The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1885-06-10

Tour TO one, they easily won the victory.
Crozier went back to Carleton, set fire
TO the post and proceeded to Prince Al
bert. Riel was at Duck lake but was
not in the field.
FISH CREEK.
The next stand made was at Fish
creek, fifteen miles from Duck lake,
where the inyincible Dumont with A.
followers, stood off Middleton's army OF
600 men-artillery, gatling4 guns and
all. Dumont had no earthworks or rife
pits at this place his men took their
positions on the creek, and were aided
somewhat by the broken country. The
fight lasted all day, when Middleton
and his six hundred had to retire with
out gaining a single advantage over the
plucky #. The half breeds from their
hollow INDUCED in sharpshooting tac-
tics, and, as DUMAS believes. killed
from fifty to sixty of the troops. The
rebels only lost four men.
BATOUCHE.
After this skirmish, Dumont and men
proceeded to Batouche, the rebel head
quarters. and stronghold Middleton
tarried, as the reader is waiting
for reinforcements and supplies-and
did not reach Batouche until May 4th,
when the fight began. The half breeds
here numbered about Ats men-375 on
the south side of the river and 100 on
the north side; they estimated Middle
toms command at about 1000. This
battle lasted four days, and the skir-
mishing was kept up from morning
until night NTiddleton's cannon and
the gatling gun did not kill a single
man, and were not at all effective in
gaining the yictory-they shot too high.
It was also remarked by the half breeds
that the troops were miserable marks
stand before them and be shot at. On
the first day Dumont, at the head Of six
men, creDt ~ to an artillery squad, and
would have captured the gun but for
the timely service of Capt. Howard
with his gatling, and this was about the
only service he performed, so that it is
evident he has gained great deal more
renown than he is entitled to. That
there was some reckless shooting done
is shown by the fact that not a single
half breed was killed the first, second
or third day of the fight.
THE DEFEAT.
nr 4I,o {l,a 11c-~
word was sent from the other side of the
river that the ammunition for their
was giving out, and this
news caused dismay IN the half breed
camp. It also became reported that
Riel would surrender but Dumont and
bis fighters stood at their posts as long
as possible. and when Middleton made |
his successful charge the result could |
not be other than what it was. AM
munition and confidence were gone,
md the rebel retreat commenced. The |
half breeds left ten dead upon the
ield that day, and what losses the
.roops sustained they can only guess at.
: IF our ammunition had not given
out,u said Dumais, I'VE would have
Won this battle as easily as we did the
others, where the odds against us were
wen greater
Riel was not in any Of the fights; his
were at Batouche, whence
le issued his orders and directions. Tt
las been reported that he acted with
owardice, sold out and all Of that, but
0umont stoutly denies the charges, and
ives him credit for good conduct.
men did not see Riel after the
,attle; they hastened to where their
lorses We're, mounted and fled. They
re thankful for the protection afforded
hem on this side the line, and only
lope that their action may secure to the
lalf breeds of the northwest the rights
hey are entitled to.