The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-11

WINNIPEG, May 10.-Reports from the
front are to the effect that battle between
Middleton forces and Riel, st Batoche, has
been raging since yesterday morning. 1t
began by the cannonadiDg of the earthworks
of Riel by Middletons artillery corps The
result so far is understood TO be drawn
battle. An attempt will probably be made,
when the works have been reduced, 10 storm
the position simultaneously from the front
and flank, when frightfal fatalities are
Iikely to result, as the enemy are well armed
and fire deadly in aim.
Some Particulars of the Battle with Riel's
Rebels.
WINNIPEG, May TO- BATocHEs' CROSSING,
via CLARK S CROSSING, May 8 We left camp
at this morning, leaving all supplies and
tents behind. Ne marched seven mics
without seeing OF hearing anything of the
enemy. The morning was bright and warm.
Suddenly came the sound of q steamers
whistle blowing continuously. As we neared
we heard the sound Of heavy firing on our
front in the direction OF the river. Our line
Of march was rs follows: First, Boulton's
scouts, accompanied by a Gatling gun; gren-
adiers formed the advance guard, with bat
teIy; the Ninetieth battalion supported
them, with the Winnipeg battery and the
Midland battalion in reserve Gun. steamer,
scouts and Calling gun then pushed rapidly
auSdu, huu k0Vu came upon Two houses
near the brink OF the river, which hera
is very precipitous. An advanced party of
rebels were met, who fred and retired behind
house towards hollow. The Gating gun
was brought 10 bear on them. when they ran
| into house near the Church of st. Laurent,
which was also fred on by the Gatlng, when
| they ran out into the bush. "a" battery by
this time came up with d rush and got into
| position. sending several SHELLS after the
| rebels The grenadiers now advanced, march
| ing steadily into action, and deployed inio
| line, contln uiDg to advance in ekirnishing
| order till the church was reached, when
priest came out of house. waving 8 white
| flag. General Middleton advanced and shook
| hands, when three other priests snd five Sis
| tiers of Charity came out. A number Of half
| breed children were also inside, in charge OF
the Sisters. Father Moulin informed me
| that the steamer arrived at a point
| little above Batoche ct $50 q.
10. The repels Immediately commenced
| firing on Der from both banks. She shortly
after struck on mud bank, but swung clear
/ agaiD, and Just bsfore orr arrival passed the
crossing. He also said the rebels had six
killed and twelve wounded ct Fish Creek.
| We just got glimpse of the steamer down
the uver. She must have had q hard FIRE.
Her smokestack was gone. The grenad ers
| advanced, skirmishing through the brush
on the right of the trail, the Calling being
| Dc shed forward down the declivity toward
Bstoche now plainly visible in the valley
| below. Here the battery uDlimbered on top
OF the ridge, sending shells into them, and
while doing SO were almost surprised oy
| numb of rebels who crept up through The
brush, not being dlscoved until but twenty
! yards distant. They made rush for the guns,
! firing and yelling as they ran. Captain How
ard, who operates the Gatling gun, saH the
danger, ran the guns a coupe of yards
| front OF the battery, and, opening h.e, liter
ally moved the rebels down. Those remain
! ing turned and ran from the gun. Reaching
the shelter of the bUeh they opened fire
again. Howard's escape from injury was
something marvellous, bullets flying all
around him. He gallsntly maintained his
position, however. The rebels, unable to
stand the terrible Ere. retired to pits con.
structed in ravine running frem the river.
Our line wss now ss follows: The Forty
first and Fifteenth Companies of the Mid
land, with the Winnipeg battery. supported
by K and Companies of the Ninetieth, In
the center and extending across to the right,
! where the Grensdiers were supported on
the left by B Company Of the Ninetietb
on the right center oy ID Company
OF the Ninetieth and on the extrems right
by L and A companies. "A" battery Occu-
pied the left center, aftervard retiring to the
right near II a N. AZ Row write, Captain
French, with his scouts and part OF the dis.
mounted men of "A" battery, are down in
the ravine. Firing is now continuous on
the left and center. but scattered on the
right. After gallant but vain effort to
drive the rebels from the rifle pits, Erench's
scouts and the battery men retired. The
wounded are now coming in. At noon, the
list Of killed and wounded on our side is as
follows;
"a" Battery - Gunner Phillips, shot
through the stomach, died while being
brought ia; Thomas j. Stout, run over by
gun carriage. not fatal; Private Clappton,
shot through both legs one fractured; Gun
ners Fairbanks and Toohey, also shot in the
legs.
Creme sdiers-Captain Mason, Company V,
slight wound in thigh.
French Scouts--R Cook, slight wound in
the leg; Corley Allen. in the shoulder.
2p. m.-The rebels fire has gradually
ceased, the troops, however, still keeping up
a scattered fire along the line, gradually
slsckening until o'clock, when only few
shots were heard.
No more of our troops were hurt. VIM.
Bryce, lately q prisoner of Riel's, but who
escaped on Tuesday, was brought in by
scouts He says that Riers force is little
over 400, half of whom were on the other
side of the river when he left. He also says
that when ammunition was served to the
rebels only one keg OF powder remained,
and bullets were also scarce. The women
and children had been sent to the othsr side
of the river and the prisoners were safe go
far as he knew.
6p. m.-Bolton's horse have gons back TO
our corral TO bring up all the wagons and
supplies. We camp tonight here, General
Middleton being determined to hold the
position.
Capt. Young has just climbed on the roof
of the church and deserted o body Of Indians
on level near the river bank, about mile
ordered ont and sent several well directed
m II -