Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-05-11
nErAu.s or THE rIanT.


Batouche's Crossing, via Clarke's
Crossing, May 9-We left camp at
g o'clock this morning, leaving all
supplies and tents behind. We
marched seven miles without see
ing or hearing anything of the
enemy. The morning was bright
and warm. Suddenly came the
sound OF "A steamers whistle blowing
continuously. As we drew near we
could hear the sound OF heavy firing
on our front ia the direction of the
river. Oar line OF march was AZ fol-
lows: First, Boulton's scouts, accom-
panied by a gattling gun OF the
grenadlers, formed the advance
Ninetieth battalion supported them
with toe Winnipeg battery and the
Midland battalion In reserve.
The scouts, with the gattling gun,
then pushed rapidly ahead and soon
came upon two houses near the bank
OF the river, which here Is very precip-
itous. An advance party Of rebels
was met, who fired and
retired behind house towards
hollow. The Gattling guu was
brought TO bear on them, when they
ran into house near the church OF
Saint Laurent, which was also fired
on by the Gattllng guns when they
ran out into the bush. The battery
by this time came up with rush
and got into position, sending sew
eral shells after the rebels. The
grenadiers now advanced marching
steadily into action and formed into
line, continuing To advance IN sklr-
mishing order till the church was
reached, when priest came out OF a
house waving white flag. Gen
Middleton and his staff ad.
vanced and shook hands, when three
other priests and five Sistera of Charity
came ont. A number OF half-breed
children were also inside In charge OF
the sisters.
Father Moulin informed me that
the steamer arrived AT "A point little
above Batouche at $3.50 y m The
rebels immediately commenced firing
on her from both banks. Sne shortly
after struck on mud bank but
steering clear again, Just before our
arrival she passed the crossing
He alsJ said that the rebels had six
killed and twelve wounded at Flan
creek. We just got q glimpse of the
steamer down the river. She must
have had a hard Are.
Her Hmokestaok was gone The
grenadiefs advanced skirmlshing
through the brush on the right % the
trail, the gatling guns being pushed
forward down the decllvity towards
Batouche, now plainly Visible in the
valley below. Here the battery took
a stand on top OF the ridge, sending
shells into the rebels, and while doing
30 the batterymen were almost sur
prised by number OF rebels who
erept up through the brush,
not being discovered until but twenty
yards distant They made a rush for
the guns, firing and yelling IA they
ran. Capt. Howard, who operates the
gatllng guns, saw the danger. He
chased the rebels couple OF
yards In front OF the battery and
opening fire literally moved
the rebels down. Those remaining
turned and ran from theguns. Reach.
ing the shelter OF the bush they opened
Are again and Capt, Howard's escape
from Injury was something marvel
Gus, the bullets tlyiug ali around him
He gallantly held his position, how
ever.
The rebels. unable TO stand tn,
the pits constructed ia
aravine running from the rlv r. Oni
line was now "a follows: Forty-frsI
and Fiheenth companies OF the Mid
land, with the Winnipeg battery, sup
ported 10y II and q companies of the
Ninctieth battalion IN the center and
extending across 20 the right, wher,
the grensdiers were supported on tn,
lett by Il company Of the Ninetieth
battalion, ON the right center by L
company OF the Ninetieth and on tn,
extreme right by + aud A companies
A nattary oceupied che left center.
afterwards retiring 20 the right.
Near III M,-As 1 now write
Capt, French with his scouts and !
part of the dismounted men OF A
battery, are down In the ravine. The
firing IL now continuous ON the left
and the center, but Is scattered on the
right, Alter n gallant but vain efforl
10 drive the rebels from the rliie.pils
Frenoh's scouts ana the battery men
retired, The wounded are now com
ing In Tho casualties at noon wer,
one killed aud seven wounded.
LArER--The rebels fire h AZ gradual
~ ceased. The m 'ops, however, KEEP
up n scattered fire along the lines
gradually slackening until o'clock
when only few dropping shots wer,
heard. No moro OF our troops wer,
hurt. WIN. Bryce, lately prisoner o
Riels, but who escaped on Tuesday
was brought in by the scouts. HesaS,
that Riel's force isn little over 400
hall OF whom were on the other side
OF the river when no left. He alsc
says that only one keg OF powder re-
mained TO the rebels aud the bullets
also arc scarce, The women and
children have been sent TO the other
eide Of the river and the prisoners
are safe rs far Ms he knows. Bird Eve
10 not with Rirl but he has BEEN cent