Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-27

ans so far outnumbered the garrison that they
would be able to take the fort and anxious
for the women and children, Mclean deter
mined to accept Big Bears terms. He then
left the fort with all the civilians, and thew
are now with the Indians, to the number of
agout 80, of all ages. This reduced the gar
rison to % men, and being insufficient to
defend the fort for any great length of time,
they left the same afternoon after the fight
on scow which they had previously built.
They took ali the ammunition and arms that
were in the barracks. Before leaving Fort
Pitt the police received word from Mclean
that the Indians had coal oil and fre arrows
prepared and were ready to fire the fort if the
police remained. The conduct of the police
was most gallant in every respect On their
arrival at Bsttleford Col. Morrow sent po-
lice band to meet them and they marched
into the barracks amidst the cheers of the
whole population.
Mrs. Gowanlock and Mrs. Delaney, who
were taken prisoners by the Frok Lake Indi-
ans. are reported to be well treated.
Major Buchan, commanding the right bat
TALON, and Major Boswell left T. company
of the infantry school, Toronto, being on the
extreme right had two or three hot scrim-
images for the possession of knowl about
500 yards in front of ravine, being ordered
to retire from it, The knowl was taken pos
session of BY the rebels, but the infantry
drove them out While this was going on at
the right, at the left, q battery, a garrison
division, who were supporting their guns,
and a company of the Goth battalion, under
Capt Forrest, made a dash across the open
ing and gained the top of the ravine. In the
meantime the artillery was being moved from
point to point, so as to obtain the most ad-
vantageous position for shelling the rebels in
the ravine, who were driven out of number
of houses seeking cover in the ravine. When
No. 2 company of the 10th Grenades arrived
from across the river, they were sent over on
the right flank and thrown out in skirmishing
order, so as to enfilade the ravine and relieve
some of the troops who had been in action
all day. About 60 rebels were seen to re-
treat on horseback. The others in the ra-
vine were lable to do so, owing to their
horses having been captured or shot, Things
remained unchanged up to o'clock, when
there could not have been more than ten men
in the rifle pits in the ravine. at which time
Gen Middleton had troops drawn up prepar-
atory to making charge and capturing the
men in the pits, which was expected to close
the engagement as he had ordered the teams
to get ready to move abont half mile nearer
the river, in order to camp for the night.
During the course of the afternoon the
balance of the 10th crossed over; also one
gun OF the Winnepeg battery. 1t is expected
that the remainder of the troops will cross to
the east side tomorrow, when Gen. Middleton
will press on to the Batarche.
The killed in addition to those given be-
fore were gunner and cook of the A battery
and Private Wheeler Of No. 2 company, 10th,
and Capt. Clark. Lieut.. Swimford of the
s0th, will die of wound he received.
As far as could be seen the rebels left no
dead on the field, though 25 of them were
shot and about dozen captured. The rebels
seemed to be composed of about an equal
number of half breeds and Indians, in all not
more than 200, and are supposed to be under
the command of Gabriel Dumont.
WAsHINcroN, April %.
U. S. Consul Taylor, at Winnepeg. sent the
following today to Secretary Bayard:
"The battle with Rel's force at Fish Creek
continued all day Friday. The Canadian
loss was IL killed and AZ wounded. Middle
ton returned about a mile to open a space
near the east bank of the Saskatchewan. He
was reinforced by column from the other
side of the river, but the number of troops
still does not exceed 600. The rebels, includ-
ing ascouting party, number probrbly 400,
but there are rumors of hostile Indians in the
rear of Gen. Middleton. The situation is
very grave. lnere was storm oil rain and
high wind last night. There is hope Of the
arrival of the steamer Northcote from Swift
Current, with Gsttling gun, but there is
danger of her being intercepted or getting
aground on the sand bars of the South Sas-
katchewas. The rebel loss is unknown on
account of their advantageous position on
Fish Creek in a wooded ravine. The insur-
gents were led by Gabriel Dumont Their
fire was most deadly. Nearly all the killed
were shot through the head or heart. There
is a hospital for the wounded at Clark's
Crossing. The occupation of Battleford by
other troops has relieved the garrison, and
the settlers may check further hostilities by
the North Saskatchewan Indians. There is
telegrapbic communication with Battleford,
but Battleford is 25 miles from the nearest
station. News comes only by courier to
Clark's Crossing. Gen. Middleton announces
his purpose to the Ottawa authorities to ad-
vance Immediately on Riel's headquarters and
Batouche Crossing. His rear is now east or
south of the South Saskatchewan