St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-17
COMING CRISIS.
Troops Being Forwarded to the
Theater Of Action in the North
west Territories.
A Battle Between Riel and Middleton
Anticipated on Either Saturday
or Sunday.
In the Meantime the Indians Are De-
stroying Property About Battle
ford and Elsewhere.
Devastating Farms.

DCSNStsrtAS y "a ASASs
Special to the Globe.
WINNIPEG, April a6.-A Battleford dis
patch of to-day says that small party OF
Indian hOrsemen drove off Wylde and
Rourke's cattle from their ranch, north OF
the Saskatchewan river. There is no pros
pect OF following them until reinforcements
arrive. Harry Nash'S house, nine miles
north of Battleford, was burned yesterday;
other fires were seen last night in different
directions. Two Indians, who were seen
near the barracks by a half-breed
woman were pursued by police, but
escaped, crossing the Saskatchewan on a
cart wheel The devastation of farms near
Battleford continued to-day, Ben Prince
being the latest victim. Stony Indians, who
are gathered in the upper settlement, yes
terday told friendly half-breeds they would
burn the barracks and go south. Precall-
tons We're taken against surprise, but nc
attempt has yet been made. Another dis
patch from Battleford says:
THE INDIANS CROSSED BATTLE RIVER
at Poundmaker's reserve, and it is feared
they will make an attack on barracks to-
day. The citizens have resolved that should
the Indians make an endeavor to enter town
they will make an effort to drive them off
and to protect their houses from destruction.
No news has yet been received from Fort
Pitt, the reports in the papers about a mas
sacre there being merely sensational rumor.
Alexander Macdonald this morning received
telegram from his brother at Battleford
stating that the Indians were gathering
around the town in small crowds and acting
in threatening manner. There has not
been one word yet received from Fort Pitt
regarding the situation at that point, and
fears are entertained that the place has
fallen into the hands of the Indians and all
the inhabitants have been massacred, and
these fears are strengthened by the lack OF
news from that point. Mr.. Wrigley of the
Hudson Bay company, however, does not
regard the absence of news from the place
as alarming, and has no apprehensions re-
garding its safety.
INTELLIGENCE FROM FORT MACLEOD
to-day is to the effect that everything is
satisfactory The cattle men are becoming
treasured, and there is little chance OF
stock interests suffering. A Clarke's Cross
ing dispatch says that up to noon of the
10Th Riel had no intention of attacking
Prince Albert, but has sent three runners
to Qu'Appelle to ascertain if the troops are
being forwarded. They will ask the gov
eminent to give the basis of treaty. The
rebels have no reliable information of the
movements of the troops, nor OF the num-
Der of men now in the country. A telegram
from the camp, twenty-three miles beyond
Humboldt, gives the following
REGARDING MIDDLETON'S ADVANCE:
There was heavy rain again last night,
rendering camping uncomfortable. During
the night Indian signals were seen ON the
hills for a circuit of eight miles. The
troops made an early start this morning.
We camped last night at the south side of
Vermilion lake. Major Boulton and his
scouts joined us last night
The Tenth grenadiers are twelve miles
behing the general with one gun,
nine FOUNDER. Boulton's troops
and &c" company will make dash through
to Clarke's crossing to secure the ferry, etc.
The balance of the troops will march to
within eight miles of the crossing and camp
for the night Col. Irvine will advance
from Prince Albert so as to join us in time
to surround Riel and his party, it is hoped -
The Seventh fusilierS, from London, under
command of Col. Williams, arrived in the
city about a. III. The battalion numbers 1868
strong, twenty-six of whom are officers.
They will remain here awaiting orders from
the general to move. Col. Offers force has
crossed the South Saskatchewan and will
probably commence the march to Battle
ford early tomorrow. Otter hopes to reach
Battleford by the 25th. His present force
will be followed by Simcoe and the Midland
battalions, making over 200 men in all.
A letter from the Turtle mountains, in the
vicinity of Wakopa, states that
a band of American Indians,
numbering about 100 strong, had
passed through there on the 18th inst,
and were going north, evidently to join
Riel. They disturbed some settlers by
breaking the windows, and endeavoring tC
effect an entrance. They also killed some
sheep, and at one place, where a woman
was alone in the house, they told her to get
out or they would kill her.