Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-05-15
CAPTURE OF An0CHE.
OFFICIAL REPORT.
The settlement Captured by "A General At
tack-Kiel Sends Messages to General
Middleton-The Outlaws Threat
He Does Not Love War.

OTTAWA, May 13.-In the House this
afternoon, Hon. A. p. Caron read the fol
lowing official despatch from Gen. Middle
ton:
Batoches House, May II, via Clarkes
Crossing, May i2-IIon. A. p. CarOn, OF
tawa: Have Just made a general attack
and carried the whole settlement. The
men behaved splendidly. The rebels are
in full flight. Am sorry to say / have
not got Riel. While was reconnoiterng
this morning, VIM. Ashley, one of the
prisoners, galloped with flag of truce and
handed me letter from Riel saying:
"If you massacre our families | shall
massacre the prisoners.
| sent answer that if he would put his
women and children in one place and let
me know whose it was, not shot should
be fired on them. / then returned to camp
and pushed on my advance parties who
were heavily fired on. | so pressed on un-
til | saw my chance and ordered general
advance. The men responded nobly,
splendidly led by their officers, and Col.
Staubenzie drove the enemy out of the
rifle pits. After taking the rifle pits they
forced their way across the plain and
seized the houses and we are now masters
of the place and most of my force will
/
action Mr.. Ashley came back with another
missive from Riel as follows:
| General, ,yourprompt answer to my note
shows that ! was right in mentioning to
you the cause of humanity. We will
! gather our families in one place and as
soon us it is done we will let you know.
| have, etc,
(Signed) Louis DAVID RIEL."
On the envelope he had written rs fol
lows 81 do not like war, and if you do
not retreat, and refuse an interview, the
question remains the same concerning the
prisoners Our loss am afraid is heavy,
but not so heavy as might be expected ::
yet, find it is five killed and ten wounded.
The killed are Captain French. command
ing the scouts; Lieut.. Fitch, 10Th Grena-
diers. Capt. Brown, Boulton's scouts A.
W. kippen, surveyors scouts; Private
Wheeler, Goth Battalion
This is all know at present The prs-
Oners were all released, and are safe in my
camp. Among them is jackson, the white
man who was Riel's secretary, but who is
mad and rather dangerous.
(Sgned) FRED. MIDDLETON,
Major-General
Another telegram received shortly after
was read. 1t said The steamer North
Cole and another steamer are coming up
the river with Company G of the school
of infantry and the police, and will cut off
the retreat OF the rebels. The rebel loss
Is DelleNed 10 be very severe, but Is as yet
unknown. The wounded halfbreed
brought in is Ambrose Jordin of Riel' 3
council.
TORONTO, May 13.-The news of the cap
ture of BatOche created immense excite
ment here Great regret is expressed at
the death of Lieut.. Fifth who was very
popular among all classes here.
Winnipeg Surprised and Delighted.
WINNIPEG, May 13.-News of the cap
ture of Batoche by a bayonet charge was
something of a surprise and it is the cause
OF rejoicing to the people here. Gen. Mid
dleton was expected to pursue other tao
tics. 1t is believed here that the half
breeds have been beaten 50 badly that
they will make no further stand. Riel is
expected to get away to Montana by dis
; guising himself, making his way tC
Qu'Appelle and thence by railway tC
Winnipeg. He has plenty of sympathiz
ing friends not very far from this city who
would gladly give him refuge. No prom
; inent officers We're killed at BatOche
Captain French, the leader of the scouts
was formally an officer III the mounted
police. Lieut.. Fitch of the Toronto gren
adlers was the son of a prominent mer-
chant, He was only % and was leading
his company when he fell.