The Portland daily press., 1885-04-28
RIEL'S REBELLION.
The Canadian Troops Defeated in
the Late Battle.
Fears That 1t Will Have a Bad Effect
Upon the Indians.

WINNIPEG, April 27.-The courier who left
den. Middleton's force at o'clock last even
ing telegraphs from Clark's Crossing that Mid
dieton altered his intention to fight Sunday,
and decided to give the insurgents a chance to
attack his column. If they do not, Middleton
may attack the insurgents today with his
whole force.
Gen. Middleton seems to be unable to &C.
eompiish anything of importance in the way
OF an advance on the rebels. 1t is understood
snas ne is hampered by the necessity Of caring
LOT MS wounded and waiting for supplies and
ammunition. All reports of the recent fights
Snow that the rebels had decidedly the best of
u. Jhey were driven from one partiof their
position, but held the ravine, and their fire
caused terrible havoc among the troops Mid
uieton evidently did not properly appreciate
the nghting qualities of half breeds or he
Wouid not have sent raw volunteers, unaccus-
TONED 10 rifle shooting, to disodge from their
strong position such accomplished sharpshoot-
ers as the rebels. The latter fred with deadly
accuracy from behind shelter. Middleten's
Ispulse Is almost sure to have bad effect, as
tne news will stir up the Indians to renewed
ravages. The arrival of Otter's force at Bat
tleford ia most fortunate, giving assurance that
@ 1ne lndians at that point will be held in check.
Ihe General is somewhat afraid to take much
risk, as his supplies are giving out. Lieut..
SwI1gford OF the Och and Dorsey and Baker of
DoausGas I, no. scouts, who were seriously wounded
IN rrloays engagements, have since died
several more OF the wounded are in q dying
condition. Gen. Middleton is blamed by man9
for the inetficiency OF the medical staff and ap-
pliances.
Capt. Clark and L. T. Dwinford of the Goth
battalion are still alive, but are likely to die
today
despatch dated Clark's Crossing, says that
messenger arrived there and reported that 25
rebels had been killed.
Another despatch says that Dorsey and Baker
OF Bouitons mounted infantry, died last
night. This makes the total number O. deaths
so far eight. The supply and other teams ar
irving late last night, nearly drove into the
rebel camp, thinking that the troops had gone
to Batouche. Having discovered their mis-
take they returned, ana we're approaching
Middleton's camp from the direction of the
enemy's lines, and not hearing the challenge
OF the sentries were fred on. The governor
generals body guards under Lieut.. Col. Den
nison, arrived at Qu'Appelle at 10 O'Clock last
night, and went into camp near the 35th bat.
talon already there
Couriers brought information last night that
supplies for the rebels were passing north. and
shortly after midnight 100 infantry and 20 men
from the BODY guards were sent to intercept
+ them. The health of the troops now at On'-
Appelle is good.
Battletord despatch says that Sergt Lang
try, OF the Queens Own discovered yesterday,
at Masanuitos Reserve, the corpse Of white
man. Inc mead was terribly cut and slashed,
but the description OF the body was found to
tally with that OF Payne, the Indian in struc-
tor, who was recently murdered by the Stonies.
OTTAWA, Ont, April 27.-The Manitoba
members of parliament have succeeded in in
duclng the government to agree to a supple
mentary half breed claim in Manitoba. An
order in council has been passed giving scrip
to all who have established claims.
The following private telegram from Gen.
Middleton, dated "Fish Creek, April 9th !"
has been received:
We must remain here day or two more.
had Ill I-s
driving in the enemy's cattle and ponies. and
are feeding on the former All are anxious to
| march forward.
WINNIPEG, April q. - A despatch from
Fish Greek says the troops stilroccupy the
camp pitched Friday night, about mile from
the battle ground. The dead were buried near
the camp yesterday morning. Gen. Middleton
| reading the burial service. Two dead Indians
were found In ravine where the earlier fight
ing took place, and three others are known to
have been killed. Fifty-four dead ponies have
been counted on the field and in the ravines
The rebels had eight small rifle pits and one
large one. Several pools of blood were found
in these. Fourteen ponies and twenty head of
cattle were captured in the ravine Yesterday
The rebels have not been seen near here since
| the day of the battle and to all Appearances
| they suffered severely.
Word has just been brought in by scout
| from the west side of the river that 15O half
breeds had crossed to that side. Thirty teams
were sent from Humboldt directly to Batouche
under the impression that the troops would
take that trail. Twenty OF Boulton's mounted
men were sent today to bring them in, and up
| to late hour had not returned. 1t is Thought
the teams were captured by the enemy. When
the Indians retired they tied their ponies in
the bottom of the ravine and along the east
side, and they afe piled up there in heaps The
timber has been literally moved down. The
| garrison division of Battery A got up to with
in twenty yards Of the rebel rifle pits. and
Capt. Cook was shot here. The Indian who
shot him lay behind horse which had been
killed. The Indian was shot by one of the
Battery men, The 90th seems TO have taken
the north side of the stream, Wheeler being
shot on that side, ana seeing they were not
supported, though Col Houghton did his best
the. .90th up, they could not stand the storm Of
leaden hail, and both parties returned, the
battery going up the race Of the bluff, and the
goth down the stream coolly, as if on parade.
The general opinion is that another stand
will be made at Gabriel Crossing, and another
at Batouche, but no advance will be made
today. Telegraphic communication is inter-
rupted and messages mnst be sent or brought
down, and unless something important takes
place the risk is too great to come down every
day.