Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-14
OrrAvA. Nav l3

News has been received from Gen. Middle
ton stating that he has taken possession of
the whole settlement of Basouche, and driven
out the rebels completely. He says the vol
unteers behaved most magnifcently. There
was heavy loss of life.
WINNIPEe, May Is.
A despatch frnm Batouche dated May l2,
via. Clark's Crossing, Gays: "Batouche has
fallen. The rebels have ded, being driven
from their ride pits and ambush at the point
of the bayonei. The charge was CALAMITY
made by the grenadiers. Riel sent messen-
ger to Gen Middleton early in the day, say
ing: III you persist in firing upon houses
containing our women and children, we will
massacre the prisoners in our hands, The
General in reply told him to gather his
women and children into one house xnd il
would not be fired upon. Later, Riel sent an
answer, thanking Middleton for his humane
promise to save the women and children. but
afterwards, ~ q general attack was being
made, he sent another messenger saying he
he did not like war, but unless the troops re-
tired Lis original intention OF massacreing the
prisoners would be adhered to. 1t was too
late, however, as the charge had already COM
menced. and in q few minutes the rebels
were scattered and the prisoners rescued.
The following is a list of the casualties today /:
Killed-Capt. John French, Second Lieut..
Fish, Capt. Brown, w. ii. Keppen, Privates
Frazier and Hoodisty.
Wounded-Capt. Giles, Private Young,
Sergeant Wilson and Sergeant jacques
WINNIPEG, May l3.
Delayed dispatches from Calgary saws
that Gen. Strange, with detachment of
mounted police and the 65th battalion, left
Edmonton on the 9Th for Fort Pitt to give
Big Bear and his tribe a dressing Col
Osborne Smith and his detachment arrived in
Edmonton the same day that Strange left.
Company A of the Winnipeg light infantry
arrived at Calgary from Gleicher, Monday
evening and will 90 north Tu, sday.
NEW YORK, May 13.
A Montreal special says that despatch in
cipher from the Hudson Bay companys agent
at Gen. Middleton's camp near Batouche
Crossing, to prominent official of the COM
pany here, says the fight of Saturday was
much more serious than has been reported.
IF it had not been for Capt. Howard of the
U. S. army, defeat would have been certain.
The capture of the guns was inevitable, but
for his coolness and bravery. The rebels
fought like devils and our men were unable
to do anything with them. We have not an
officer who understands the mode of warfare.
Middleton dares not advance"
The telegram says in substance that the
battle of Saturday was defeat for the gov
ernment forces, who really gained no advan-
tage except in position. Government off,
cials at Ottawa are evidently in receipt of
bad news from the front.
TORONTO. May Is.
The news of the capture of Batouche has
created intense excitement here. Great re-
gret is expressed at the death of Lieut. Fish,
who was very popular among all classes here.
OTTAWA, May 13.
In the House this afternoon, Hon. Mr..
Caron read the following official dispatch
from Gen Middleton, from Batouche, via.
Clarke's Crossing: 1 have just made an at
tack and carried the whole settlement The
men behaved splendidly. am sorry to say
have not got Riel. While was reconnoit-
ering this morning, VIM. Ashley galloped up
with flag of truce and handed me letter
from Riel, saying: If you massacre our
families shall massacre the prisoners. l
sent an answer that if he would put his women
and children in one place and let me know
where it was, no shots would be fred on
them then returned to camp and pushed
my advance parties, who were heavily fired
on. Iso pushed on till l saw my chance and
then ordered general advance, The men
responded nobly, splendidly led BY their Off
GERS and Col. Stranbenzie. They drove the
enemy out of their rifle pits, forced their way
across the plain and seized the houses, and
we are now masters of the place.
Right in the heat of the action, Mr.. Ashley
came back with another missive from Riel,
as follows: General, your prompt answer to
my note shows that was right in mentioning
the cause of humanity. We will gather our
families in one place, and as soon as done we
will let you know.
(Signed) LOUIS DAVID REL.
On the envelope he had written: 81 do not
like war, and if you do not retreat and refuse
an interview, the question remains the same
concerning the prisoners.
Our loss. am afraid, is heavy, but not so
heavy as might be expected; yet find it is
five killed and ten wounded. The prisoners
have all been released and are safe 10 my
camp. Among them is Jackson, a white
man, who was Riel's secretary, but who is
now mad and rather dangerous.
(Signed) FRED MIDDLETON.
WINNIPEG, May l3.
The news of the capture of Batouche by
bayonet charge was something of a surprise
to the people here. Gen. Middleton was ex-
pected to pursue other tactics. 1t is believed
here that the half-breeds have been so thor
oughly beaten that they will make no further
stand. Riel, it is supposed, got away TO
Montana by Disgusting himself, making his
wsy to Ou ADpelje and thence by rail To