Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-17
REL MEANS FIGHT.
THE SITUATION ALARMING.
ons Men Declare TheY viii win or DIE
Aiiddls,on's slow msreh-tndisss Gene
rally piss frteted.

here to-day that Fort Pitt has fallen
into the hands Of the Indians, and that
the inhabitants have been slaughtered,
although inquiry at Hudson-Bay head
quarters tonight failed TO secure con-
firmation. The messenger who was
sent frora Battleford couple Of days
ago TO ascertain the fate Of the in
habitantS Of Fort Pitt, and who was
captured by Indians, is known to have
been killed. Colonel Otter has orders
TO make all haste in reaching Battle
ford. as the Indians are contemplating
descent upon the barracks. Offers
column crossed the Saskatchewan this
morning and travelled fifteen miles
through low. boggy land. He will
reach high grjund tomorrow, and will
then be able TO cover forty or forty-fiye
miles day. He says he will be in
Battleford n week from to-day. He
may keep his promise if he does not
encounter hostile bands of Indians who
are said to be in waiting along his line
Of march. Captain Steele, of the
mounted police, with fifty scouts under
his command, will start for Edmonton
nj once, as an advance guard to the ex-
petition which it is proposed to send
from Calgary to Edmonton.
WORTHLESS AMMUNITION.
Colonel Ouimet, who was to be second
IN command Of the Edmonton expedi-
ton, came back from Calgary to-day.
lie refuses TO start with the Sixty-fifth
battalion until proper ammunition and
supplies are furnished. lie says ter
rible blundors have been made, which
would make it suicidal for him to start
now. A test Of ammunition last eve
ming by General Middleton at Humboldt
revealed the startling fact that nearly all
of the ammunition is bad. OF fifty
rounds fired only three went of. In
tense excitement was caused here by the
announcement, it being feared that the
troops may be cut to pieces by the
rebels without being able to make eff
fective resistance. Every one is censu-
ring Mr.. Caron, Minister Of Militia, for
thiS dcplorable state Of affairs. The
ammunition is said to be ten years old.
The Hudson Bay Company this morn
ing received dispatch from their Off
Ger at Prince Albert, dated the llth in
slant. IL contained the names of the
killed at Frog Lake, and some other
news III connection with the massacre,
all Of which has been published in the
papers. IL is reported that flour was very
scarce at Prince Albert, although meat
was plentiful. General Middleton's dis
patch indicates that he will reach Clark's
Crossing by Friday or Saturday morn
ing at the latest if he does not cncOun-
ter the rebels before getting there. He
will then proceed on to Batoche's Cross
ing, twenty-three miles up the Sas-
katchowan. If no resistance is offered
Middleton will make dash across the
country from Batoche TO Prince Albert,
which he thinks he could reach by next
Tuesday or Wednesday.
TO RELIEVE PRINCE ALBERT.
The steamer Northcote. which was to
have conveyed the troops up the Sas-
katchewan to join Middleton at Clarke's
Crossing. will be used to transport sup
plies to Prince Albert for the relief of
the inhabitants. Their position is very
grave because of the meagre supply of
provisions at Prince Albert and the inn
possibility of Middleton carrying suiii-
cient to afford tangible relief to the be-
sieged townspeople. Major Crozier's
men are on half rations now and the
citizens on quarter ratiOns. Should Mid
dleton fight and be defeated, the proba-
bic sequel is terrible to contemplate.
Thousands must starye before relief
arrives Crozicr has had 100 police
and 500 volunteers under his command.
Rel is now at Batoche'S with $50 half
breeds and 400 Indians. The half.
breeds, in talking with Mcleod, said
they were determined to fight to the
last gasp. Teton Sioux, $50 strong. it
is reported, have joined Riel. Traces
OF rebel scouts were seen to-day near
Humboldt. They are evidently keep
ing a sharp lookout on the movements
of the troops. Riel has reprievcd nine
prisoners who were brought out to be
shot. 1t is reported that Hoodoo,
small place on the banks of the SaSkat-
Chewan, has been destroyed by the
rebels.
No SIGN OF THE ENEMY.
A dispatch from Middleton's camp,
near Humboldt, to-day says The
General made reconnaissance twenty
miles west Of this place yesterday.
They do not see any signs Of the enemy.
A commiSSsariat officer states that sup
plies Tor 200 men for forty days have
been shipped from Qu'Appelle. When
they will catch up is question. We
so on twenty three miles to-day, as they
have got some forage teams there, and
Will wait for supplies and troops there.
II will then be decided whether we
shall 60 on to Clarke's Crossing or
branch off 10 Batoche's.
The Governor-General's Body Guard
arrived here this morning about >
O'Clock, and, alter unloading all accOutre-
ments, harness, &C., marched to the
old Driving Park, where they went into
camp.
Colonel Williams, with his London
battalion, will arrive some time tonight.
The Quebec cavalry may be expected
here III a few DAYS. The Halifax bat
talon is now at Mattawa, 90 route here.
Tonight Colonel Smith, with his local
battalion, $50 strong, left for the front.
Half Of the battalion 90 to garrison
Fort Qu'Appelle, and the other half go
on to Join the expedition for Edmonton.
WHAT REL MEANS TO DO.
John Brown, Of Prince Albert, ar
rived here to-day. He said Riel did
not intend TO fight at the commence
ment Of the rebellion, although he was
fully prepared for war, as he was under
the impression that the Government
would bow to the wishes Of the half
breeds. Now that the first shot was
fred, Mr.. Brown is of the opinion that
here will be some hot work before the
war is ended. The rebels vow that they
will fight to the last, and are fully
equipped for the occasion. At the time
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