Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-18
NORTHWEST TROUBLES.
r,ssssns tmmiaess- Msddlesen's Advance
Guard Apprsaehins Riess Forces

r,sss,rs smuiaent- sitddlesen's Advance
eusrs Apprsash,ns Riess Forces.
A Winnipeg special says: There is
little change in the position OF affairs
to-day, ss indicated by dispatches from
all points in the Northwest. The In
dams are gathering in bands about Bat
tleford and threatening an attack. which
IL Is felt must be made before Colonel
Otter with his flying column arrives
there. All stock that could be
found by the redskins along either
side Of the Saskatchewan north
of Battleford has been driven of
and killed. The Indians appear to be
laying up a store Of provisions, as If
for a long campaign. Many bands
crossed Battle river to-day, and an at
tack on the barracks is expected to-
morrow. The carih-works around the
barracks have been completed. A
number OF scouts were sent from Bat
tleford to meet General Middleton at
Clark's Crossing, in order 10 acquaint
him with the true position Of
affairs. Great loss has been oc-
casioncd to the settlers in the vicinity
OF Battleford. Every ones buildings
are being burned. General Middle
ton telegraphed instructions that the
Governor Generals body guards should
for the present remain at Winnipeg and
eventually be sent West. Their desti-
nation will be Swift Current, it is sup
posed, for the purpose of joining OF
ter's division if required. Colonel
Scott's battalion will be divided-one
half being left at Swift Current and the
remainder being sent on to Calgary.
No troops will be kept in Winnipeg,
and those now en- route north Of Lake
Superior will be forwarded on their ar
rival.
NEWS FROM THE FRONT.
Following is the latest from General
Middleton's camp: 1.-THE column is
now sixty miles south Of Clark's Cross
ing, and nearing the rebel territory.
This morning flying column of artil-
lery with one gun Of battery was
sent forward to take up position at
the Crossing, and hold it to prevent
surprise by the enemy. This action
was ordered by General Middleton be-
cause of the rebel scouts encountered
by his scouts. The remainder of the
column will follow quickly. The Royal
Grcnadiers have caught up TO us, and
the column is now complete. General
Middleton has been in communication
with Colonels Irvine and Crozier for
some time, and scheme has been de-
cided upon by which it is hoped to sur
round the rebels and capture the lead
ers at an early date. General Middle
ton is strongly opposed to treating with
the rebels. He says he was sent out to
quell the rebellion, and he is going to
do it in his own way by military force.
1.-THE position at Prince Albert is
most critical. The rations now are one
pound and half of -four daily for each
family Of four and five. The rebels are
also said to be suffering for want of
rations. General Middleton has in
timated that he will use the Saskatche-
wan river as much as possible for
forwarding supplies North. The steamer
Northcote is running. The General
deems the river the safest route by
which to transport supplies. He has
intimated his intention to establish a
stronghold at Clark's Crossing as his
base of supplies for northwestern
points. II will be strongly garrisoned.
Supplies can be forwarded to it both by
the overland route and by the Saskat-
.chewan river"
PROGRESS OF THE TROOPS.
The Seventh Fusiliers, of London,
Ont. three hundred strong, under the
command Of Colonel Williams, arrived
here this morning and went into camp
till further orders. Colonel Scott's
battalion leaves for the front in the
morning. Colonels 0uimet and Amiot,
NJ. P.'s, who came up with the Sixty
fifth French battalion, and who went
on with the troops, have returned to this
city. They were heard to express an
opinion that the affairs of the Northwest
had been grossly mismanaged by the
Government, which was responsible for
hetroubles. Consequently they would
not fight against men who were only
standing up for their rights. They de-
mand the removal Of Governor Dowd-
ney and the other Northwest officials,
who brought on the troubles by NAL
feasance and mismanagement.
TNnyaN DTppEDlT TDNC