St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-02
THEIR FAYoRITE WAR DANCE.

becoming restless and putting on the war
paint and dancing
THEIR FAvoRITE WAR DANCE.
AS near as could be learned the tribes
north of the river are greatly excited while
those on the south are quiet but inclined to
listen with much interest to the wild rumors
circulated by Riel's agents. The length of
the campaign depends almost entirely on the
loyalty of the Indians. If they remain loyal
it will be an easy matter to overpower Riel.
but if they join his band loug and bloody
contest will be unavoidable. The messenger
who arrived at Brandon reported that the
authorities at Qu'Appelle were advised that
in case of an uprising by the tribes, to en-
list friendly tribes and pit against them.
This, however, will most likely be avoided if
possible, for, in such an event, the war
would be simply between tribes, and forever
afterward until the Indian race would
be- extinct, the war would last for
the fire of enmity Of the rebel
Indians would never be quenched. The
half-breeds in the Wood mountain region,
just north of the American boundary, have
been preparing for a rising for months.
Although there are not over three hundred of
them, they could costly recruit from, the Mis-
souri, river country. The Indians, most of
them half-breeds along the frontie2, between
the Rocky mountains, number about thirty
thousand, and they are focking into Mani
toba from the American side, near the White
mountains, intending to rally and move
north to Regina,
TEAR UP THE CANADIAN PACIFIC TRACK
there, and attack Gen. Middleton in the rear
while he is engaged with Riel in front. From
Fort Edmonton 1t was learned that the half
breeds at Lac la Biche, who have been dis
contented for long time, have risen, and
much alarm is felt. These Lac la Biche In
dians or half-breeds formed themselves into
a band under the chiefship OF an Indian
named Peegasis, and for time drew gov
ernment rations as Indians. They quar-
relied with their chief, however, and have
since led wandering life. Game of all
kinds is almost extinct in that region, and
whitefsh are getting very scarce. These In
dams are without arms or ammunition
though, and unless Riel can find weapons
for them they will not be of much use to
him.
THE REPORTS FROM BATTLEFoRD
are about the same. The whole Battle river
country is thick 0with insurgents. num-
Der are mistaken in the position of Qu'Ap-
pelle. There is station by that name, and
that is where Gen. Middleton is at resent,
the fort being nineteen miles north. There
is,a little snow on the ground between the
two points, and it is most likely that when
Gen. Middleton moves, which he does not
intend to do until more troops arrive, at
least not any further than Fort Qu'Appelle, he
will have the troops transported by sleigh. The
main troops are comfortably housed in
sheds at Qu' Appelle station, and are any
ious to be at work with the rebel party, but
are learning to form Zarebas until the time
comes. The farmers are focking in with
their teams, and if the campaign lasts long
no seeding will be done this season. Tele-
graph is interrupted between Clark's cross
ing on the main government line, and
Prince Albert
The country between Fort Qu' Appelle and
Prince Albert, 240 miles, is admirably
adapted for the sort of warefare that will be
pursued by the half-breeds. 1t consists of
undulating prairie with deep ravines, hills,
rivers, small lakes and innumerable groves
of poplar, which will afford
PERFECT COVER FOR THE REBELS
They know every advantageous point,
whereas the troops Of Middleton will
have 20 fight f. ~ the blind.
The half-breeds will get under cover and
shoot without being seen, and the artillery
batteries of the government troops will be Of
little avail. The half-breeds are also splen-
did horsemen and will have great advan-
tage over the volunteers. Mr.. McNash does
not think that 5000 regulars could fight
effectively at present with the insurgents. A
trouble is anticipated tina. has been given
little consideration. The ice in the Sas-
katchewan may break up at any moment and
this will enable Riel to hold all the crossings.
The river at the narrowest crossing is eighty
yards wide, and it will be difficult to ford
The opinion in the Northwest territory is
that it would be much better for the govern
ment to employ settlers altogether instead of
volunteers, and If corps of scouts were cap
tanned by an efficient settler, their work would
have more approaching effect on the enemy
than treble their numbers of regulars or vol
nuteers. Many of the settlers haze served as
volunteers and might be depended upon to
act well under fire.