The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-05-22


wixSIrna. Man, May ii.-Generai
Middle. cons troops had another skirmish
with large force Of rebels near Ratonche
saturday. The troops advanced seven
miles from camp. the steamer Northcote
keeping pace with them on the river
suddenly a sound a the steamers whis-
tle was heard followed by heavy firins In
front and in the direction OF the river
This was answered by signal from the
troops. and all pushed rapidly ahead.
They came upon two houses near the
bank OF the river and advanced party
OF rebels were met, who fired and reti-si
behind the houses toward . hollow. The
eating gun vas brought TO bear on them,
when they ran into = house near the
Church Of st. Laurent, which was also
fred on by the Calling gun, when the
rebels ran out into the bush. A battery
OF artillery rushed TO the front and sent
several shells after the rebels The
greradiers advanced In skirmishing order
till the church was reached when priest
came out Of the house waving white
fac. General Middleton and stan adj
yanced and shook hands with him, when
three other priests and i've Sisters OF
CHARITY came out number Of half
breeds and children were also inside In
charge of the Sisters.
Father Monlin, one Of the priests, said
The steamer arrived IT point little
above Batouche At $3.50 . m, and the
rebels Immediately commenced firing on
1t from both banks. 1t shortly after
stuck on = mud bank, buf swung clear
again The vessel is supposed to be
badly peppered, As the smoke stack is
gone. She went back about three miles
up the river. Grenadicrs advanced.
skirmishing through the bcsh on
the right Of the trail, the
Calling gun being pushed forward down
the declivity toward Batouche, which was
now plainly visible In the valley below.
Battery A numbered on top Of the ridge,
sending shells into them. Whilst doing
90 they were almost surprised by . num-
Der of rebels, who crcpt up through the
bush, not being discovered until twenty
yards distant. They made rush Tor the
guns, firing and yelling IS they ran. Cap
tain Howard. Of the American army, who
operates the Calling gun, saw the
danger, and with cool daring, ran bis gun
. couple Of yards in front Of the battery,
and, opening DIRE, literally moved the re.
bells down. Those remaining turned and
ran. Reaching the shelter Of the bush,
they opened fire again. and Towards es-
cape from injury was something marvel.
Gus. the bullets flying all around him.
He calamity maintained his position. and
the rebels, unable to stand the terrible
IRE. returned TO = hut constructed in The
rasine running from the river.
At p. IN. the rebel fire gradually
ceased. the troops, however, still keep
in. up a scattered fire all along the line
gradually slackening until four o'clock
when only scattering shots were heard
At $50 the rebels opened ere agaiI
from the blur near the ravine, but were
sheiled out. Winnipeg Battery resumes
and shclled houses In the distance, wher'
q large number OF rebels had gathered
One shell crashed through the irst house
aud the rebels rushed out. Another bles
the roof OF the second boase, and To-
rebels retreated to Eiel's camp a. b
touche.
wu. Bruce, lately . prisoner Of Riel
who escaped, says that Riel's force is
little over four hundred, halt Of whom
are on the other side OF the river. III
also says thst when ammunition wa
StttE4 ~ liz tE0It, jill tut 49, VI ~ "
der remained. Bullets are also scarce
Women and children had been sent 10 tn
other side OF the river.
The rebel loss il not known, but II |
supposed to be severe. The following !
n list Of the killed and wounded anon
the troops:
Gunner Phillips, shot through tn
stomach while in the ravine; died Will
being carried In.
Thomas j. Stout, run over BY . cal
rage; not fatal.
Chappalier. shot through both legs
one fractured.
runners Fairbanks and Toohey, ais
shot In the legs.
Gienadier Captain Mason, Of No.
company; slight wound In the thigh
X G. Cooke, slightly wounded In th
leg.
CurIcy Allen, wounded In the shoulder
=