The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1885-06-10
THE RIEL REBELLION,
The First Authentic Account of il
From Half-breed Standpoint.
Gabriel Dumont, who was Commander-in-
Chief of the Insurgents, Tells an IN
teresting Story to a River
Press Reporter.

UaDFle1 bulHuu1 anu m1Cnel DUMAS
to-day and received from them q state
ment of the causes that led to the north
west rebellion and the details of impor-
tance Of the three engagements Of the
war. DUMAS speaks English with flu
ency, but Dumont does not. He under
stands little English but cannot carry
on a conversation without the assistance
of an interpreter.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
In answer to our question "What were
the causes that led to the uprising Of the
half-breeds,n DUMAS handed us copy
of the bill of rights adopted on the 9th
or 7th of March, and clearly sets forth
their grievances. This bill in the form
of memorial was forwarded to the
government and no more attention paid
to it than to the numerous petitions
sent before or the supplications of dele
gates who had been sent to Ottawa to
plead the cause of the half-breeds. In
the northwest be given grants similar
to those acceeded the half-breeds of
Manitoba by the act Of 1870; that patents
for land be issued to the white settlers
and half-breed settlers who have fairly
earned the right of possession Of lands;
that the provinces of Saskatchewan and
Alberta be organized with legislatures Of
their own; that the offices Of trust SO far
as practicable be given to residents; that
the land department. be administered
from Winnipeg; that the lawful
customs and usages that obtain among
the Metis be respected; that the timber
regulations be made more liberal, and
that the settler be treated as having
rights in the country.
THE FIRST BREAK.
On Saturday March 10th the half
breeds from the surrounding conntry
met at st. Anthony, about so miles
from Prince Albert to celebrate the hol-
iday of their patron saint-St. Joseph
and also to attend the christening of
William Henry Joseph Jackson. On
the morning of that day Lawrence
Clark, the chief factor of the Hudson Bay
company, arrived from Winnipeg,
while the half-breeds were at church.
He asked what they were assembled for
and was told they were celebrating their
patron saints day. Clark, in sneering
terms, said there were not police enough
in the country to stop this foolishness
but that 500 men were coming, and
would soon arrive, to put an end to it by
the arrest of Riel and others. Upon
hearing this Riel asked the meeting ifl
they wanted to be arrested and in a free
country be deprived of their rights and
liberties
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
The evening Of that same day they |
organized a provisional government |
with Pierre Pareuteaux as president; |
Gabriel Dumont, adiutant general;
Philip Gamoat, secretary Of council; |
Chas Nolin, commissioner. Riel was
not president and held no position in
the government. Addressing the as
sembly Riel asked what was TO be done. |
"Crozier is marching upon us from Bat
tleford and 500 troops from Winnipeg.
Let us proceed to Duck lake Immediate
ly and await results" Thereupon they
went in body to
DUCK LAKE,
on the 24th of March. On the
Goth Dumont, his brother and two 9TH
ers We're out on a scout and noticed the
police coming from Carleton, headed by
Thomas and Joseph Mccoy. When
within hailing distance Dumont asked
what they wanted. "You will soon see
what we want,v was the reply. Du-
mont told them to stop. Mccoy said he
wanted to speak with Dumont. stop
and | will speak with you,o was the re-
ply, Mccoy then went back to Crozler
and soon after the battle commenced by
The police firing volley at the nall
breeds. The latter were instructed by
Dumont not to fire first. Crozier had
about 100 men; Dumont Just 70. Inc
night lasted three. quarters OF an nour
When Crozier retreated, leaving nine
aead on the field. Three were
wounded. The half-breeds had four
killed-Isadore Dumont, Augustine La
Franboise, Joseph Mentoin and John
baptiste. Gabriel Dumont received o
severe scalp wound. His brother, neph-
IVY =, and consin were among the killed.
me half-breeds were armed with Win ]
ehesters, and although outnunlbered