Milford chronicle., 1885-05-15
FIGHTING the INDIANS.
Colonel Otter Gives Them Battle near tho
Saskatchewan.


dispatch from Battleford SAYS a hyinj
column, under command Of Col. Otter, mum
bering about 800, comprising the mounted
| police under Herschmer, men from thu
Queens Own" rifles, B Battery, the Ottawi
| Foot Guards, and Company besides th,
mounted volunteers from Battieford, had al
| engagement with POundmaker's forces on theil
| reserve. The Indians numbered 609. The
| fight lasted from O'Clock in the morning unit
noon, and was most hotly contested through.
out The loss on Otter's side is eight killed
and twelve wounded, and the Indian loss is es-
timated at fifty. Otter's column marched 3i
miles, fought the battle, and returned to Bat
tleford, all inside Of SO hours.
The steamer Northcote has been extricated.
and reached Clark's Crossing Tuesday. Gen.
Middleton now having plenty Of ammunition
and supplies, an advance will be made at once.
1t is expected that the rebels will offer battle
at Batouche. Gen. Middleton has two Calling
guns
later report says: Poundmaker is one Of
she most restless chiefs in the Northwest. He
has always been a source of trouble to the gov
ernment, but was borne with because OF the
large number of followers he had. Pound
maker was the cause Of the first Indian out
RACES in the present difficulties, and at his door
may be laid the entire Indian rising.
Further particulars Of Colonel Otter's battle
indicate that the Indians fought with GOODNESS
and bravery, but they were poorly armed.
Many squaWs took part in the fight and be-
haved equally well with the braves. Although
exhausted after the long march, Colonel OF
ter's column fought steadily for seven hours,
by which time the Indians seemed to have
had enough aud retired for a short distance.
Colonel Otter took advantage of this to draw
his men back for rest and refreshment
The report Of Sundays battle between 800
Of Col. Otter's forces and 600 Indian rebels, at
Poundmaker's reserve was officially confirmed
Uor, ,f
port says:-The attack was begun by the In
dians suddenly, and it looked as though trap
had been set for us, into which we ran. The
enemy was estimated at 600 and fought
fercely from cover, while we were compare
lively open to their fire. fighting ( ON the
brow Of hill over boulders. Five minutes
after the first shot was fired we appeared to be
completely surrounded. Fifty men were sent
back to clear the rear. They made brave
dash and accomplished their object thus less
ening the danger Of the situation.
The fighting was over large and uneven
stretch of country, and our men were working
at great disadvantage, but they stuck to
it like heroes, and with the bullets whistling
in on them from almost every direction, never
flinched for an instant. Every corps continued
steadily on the aggressive, and by 10 o'clock
the enemy was almost sleneed. They soon
resumed again, and the fighting was again
heavy. The artillery two 7-pounders and the
the enemy from cover.
At IL o'clock the enemy was again almost
silenced' Col. Otter had already given orders
70 withdraw from position Of such disad-
vantage. The Indians, observing this, en-
deayored to cut off the retreat Of the men.
Our troops fought their way out inch by inch,
front always to the enemy
The men were badly used up before the |
withdrawal began.
Edmonton advices say; "Ihe region north |
and east of here is full Of hostile Indians; in |
fact, all Indians west Of BattlefOrd are in war |
paint. The settlers have all fled. John Walk |
ngshaw and Albert Harkness, both from On |
.ario, were both killed by Big Bears band, |
over week ago. Their wives and the |
wives of two missionaries are pris- !
oners Scouts from the Northeast say |
Otter will have a fearful time of it. Pound |
maker, Little Child, and all the other chiefs |
ire on the war path, and a number of half |
breeds are directing them. Major Steele was |
10 have sent word back when he reached Ed |
monton, but nothing has been heard"
There is a perfect panic in the Eleanor dis /
.rict. Scores of homesteads have been burned. /
A courier brings the news of the capture Of |
tour white women by Big Bears band, all of /
whom are being frightfully maltreated.
Gen. Middleton had another engagement !
with the rebels on Saturday in which it is |
claimed that the rebels were beaten with Sc
7ere loss: The tn -,uld qRr'heg of men
killed and Ssecms. .g.0JGCgorI'o os- -
,HFiE it woDJedinGsgear. A. ! ''i' oiA'
the il with .5il itlfars with a'aalng ten r, q
hla1 patching. Nor
Mons lost sr,...4.r-.l st-.