Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-04-23
Little Doubt that Eft. Pitt has
Fallen and the Inhabitants
AN MaSSacred.
Strength Of CrOZier at Prince
Albert Given at 200 Police
and 800 Volunteers.
Riel at BatOche on the Sas-
katcheWan with 600 to
1000 Warriors.
RiePS Row.

WINNIPEG, April 16.-The latest
advices from the field leave but very
little doubt that Fort Pitt had fallen
into the hands of the Indians and that
the inhabitants were slaughtered is
correct, although inquiry at the Hud-
son Bay company's headquarters to-
night failed to secure confirmation,
Col. Otter has orders to make all haste
in reaching Battleferd, as the Indians
are contemplating descent upon the
barracks there. Otter and his column
crossed tie Saskatchewan this morn
ing and travelled fifteen miles through
low, boggy land. They will reach
high land tomorrow, and will then
be able to cover forty or forty five
miles day. Col. Otter says he will
be in Battleford week from to-day.
Capt. Steele, of the mounted police,
with fifty scouts under his command,
will start for Edmonton at once as an
advance guard to the expedition
which it is proposed to send from
Calgary to Edmonton. Col. Ouimet.
the Edmonton expedition, returned
from Calgary today. He refuses to
start with the 65th battalion until
proper ammunition and supplies are
furnished. He says terrible blunders
have been made, which would make
it suicidal for him to start now. In a
test of ammunition last evening by
Gen. Middleton at Hunboldt, out of
SO rounds fired only three went off.
Intense excitement was caused here
by this announcement, it being fear
ed that the troops may be cut to
pieces by the rebels without being
able to make effective resistance.
Every one is censuring Caron, minis
ter of militia, for the state of affairs.
The ammunition is said to be over
ten years old, having been brought
out by Wolseley's Red river expedi-
ton in 1870.
A dispatch from Gen. Middleton
indicates that he will reach Clarke's
Crossing by Friday or Saturday morn
ing at latest, if he does not encounter
the rebels. He will then proceed on
to Batoche's Crossing, twenty-three
miles up to Saskatchewan. IF no re-
sistance is offered he will make dash
across the country from Batoche's to
Prince Albert, which he thinks he
could reach by next Tuesday or
Wednesday.
The steamer Northeete, which was
to convey the troops up the Saskatch-
evan to join Middleton at Clarke's
Crossing, will be used to transport
supplies to Prince Albert for the re-
lief of the inhabitants there. Their
position is very grave because of the
meager supply of provisions. Should
Middleton fight and be defeated,
thousands must starve before re-
lief arrives. Crozier has 200 police
and 800 volunteers under his
command at Prince Albert.
Riel is now at Batoche,
A dispatch from Battleford says he
has $50 half breeds and 400 Indians
with him. Two hundred and fifty
Teton Sioux are reported to have
Joined Riel. Traces of rebel scouts
were seen to day near Humboldt, They
were evidently keeping a sharp look
out. Riel has reprieved nine prisoners
who were brought out to be shot. It
is reported that Hoo-Doo. a small
place on the banks of the Saskatche-
wan, has been destroyed by the rebels.
John Brown, of Prince Albert, who
arrived here to~night, says Riel has
over six hundred half breeds under
him, besides the Sioux and other In
dams who have Joined him, and that
he confidently expects help from all
of the Indians, who are greatly dis
satisfied at the way the government
has treated them. Riel also counts
on over hundred cowboys and half
breeds from Montana.
MEMBER OF THE POLICE FORCE.
KINGSTON, April 16.-The govern
ment is sending men to serve On the
mounted police force through the
United States to the northwest.
Yesterday % men with 40 horses
passed here.
NO MORE BLOODsHED.
WINNIPEG, April 16.-The only re
liable news from the west tonight is
that Riel is still keeping in the back
ground and waiting for the commits
sion to effect a settlement with his
people and himself. One of the prom
inent officials stated today that there
would be no more bloodshed, and in a
few days all would be settled. Twenty
eight hundred troops have gone west
from here, and Superintendent Eagan
says 400 men under Col. Scott, will 60
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