Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-05

was likely to be the object of an attack by
the half-breeds from Batoche The town
was garrisoned by force of mounted po-
lice and volunteers, but the defenses were
useless. Battleford was threatened hy
Stony and Cree Indiaps, although their
chief, Poundmaker, remained peaceably on
his reserve. thirty miles distant. Battle
ford composed of two parts, the old
town, situated upon the low ground south
of Battle river; the new town, including the
fort. occupying the ELEVATION next to the
Saskatchewan. The Indians plundered and
burned the old town and shut off all com
munication with the fort by cutting the
telegraph wires. The third point exposed
was Fort Pitt. between Battleford and Ed
monitor.
Beyond Fort Pitt lay the reserve of Big
Bear, and beyond this again the settle
ment of Frog Lake, among the Moose hills.
This was the scene of the saddest in
band of Big Bears followers entered the
village, disarmed the settlers on some
crafty pretext, and then deliberately shot
them down.
The Frog Lake Massacre.
1.-TWO brave priests, Father Fafard and
Father Marchand. were killed in an effort
to avert the tragedy. Through the human
ity of some friendly Cree Indians and half
breeds, who gave up their horses, the lives
of the women were spared. The murderous
SaVages next proceeded 10 an attack upon
Fort Pitt. which, lying low in meadow by
the river, with no adequate rampartS,
seemed incapable of defense. The small
garrison of twenty-three men, commanded
by Francis Dickens, of the great
novelist, refused to surrender to Big Bears
300 warriors. However, after successfully
repelling one attack, Dickens saw that the
position was untenable, and ma king his
way out of the fort, escaped down the
river.
settlers were in imminent danger. it was
necessary 20 send out from Qu'Appelle
three relief columns. The western column,
under Gen. Strange made up of about 600
men, was to advance against Big Bear.
From Calgary the route lay north to Ed
monitor. The middle column, of about the
same strength, was commanded by Col.
Otter, whose commission TO relieve
Battleford. The main or eastern division,
of which Gen. Middleton retained com
mand, had for its task the relief of Prince
Albert, and the crushing of the rising at
its heart, Batoche. The supplies of this
force together with Calling gun in
charge of Capt. Howard, were sent under
protection of the Midlanders to Swift Cur
rent, from which point they were to be
conveyed by the steamer Northcote
down the Saskatchewan to Clark's Cross
ing. trying march of 200 miles, over the
Touchwood Hills and through Salt Plain,
brought Middleton's force to Clark's Cross
ing. but the Northcote. delayed by the
shoals. was nowhere in sight.
without delaying Gen. Middleton moved
forward his men in two divisions, one on
each side of the river; and on April "a he
came upon the rebels in the ravine of Fish
creek. The Canadian troops We're eager for
the fight, c company leading followed
closely by the Goth of Winnipeg. After
stubborn resistance during which they in
ficted heavy loss upon the loyal troops the
rebels withdrew. Surprised at the bravery
and skill of the halfbreeds Gen. Middleton
decided to delay his advance upon Batoche
until the arrival of the Northcote and the
Midlanders.
Relief Of Battleford.
Meanwhile Offers task of relieving Bat
tleford was. at the conclusion of march
from Swift Current to the North Saskatche-
wan. successfully accomplished. Unfortu-
nately it was deemed necessary to send an
expedition against Poundmaker, although
the Indians who had been doing most dam
age In the neighborhood were not of his fol-
lowing. On the way to the reserve the
troops entered on May 2, a deep ravine.