The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-14
RIEL'S REBELLION.
Bloody Battle with the Indians-A General Up
rising of the Tribes Feared.

Bi0odJ Battle with the IHalans-A GeneTl Up
rising of the Tribes Feared.
The trouble between the half breeds and the
Canadian Government seems to be growing
worse day by day, and there is every prospect
at the present writing that long and bloody
war Will ensue Throughout the Northwest
the greatest fears entertained by the settlers,
and not without cause, as they have had uurner-
Gus deadly examples of the ferocious and SAN
culinary spirit of the half breeds. Communica-
ton with the Canadian Northwest is so diff
cult that scarcely anything but the most meager
accounts and rumors reach US of what is going
on. Last week Col. Otter who had been sent
to punish the rebels, met them near Battleford,
and desperate fight ensued between the Can
adian forces and Poundmakers Indians, in
which it was first reported that the latter gained
a signal victory over the Dominion troops. Later
reports, however, show the rumors to have
been false, and it appears that the victory
perched on the banner Of the Canadians. The
details, which have recently come to hand, show
that after forced march OF 30 miles, Col. OF
terS forces reached the reservation of the Pound
maker Indians and offered battle to them,
which was readily responded to. The fight
lasted seven hours. The Indians used muskets,
war clubs, spears, bows and arrows, and weapons
of every conceivable kind. Offers force kept
we'll under cover of the bush, and from an in
trenehed position poured deadly volleys of
bullets into the redskins who fell in scores all
around. Fully 100 are known to have been
killed, and it is thought twice as many are
wounded. Offers loss is seven killed and ID
wounded. No mention is made in dispatches of
the killed and wounded being brought back.
and it is Judged from the hasty march back
that they were left behind. Nothing but the
last extremity would induce Otter to leave
them. The troops set fire and burned the build
ing On the reserve before leaving. The On APP
pell Indians, who raided aud sack ed a number of
settlers houses, are reported to have risen and
left the reserve. Crowfoot Chief the Blackfeet,
is related to Poundmaker, and will, it is said,
join him in battle against the whites. The Do
minion Government and Gen. Otter are blamed
for not securing the ransom of Factor Mclean
and other white captiyes of the Indians before
precipitating matters They will probably all
be murdered. if they have not already been.
Gen. Middleton, who has been in camp for
some time near Batouche's Crossing, came up
with the Indians on the 9th, and had quite a
smart engagement, in which the Indians were
driven back. Soon after leaving camp the
troops came up with small body of Indians,
who fred on them and retired behind house.
The Calling guns were brought to bear Oh them,
when they ran into house near the Church of
Saint Laurent, which was also fired upon by the
Calling, when they ran out into the bush. A bat
terry by this time drove up with rush and got
into position, sending several shells after the
rebels. The Grenadiers now advanced. march
ing steadily into action, deployed into skirmish-
ing order and continued to advance till the
church was reached when q priest came out of
house. waving white flag. Gen. Middleton
and staff advanced and shook hands with him,
when three other priests and five Sisters of
Charity came out. number of half-breed
children were also inside in charge of the SIS
tiers. The Grenadiers advanced, skirmisl ng
through the bush on the right Of the trail the
Calling gun being pushed forward down the
declivity toward Batouche, now plainly visible
in the valley below. Here the battery unlim-
bered on top of the ridge, sending shells into
the enemy, and while doing so were almost sur
| prised by a number of rebels who crept up
| through the bush, not being discovered until
| but 20 yards distant. They made rush for
the guns, firing and yelling as they ran. Capt.
| Howard, of the United States Army, who oper-
ated 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 Towards escape from
| injury was something marvellous. Bullets were
flying all arouHd him, but he calamity main
tanned the position, and the rebels. unable to
stand the terrible fire, returned to pits con-
structed in a ravine running from the river
The rebels finally reiterated, but did not en-
tirely give up the fight, firing a few shots from
every point where they could get cover. At the
time of going to press another fight is likely to
OCCUR