The gun,
steamer. scouts and Calling gun then pushed
rapidly ahead and came upon two houses
On the bank of the river, which here Is very
precipitous. An advanced party of rebels
were met. who fired and retired behind the
house towards the hollow. The Gatling gun
was brought to bear Oh them, when they ran
into the house near the church OF st. Lau-
rent, which was
ALSO FIRED ON
DIV the Gatling, when they ran out into the
bushes. A battery by this time came up With
q rush and got into position, sending sew
eraI shells after the rebels. The grenadiers
now advanced. marching steadily into the
action and deployed into line, continuing to
advance in skirnishing order until the
church was reached, when priest came out
Of the house, waving white flag. Gen.
Middleton and staff advanced and shook
haIds, when three other priests and hye
Sisters of Charity came out. A number Oh
half-breed children were also inside, III
charge of the sisters. Father Moniin IN
formed me that the steamer arrived at
point little above Batoche's at $50 a. m,
and the rebels commenced firing On it from
both banks. It 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 THF RIVER,
She must have had hard fight, as the
smoke-stack was gone. Grenadiers ad-
vanced, skirmishing through the bush on
the right of the trail, the Gatling being
pushed down the declivity toward Batoches,
now plainly visible in the valley below.
Here A battery unlimbered on top of the
ridge, sending shells into them, and whilst
doing so were almost surprised by a num-
ber of rebels who crept up through the
bush, not being discovered until twenty
yards distant. They made rush for our
guns, firing and yelling as they ran. Capt.
Howard, who operates the Gatling 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, reaching the shelter of the bush. They
opened fire again, and Howard's escape
from injury was something marvellous, as
the bullets were flying all around him. He
gallantly maintained his position, and the
rebels, unable to stand
THE TERRIBLE FIRE,
returned to the pits constructed in the
ravine running from the river. Our line
was now as follows: Forty-first and Fif-
teenth companies Of the Midland, with the
Winnipeg battery supported by E and c
companies Of the Ninetieth in the center
and extending across to the right, where
the grenadiers were supported on the left
by B company; Ninetieth battalion On the
right center by D company, Nintieth, and
the extreme right by T and A companies.
The A battery occupied the left center,
afterward returning to the right rear.
II a. m.-As now write Capt. French
with his scouts and part of the dismounted
men of A battery are down in the ravine,
firing continuously on the left and
center, but scattered on the right After
gallant but vain efforts to drive the rebels
from the rifle pits, Frenchs scouts and the
batterymen retired. The wounded are now
coming. At noon the list of killed and
wounded on our side is as follows:
GUNNER PHILLIPS, battery. shot
through the stomach while in the ravine-died
while being brought in.
GUNNER THOMAS J. STOUT, A battery,
run over by gun carriage, not fatal.
GUNNER CHAPPATIER, A battery, shot
through both legs one fractured.
GUNNER FAIRBANKS, A battery, shot In
eg.
GUNNER TOOHY, A battery, shot in leg.
CAPTAIN MASON, Company 2, grenadiers,
light wound in the thigh.
R. COOK, French's scouts, slightly wounded
IN the leg.
CURLEY ADAMS, French's scouts, shot in
;he shoulder.
Ats p. m. the rebels fire gradually
ceased, the troops, however, still keeping
up scattering fire along the line and grad
nally slackening until o'clock when only
few dropping shots were heard. No more
Of our troops are hurt. William Bruce.
lately a prisoner of Riers, but who escaped
Oh Tuesday, was brought in by scouts. He
Says that RiefS 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 last served to the rebels only
Dne keg OF powder remained. Bullets are
also scare. The women and children had
been sent to the other side of the river.
The prisoners are safe, so far as he knew.
Beardy is not with Riel, but has been sent
for Riel, Dumont Garneau and other
leaders are in RiePs camp.
6 o'clock p. m.-Boulton's horses have
gone back to our corral to bring up all the
wagons and supplies We camp here to-
plight, Gen. Middleton being determined to
hold the position. Capt. Young inst
Bcried
A BODY OF INDIANS
On the level, near the river bank, about
mile away. Winnipeg battery was at
once ordered and sent several well-directed
shells, scattering them Immediately. Firing
has now entirely ceases, but may be re-
sumed at any moment. No news has been
received from the steamer, but she keeps
blowing her whistle, hence it is concluded