Milford chronicle., 1885-05-01
var 1r rnr NonTHwEsr.

general conduct. Regarding the enemy they
are about to meet, the order says; "Nothing
but the formation Of the country will enable
them to face such force as this for we are
better armed, better provisioned, and can
shoot as well, If not better, than they can.
The only advantage they can possibly have over
Us Is their natural instinct for taking TO cover,
which they do admirably. In this respect we
must watch them closely. No cruelty can be
Thought Of or tolerated, and the greatest care
must be taken that no women or children who
may Glance to be in the vicinity shall receive
any injury" The officers and men are for
hidden to enter houses or farms that may be
passed, or take anything from them.
WrSsrPEa, April %, 1ss5.-The oft repeated
prediction that Fort Pitt would fall into the
hands Of the hostiles ism reality, as shown
by the following telegram received from Bat
tleford this mOrningi
report that the fort has been sacked and is now
in the hands of the Cree Indians, who stated
that the garrison had left by a raft for Battle
ford. Little Poplar told the scouts that there
had been fight and pointed to the spot say
ing, Two police are dead there. he ssla ne ~,
had stopped q general massacre and that All
the whites had gone down the river. 1t is con-
iectured that tho garrison we're preparing 20
leave Fort Pitt BY boat and were attacked
Their fate is at present mystery Beside
Inspector Dickens and 25 police there were
over DU people III lile AuLkf AllIAuAAub AAAAoNA
Of women and children.
A Battleford dispatch says:-The delay OF
the troops to the imprisoned people here seems
inexplicable. The town is quiet and all are IN
good spirits, considering the anxiety which
necessarily prevails and the shortness OF tOod.
The report Of the Frog Lake massacre Is
confirmed by the Fort Pitt garrison,
Mrs. Gowanlock was not killed. The
priests were beaten to death and burned Inc
indians burned all buildings at Frog Lake
and compelled the people to attend church,
victims and murderers going together. AFTER
service the Indians shot ten OF the help
less whites. The Pitt garrison, which has
reached the place, gives us the iirst
definite intelligence We have received OF
the fight at that place. They say that
the Indians made a demonstration against
the fort, and that Factor Mclean, becoming
alarmed, visited Big Bears camp, and had
conference with that chief, from whom he
claimed protection. The chief compelled him
to write letter to the civilians telling them
to come in or be killed, and to the police TO
surrender their arms and leave. The civil
ians complied with the request, and
went to Big Bears camp, but the police
refused to surrender their arms, and hght
ensued. The police drove the Indians back,
! killing four and wounding several. Policeman
| Cowan was killed and Policeman Lonsby was
wounded. The police then fitted up scoW,
with which they reached Batteford. Ihey
were not followed Before leaving they de-
stroyed all the arms aud ammunition they
| cOuld not carry. Factor McLeans umidlty
embarrassed the police and proved fatal to
/ the liberty of oyer twenty-five whites, men,
women, and children. 1t is feared that young
/ Quinn, a scout, is in the hands Of the Indians.
/ Frank Swart merchant, was shot and billed
by Indians while performing patrol duty IN the
/ night. There was q general raid on the town,
and Indians congregated about the place.
/ Considerable firing took place, the patrol be-
! ing forced.
W1NN1pEa, April GA Clarke's Crossing
/ messenger brings the following particulars
\ Of an engagement with the rebels, which Oc-
CURED fifteen miles south Of Batouche:
The insurgents had taken a ground on the
/ edge of a deep ravine from which they poured
/ a deadly fire into the advancing column. When
the messenger left the fight was still raging.
/ Three houses of the enemy had been shelled
and many rebels driven from them to refuge
| into the ravine.
The Indian allies Of Riel fought vigorously
| in Indian fashion. The whole number in the
ravine was estimated at 300. Middleton's hat
was shot through, but he escaped uninjured.
] Capt Wise had a horse shot under him. The
4 raYine is entirely surrounded, and there is no
possibility Of escape for the rebels. The
Tenth Royals from the west bank had just
I arrived as the messenger was leaving.
The losses of the troops were six killed and
| at least twenty wounded. The rebel losses
| were unknown.
Later reports say the engagement was sharp
! The excellence of the rebel craftsmanship
/ seems to have been proved on this occasion,
| the casualties among the troops being consld-
/ cradle for so brief an affair. The rebels had
| prepared an ambush, and appear to have sur
prised General Middleton's advance, and the
! General himself narrowly escaped death, his
hat being pierced by ball. Riels force took
/ advantage of o wooded ravine as cover and
having retreated to this practically inaccessible
/ shelter after being driven from their position
on the level ground, the action seems to have
/ ceased.
CONSUL rAYLoR's REPORT.
United States Consul James ". Taylor, at
| Winnipeg, sent the following report OF the en-
gagement to Secretary Bayard;-
The battle with Riels force at Fish Creek
continued all day Friday. The Canadian loss
was twelve killed and forty-seven wounded.
1 Middleton retired about mile to open a space
near the east bank Of the Saskatchewan. He
was reinforced by column from the other
| side of the river, but the number Of troops
! still does not exceed six hundred Ihe
rebel forces, including scouting party, en-
gagged probably three hundred, but there are
| Tumors of hostile Indians in the rear Of Mid
dleton The situation is very grave. There
was a storm of rain and high wind last night.
| There is hope of the arrival Of the steamer
Northcote from Swift Current with a Gatling
gun. but there is danger OF her being inter
rupted or getting aground on the sandbars Of
the G sashaatGi9ie%S9liosn.s ska ii w 's9'i'''%
luer., -.
! teu, Ioslfl r3I6llss 3I6ss is unknown, on account Of
IifGeir advantageous position on Fish Creek IN
a wooded ravine. The insurgents were led by
! Gabriel Dumont Their fire was most deadly.
Nearly all who were killed were shot through
the head or heart: There is hospital Ior ine
| wounded at Clarks Crossing. Ihe occupauon
| of Battleford by other troops, relieving the
garrison and the settlers, may check further
hostiities by the North Saskatchewan Indians.
There is telegraphic communication with Bat
tleford. but the battle field is twenty-five miles
from the nearest station. News comes ony
bv courier to Clark's Crossing. General Mid
dieton announces his purpose to the OttaWa
authorities to advance Immediately on Rleli
Headquarters and Batouche Crossing: Hl'
rear is now east or south Of South Saskatche
wan I'LL.
troops were retreating sixty rebels came oul
from their ambush and jeered at them i
would take nearly ten days for reinforcement'
to reach them, as all the available troops are a
swift Current. and it is doubtful if they car
be forwarded by water, the river being yer,
low. If the rebels cut off the retreat and cap
ture the supply depots the entire army mus
perish. Judging from the first battle, thos'
Who understand the position are inclined L
believe the whole army will be cut to pieces
The gravity Of the position in the country cal
now be appreciated Few doubt there will b
A bloody Indian war, as, fired by victory at tn
outset runners will be sent out to all the tribes
who will probably join the revolt.
A courier brings news that Gabriel Dumont
the lieutenant Of Riel, was among those kille'
] in the engagement of Friday Dumont ha
Z command Of the rebel force during the battle
In his report Of the engagement, Gen. Mid
dleton says: The troops behaved very well Il
this. their first affair. The killed and Wounde
are, I regret to say, too numerous.
ELEVEN MEN BURIED.
, Accounts Of a terrible disaster come from th
, Homestake Mine, on the Eagle River Branc
of the Denver and Rio Grande Road IN Colo
9 aao During the Winter months force {
- - ..-...l....-. Of The Lnlna nncI