The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-07
RIEL's REBELLION.
Further Particulars of Col. Otter's hattie
A General Indian Uprising Feared.

OTTAWA, May 6.-Further particulars OF
Col. Otter's battle on the Sd inst. indicate that
the Indians fought with GOODNESS and bravery,
but we're poorly armed. Many squaws took
as the braves. Although exhausted after a
long. march. Col. Otter's column fought
steadily for several hours until the Indians
seemed to have bad enough and retired for a
short distance. Col. Otter took advantage OF
this to draw his men back for rest and refresh
meDt. The Indians do not deem themselves
defeated, and it is now believed that the first
blow, which will end in long and bloody In
dian war has been struck. Poundmaker is
one of the most restless chiefs in the North
west. He has already been a source of trouble
to the government, but was borne with be-
cause of the large number of his followers.
Poundmaker was the cause of the first Indian
outrages in the present difficulties, and to bis
door may be laid the entire Indian rising.
There was intense excitement in the House
Otter's battle with the Indians was made
known. The debate on the franchise bill was
in progress at the time, bat owing TO the ex-
element that prevailed 1t was found to be i'm
possible to proceed with the business, aud Sir
Hector LaDgevin moved an adjournment,
which was carried.
WINNIPEG, May GA friendly half breed
arrived at Medicine Hat from the forks of
Red Deer river yesterday, and told Major
Stewart that large number of half breeds
and Indians were moving south and had reach
ed that point. Intelligence has been received
from Fort AssiniboiIe also that large party
OF Indians were moving north of Cypress Hill
about 80 miles south of Hat. Some alarm has
been occasoned by these movements.
TORONTO, May 6.-Considerable excitement
was caused here by the news of a fight at
Poundmaker's reserve, and the bulletin boards
at the newspaper offices were surrounded by
anxious crowds Sergt. Cooper of the Queens
- Al -
known in athletic circles here, being one Of
the best amateur boxers in Canada. His wife
is member of the Grand Opera Company.
Private Watts was bookkeeper for the Queen
City Fire Insurance Co.
OTTAWA, May o. In the House Of Commons
this evening Sir John A. Macdonald read
telegram from Col. Harchmer of the mounted
police, dated the Sd inst, from Bsttleiord. The
column fought Poundmaker for seven hours
and demolished his camp. The police behaved
beyond praise, receiving the first fire and hold
ing advanced position while the column
formed for attack, and remaining there
throughout the engagement. Our loss is as
follows: Killed-Corporal r. b. Seght, I.
Lowery, Trumpter p. Brooke; wounded,
Sergt. @. FL. Ward. The total brigade loss is
eight killed aud fifteen wounded. We moved
80 miles in 80 hours, seven hours of which we
were fighting. The enemy's loss is fully 100.
BATTLEFoRD, May 6.-Further details of the
Ddbtto DobWeoo OLL6rS IOrceS ana round
makers Indians show favorably for Otter.
The Indians used muskets, war clubs, apears,
bows and arrows and weapons of every con-
ceiysble kind. Otter's force kept well under
cover of the bush, and from an intreuched
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 many more were wound
ed. Oiter's loss was seven killed and eighteen
wounded. The troops burned the buildings
on he reserve before leaving. No one has any
doubt now that a bloody Indian war will fol-
low. Ga Appelle Indians who Yesterday
raided and sacked a number of settlers houses
are today reported to have risen and left the
reserve. Orowfoot, chief of the Blackfeet, is
related to Poundmaker, and will, it is said,
join him in battle against the whites. The
Dominion government and Col. Otter are
blamed for not securing the ransom Of Factor
Mclean and other white captives of indians
before preciDitating matters, for they will
probably all be murdered if they have not al
ready been. Great alarm is felt here in con-
sequence.
Positive advices from Clarke's Crossing to-
day says that Middleton began his adj ance
this morning, and battle is expected at
Batou che tomorrow.