Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-02-22
THE RIEL REBELLION.
A Few Incidents a. Related by One of the
Volunteers.

The following account of incidents
in the Riel rebellion in Canada in 1854
is given us by a veteran and may
prove interesting to many. readers:
"I lived at Duck Lake at the time
the rebellion broke out and was well
acquainted with Capt. Moore and
Maj. Crosher of the mounted police,
and with Thomas and James Mccoy.
When these officers called for volun-
teers l Twas one of many who responded
and under the command of Major
Crosher we started for Fort Carltown
on the Saskatchewan river, where the
Indians had gathered. Reaching up
per Duck Lake we found the Indians
in force and using snow as breast
works. The reds and half-breeds took
no notice of the volunteers until the
latter got half way between Carapoo-
che and the Catholic church, when one
of the Oldest Indians carrying an OLD
flint lock rifle came forward to meet
us. Major Crosher determined to
take the gun and when the Indian Of
fered to shake hands Crosher took the
hand and gun at the same time. The
Indian protested that he wanted the
gun to kill game but Crosher would
not give it back. James Mccoy, the
interpreter, then drew his revolver
and killed the Indian, and this incl
dent brought on the fight.
"Dumont gave orders to the Indians
to shoot and at the first volley twelve
volunteers fell. The troops replied,
killing four Indians. Capt. Moore
then ordered the gunner to load with
grape and canister, but through excite
ment the gunner neglected to put any
powder in the gun. When Captain
Moore saw the mistake he drove a
nail in the vent of the gun
and ordered q retreat. The reds fol-
lowed US to Carltown, killing three
more of our number. Reaching Carl
town Lawrence Clark, Hudson Bay
officer, ordered US to burn the fort
and retreat to Prince Albert. The ex-
citement was 80 great that when he
reached Prince Albert Capt. Moore
used commissary stores for breast
works, but the Indians had been re-
strained by Riel from following us to
Prince Albert, Riel giving as a reason
that he didnot wish to kill the inno-
cent women and children.
al crossed the river on Aleck Fishers
ferry boat before the Batoch fight, ac-
companied by John Beede, Scotch
half-breed, intending to go to Fort
LaCon. AS we reached the plain we
saw a crowd of men on horseback. l
suggested going to them but Beede OBJ
jected as he thought they were Big
Bears men, which they proved to be.
They rode toward us, however, and
Nolo, the chief, recognized me and ad-
dressed me in Cree. They were going
to Fort LaCon also SO We etraveled to-
gether. When we reached the fort the
gates were open but l refused to ac-
company Nolo inside, fearing Turner
would know me. Nolo took all the
ammunition and provinder he wanted
and burned the rest, then turned back
for Jacob Beede's ferry across the
Saskatchewan. The ferry was on the
other side and the crossing very dan
gerous. After crossing Nolo sent out
a scouting party which reached an
English settlement and asked its in
habitants to join them. The people
agreed to do so but did not and Nolo,
after twenty-four hours warning, took
all their stores and CATTLE
"When they got within fifteen miles
of Bstoch a scout told them Middle
ton was on the hill building breast.
works. So Nolo went to Dumont's e
ferry on the Duck Lake side and
crossed. Here the Indians held q
council in the Catholic church and de.
cided to go to ,Ft. Fisher. Dumont
heard that boats were descending the
river with troops and ordered the In.
dians to lower the cables when the
boats were within reach. The Lily
with 800 men on board was the first