The Mineral argus., 1885-05-07

Ottawa. ont, April .6-Following is the
Official statement of the engagement at Fish
Creek Friday, made 10 the minister OF militia:
Fi-h Creek, Twenty five miles North OF
Clarkc's Crossing, Northwest Territory, April
~ i have had an affair with the rebels at this
spot, on the east ank of the river. My advanced
scouts were fired upon from bluff: but we
managed 10 hold our own until the main body
arrived, when ! took measures 10 repel the at
tack, which was over at about 2:'io ociocB
y. m. We have captured lot of their ponies
and have three or four, apparently Indians and
half breeds. in corner of the bluffs, who have
done a great deal of mischief, brnS evidently
their best shots: and a. l am unwilling
10 lose any more mon III trying 10 take them,
have surrounded the blum, and shall wait until
they have expended their AMMUNITION To cap
turc them Lord Melgund joined A. soon a he
could from the other side of the river. with the
Tenth Royals and Winnipeg half battery, but
the affair was over before they arrived A.
mos, of this part of loft column il thus across,
and as II Is work of difficulty 10 cross, have
ordered the rest 10 follow and shall march To
morrow with the united force on Batouche.
The troops behaved very well in this, their fret
affair.
do not know what the loss of the enemy
was but l doubt not II was pretty severe,
though, judging from the great advantage OF
their position and mode Of fighting. II might
well be less than ours. l shall proceed TO-
morrow after burying the dead. and sending
the wounded back 10 Clarks Crossing, by NOV
ing on this side lose the telegraph line, but
l shall keep up constant communication by way
of Clark's Crossing II possible. regret very
much the wounding of my two aides -de-camp
Capt Wises horse was shot previous 10 his
being wounded. tSgned
FRED MIDDLETON. Major General Command
ing the Northwest Field Force.
Clark's Crossing. April 2a.-Serseant Dal-
ton, of Boultons troop, courier from Gen
Middleton. has just arrived here. Arthur
Watson, of the school of infantry OF Toronto,
died last night making total of dead, TO date.
81 seven The wounded are all doing well, and
will be removed 10 this place a. soon a. possi-
BILE II has been ascertalned to-day that the
fight on Friday was very much more disastrous
10 the rebels than at first SUPPOSED Twenty
FIVE are known 10 have been killed, as
that number of bodies were counted,
amongst whom was Gabriel Dumonf,
Riers lieutenant IL il reported also
that Rel was in the ravine during Fridays en-
gagement and has returned to Ba'oche for
| reinforcements. -Four OF our men to-day went
| 10 the edge of the ravne. and captured six
horses and twelve head of cattle without mocs
tation The cattle subsequently got away
Ottawa. Special Telegram, April 26-The
| latest news here from the Northwest il that
seven troops were killed and fifty wounded.
| On the rebel side il is said that twenty-five
| were killed A dispatch TO the government
says tina. the troops have got possession of the
ravine and that a decisive engagement wouio
take place which could only last few hours
Gabriel Dumont, Riel's lieutenant, i reported
killed and that Rel has gone 10 Eatochc ioi
more forces dispatch from Middleton 70
Mrs Middleton SAYS that. owing 20 the ds-
| tance from the telegraph offices, the dolhss OF
| the next twenty-four hour- might not De NEAR
| for few days