The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-05-16
MIDDLETON'S SKIRMISH.
Only One Canadian Killed--Indian
Loss Not Known.
The Plucky Half-Breeds Running Short Of
Ammunition.

WINNIPEG, May l0.-General Middleton's
troops.had another skirmishi with large
force of rebels near Batouche Saturday.
The troops advanced seven miles from
camp, the steamer Northcote keeping pace
with them on the river. Suddenly sound
of the steamers whistle was heard, fol-
lowed by heavy firing in front and in the
direction of the river. This was answered
by signal from the troops, and all rushed
rapidly ahead. They came upon two
houses near the bank of the river and
advanced. A party of rebels were met
who fred and retired behind the
houses toward hollow The Gatling gun
was brought to bear on them, when they
ran into house near the church of st.
Laurent, which was also fired on by the
Gatling gun, when the rebels ran out
into the BUSH A battery of artillery
rushed to the front and sent several shots
after the rebels. The Grenadiers advanced
in skirmishing order till the church was
reached, when priest came out of the
house waving white flag. General Mid
dleton and staff advanced and shook hands
with him, when three other priests and five
Der of alf-breeds, and children were in
side in charge of the Sisters.
Father Monlin, one of the priests,
said the steamer arrived at point a little
above Batouche at $50 a. M, and the rebels
Immediately commenced firing on it from
both banks. 1t shortly after stuck on
mud bank, but swung clear again. The
vessel is supposed to be badly peppered as
the smokestack is gone. She went back
rl>< ,Io. -. Mai
diers advanced, skirmishing through the
bush on the right of the trail, the Gatling
gun being pushed forward down the de-
clivity toward Batouche, which was now
plainly visible in the valley below here.
ga" Battery unlimbered on top of the
ridge, sending shells into them. While
doing so they were almost surprised by
number of rebels who crept up through the
bush not being discovered until twenty
yards distant. They made rush for the
guns, firing and yelling as they ran. Cap
tain Howard, of the American army, who
operates the Gatling gun, saw the danger,
and with cool daring ran his gun couple
of yards in front of the battery, and, open
ing fire, literally moved the rebels down.
Those remaining turned and ran. Reach
ing the shelter of the bush they opened fire
again, and Howard's escape from injury
was something marvellous, the bullets fly
ing all around MN. he gallantly NAM
tained his position. and the rebels, unable
| to stand the terrible fire, returned to
| pit constructed in the ravine running
! from the river. At wo p. m. the rebels
| fire gradually ceased, the troops, how
ever, still keeping up scattering fire
! all along the line, gradually slackening
until four O'Clock, when only a few drop
| ping shots were heard. AT $3.50 the rebels
opened fire again from the bluff near the
| ravine, but were shelled out. Winnipeg
! battery resumed and shelled houses in the
distance, where a large number of rebels
had gathered. One shell crashed through
the first house, and the rebels rushed out.
Another shell blew the roof off the second
house, and the rebels retreated to
| Riel's camp at Batouche. VIM.
| Bruce, lately a prisoner of Riel, who
| escaped, says Riel's force is little over
| four hundred, half of whom are on the
other side of the river. He also says that
| when ammunition was served to the rebels
| only one keg of powder remained. Bullets
| are also scarce. Women and children had
been sent to the other side of the river.
| The rebel loss is not known, but is supposed
to be severe. The Canadian casualties
were one killed and six wounded.