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A CONTRIBUTION Til CANADA: An ENovrLoi'.i-niA of the CoiixTkv VOLUME IV. KiiiiBii Mv J. CASl'ELL HOPKINS Published by The Linscott Pubmshinu Company, Toronto, Ont. v _•'' ,^> ^■* tf-i» /'"♦■// »^ "^ V |f. ¥; ^Q-UM '.-f s? ik THE NORTH-WEST REBELLION OF 1H8> BY LIEUT. -COLONnL JAMES MASON, Comnianding ///<• h'oyiiK-riiiiuli.is. IN the bi;j,'inuin}; of 1885 it was known at Ottawa that discontent existed amongst the Half-breeds settled on the Saskatche- wan and in the district in the vicinity of Prince Albert, and that Louis Ricl was living among them. No suspicion was felt that this would culminate in a rebellion ; but about the middle of March some stores were raided and Government emplDjtis made prisoners. Major Crozier, who was stationed at Fort Carlton in command of a small body of the North-West Mounted Police, received this news on the igth of March and at once sent over to Prince Albert, distant about forty miles, for re-enforcements. A meeting was held there and a force of forty volunteers arrived at Fort Carlton about 10 o'clock on the night of the 20th. Major Crozier had already received a letter from Kiel demand- ing his surrender. A force of 100 men of the N.W.M.P. had been despatched in great haste from Regina under command of Lieut. -Colonel Irvine and their arrival was anxiously awaited. Colonel Irvine arrived at Prince Albert on the 24th of March, but in the meantime Major Crozier had decided to remove from Duck Lake, a small Half-breed settlement close to Fort Carl- ton, the provisions and forage which were there stored ; and about four o'clock in the morning of the 26lh he sent a small detachment with a dozen sleighs to remove these supplies. The detachment was turned back by a party of Half-breeds headed by Gabriel Dumont, a noted hunter and Indian fighter, who became the mili- tary leader of the rebellion. Major Crozier him- self then set out, his force amounting to about 100 men. On nearing Duck Luke a fight took place in which the Half-breeds were the victors, nine Prince Albert volunteers and three police- men being killed and the Government force com- m pelled to retire. Six of the rebels were killed. Colonel Irvine then considered it best to evacuate P'ort Carlton and retire on Prince Albert and this WHS done on the 28th. A portion of Fort Carlton caught fire by accident and was burned, and the place was then taken possession of by Riel and his men. The Government at Ottawa, on learning that a disturbance had thus begun, determined to grapple vigourously with the trouble, for the danger that presented itself was not so njuch the Half-breed rising under Riel, which was confined to a certain locality, but the tear of an Indian rising throughout the whole country — that in the excitement of war, and at the instigation of Riel, the whole Indian population of the country might rise and bring death ar.d desolation to the peaceful homes of the settlers. This was a formidable danger, as the Indians numbered some thirty thousand, and the effect of such a rising upon the North-West would be most disastrous and lasting. Canada was most fortunate in having at this time at the head of its Militia an officer so well qualified for the duties that now devolved upon him as Major-General Middleton. That officer was at once dispatched to Winnipeg by the Min- ister of Militia, the Hon. (now Sir) Adolphe Caron. No specific instructions were given him, but he was to be governed by circumstances and take the field if necessary against the insurgl6nts. The General went by way of Chicago, U.S., the Canadian Pacific Railway not being quite finished, and arrived at "Winnipeg at 7 a.m. on the 27th, after travelling continuously for three days and three nights. On his arrival he learned of the fight at Duck Lake, and decided to at once proceed to the North-West and take with him the Winnipeg Militia, which had already been called out, and which consisted of a battery of 520 CANADA: AV ENCVCI.OIVT'.DIA. artillery of two y pounders (64 of all tanks) under command of Major E. W, Jarvis ; a small troop of Cavalry, 33 strong, commanded by Captain Knip;ht ; and the goth Battalion of Rifles, 314 strong, commanded by Major MacKeand. These troops were inspected and found in fairly good order and full of fight, and orders were given that the Rifles should be prepared to start that night for Qu'Appelle, whither a detachment of three officers and 30 men had already been sent ; the remaining troops to follow next day with the ex- ception of the Cavalry, which was to remain at Winnipeg. During his shcrt stay in Winnipeg the General ."ecured the services of Captain Bedson, then Warden of the Government Gaol near Winnipeg. To Captain Bedson was as- signed the very important position of Chief Tran- sport Officer, and he proved himself well worth v of the selection. At 6 p.m. on the ilay of his arrival the General left Winnipeg, taking with him the goth Battalion, and was accompanied by Lieut. -Colonel Hough- ton, the Deputy Adjutant -General of the District, Captain Bedson,and his own A.D.C., Captain H.E. Wise, of the Cameronians. He arrived next morning at Troy or Qu'Appelle Station, on the C. P.R., which place he made his primary base. He was here met by the Hon. Mr. Dewdnej', Lieut. - Governor of the North-West Provinces. Mr. Dewdney was of opinion that affairs were in a very critical state, and that if the troops were defeated the consequences would be most disastrous to the country, as there would probablybe a general rising of the Indians. After a long conference the Gen- eral decided upon a plan of campaign,but as he had so few troops with him the carrying out of his plan would necessarily be deferred, although by this time a call upon the Militia had been made and troops would soon be hurrying up. He made up his mind to march at once on Datoche, a village on the Saskatchewan some 243 miles to the north and which Riel had made his head-quarters. On the next day, the 28th, arrangements were made for the immediate advance of the troops. A system of transport and commissariat was or- ganized, and with the assistance of the Hudson's Bay Company,thedifficultiesattendantupon these important departments in such a country were finally surmounted. The medical arrangements had also to be considered. The General had sufficient for his immediate wants and knew the Minister of Militia was organizing a Medical Staff Corps with the assistance of Dr. Bergin, M.P. On the 2nd April a march was ,uide to Fort ^)u'Appelle, some eighteen miles to the north. Here the General was joined by a small body of Scouts, some thirty in number, under command of Captain John French, all well mounted on native horses and armed with repeating Win- chesters. This corps did excellent service. He The Hon. Sir Adolphe Caron. also heard from Ottawa that the following troops had left for the front : N. Cn's. Officers. and Men. Royal Canadian Artillery, A and B Batteries (Permanent) ij 213 Infantry School Corps — " C " Company (Permanent) 5 85 2nd Battalion (Queen's Own Rifles) lb 257 loth Battalion (Royal Grena- diers) 17 250 CANADA; AN ENCYCLOPEDIA. 5" had the licnl K''«i •"ort rth. y of and on /ill- He ing len. With the artillery were twenty-seven horses and four guns. Tlie ni'Xt two days were spent at Qu'Appelle, the weather beinj^ bitterly cold with heavy falls t if snow. On the ist Apiil Lord Melgund, now Earl u{ Minio and (i-SgN) Gover- nor-General of Canada, arriviil from the east. His Excellency, Lord Lansdownc-, tlio (jover- nor-General, wliosc Military Siicrctar)' Lord Mul- gund was, had kindly pertnittid him to cotnc at the request of General Middleton, who at once appointed him his Chief of Staff. The relieving troops were coming up by the Canadian Pacilic Railway, though there were still unfinished gaps in the line to the east of Tort Arthur. But it was thought better as a matter of policy to use a Canadian route only, especially as the United States Government would not permit our troops to traverse American territory with their arms, although these gaps had to be crossed under (jreat difficulties, both of ground and weather. An extract from a Report to the General by Lieut. -Colonel Montizamhert, commanding the Artillery on this march, will give an idea of the difficulties and hardships which were so cheer- fully borne by these citizen soldiers, both infantry and artillery: " Here began the difficulties of passing the gaps on the unconstructed portion of the road. About 400 miles between the west end of the track and Red Rock or Nepigcn — sixty-six miles from Port Arthur — had to be passed by a constantly varying process of embarking and disembarking guns and stores from flat cars to country team sleighs, and vice versa. There were sixteen operations of this nature in cold weather and deep snow. On starting from the west end ofthe track on the night of the 30th March the roads were found so bad that it took the guns seventeen hours to do the distance (thirty miles) to Magpie Camp. On from there to the east end ofthe track by team sleighs and marching twenty-three miles further on ; on flat cars (uncovered and open) eighty miles, with the thermometer at 50 deg. below zero. Heron Bay, Pdft Munro, McKellar's Bay, Jackfish, Isbister, McKay's Harbour were passed by alternate flat cars on construction tracks; and, teaming in fearful weather round the north shore of Lake Superior, Nepigon or Red Rock was reached on the evening of the 3rd April. The men had had no sleep for four nights." Lord Melgund, in an interesting account written by him of the events which came under his own notice and published in the Nineteenth Century of August, 1885, says: " The time of year was the most unpleasant for campaigning, the winter was just breaking up, snow was still on the ground, but was rapidly be- connng slush, and vvu feared that with each suc- ceeding day the trails would become more difficult. It was evident that we should draw nu supplies from the country through which we had to march. We should pass no settlements of atiy impor- tance, and, though the snow would soon begone, there would as yet be no grass for our horses. We should have to carry everything — men's rations, hay and corn. Army transport did not exist, and the General was at once thrown upon his own resources as to the arrangements for feeding the troops about to take the field. Prov- identially, there existed in the North West a ready-made transport and supply office. The Hudson's Bay Company knew the country and its customs, and where to obtain what was re- quired, 'llie Companyagreed to furnish transport and supplies, the detailed arrangements being left with the officers of the expedition selected by the General. To the Hudson's Bay Company, and to the untiring zeal and the organization of Captain Bedson, Genera! Middleton's chief transport officer, a large share of the success of the expedition is due. Our transport consisted of light four-wheeled waggons, carrying about one and a half tons with two horses — the horses, as a rule, being excellent. The Bell Fa'-m (a farm of 60,000 acres, and one of the g*- c agiicuhural speculations of the North-Wesi ,ieU supplied ='"fy teams. At the commencement of the campaign we paid $10 a day per team, but latterly the price was some- what reduced. Towards the end of the campaign we had in General Middleton's line of communi- cations 745 teams, working in perfect order, in connection with a system of depots. On the 2nd of April General Middleton left ^u'appelle Station, and marched nineteen miles to Fort Qu'Appelle, n Hudson's Bay post. He halted there till the 6th, the time being fully occupied in rifle practice and general instruction of our small force, and in organization of transport. On the 6th we commenced our march in earnest. The country is not difficult for troops. Rolling J" CANADA: AN KNCVCLOP V DI A. prairiu l.ind ciwureil here anil there more or loss thickly wirh iMjplar 'bluffs,'* it resembles much an Kii^-lish park, i'ji^^'incercd roads there are iioni', but there are fivv bad f^radiciits, and few watercourses; and hukily for ns the frost was still deep cnouj,'h in the ground to give good bottom to what might later in tliu season have proved awkwanl quaf,'inires. Though tlie season was breaking, the cold was intense, Our tent- pegs froze fast in the ground, and we had to cut them out on striking camp. Our boots froze to the stirrup irons. There was a pi;petu' DctacliiiHiit Houltoii's Scouts It) Total Alter a m.iroh of eiRhtcjii miles the ('oliiniiis camped. )j)i)osito each other and early nixt niorn- iwg the tiiarci) was resumed. Tlie trail on the (ieneral's side led away from the b mk of the river and his C'olumn soon disap])cared from si;^'ht of tliat on the other side. Some live or six milis ahead of tlic General's last camping ground the trail led through a deep and thickly wooded ravine, thronf;h which ran a stream called Fish Creek. The General was aware of this and, althonj;h liatoche was still some miles distant, the usual precautions were taken in approaching an enemy. That this was wisely done was proved in a most unmis- takable manner, for after a march of some five miles a sudden and desperate attack was made by the Half-breeds and Indians under command of Gabriel Dumont. The mounted Scouts first came under fire and then the advance guard of the 90th. The General quickly brought up his main body with the artillery and after some sharp lighting the rebels returned to the coulee or ravine from which they had emerged. There a number of them made a stand in some rifle pits they had previously prepared, and, although the whole force of the General aided by troops brought from across the river fired upon them, they were not disloilged, and proved themselves to be brave and desperate fighters. An offer to charge the rebel position with his Company was made by an officer of the Grenadiers, but the General con- sidered that the risk was too great, and that he had already lost too many of his citizen soldiers. The conduct of the troops was most satisfactory; although at first so suddenly attacked they had quickly got into the formations necessary to repel the attack and to follow up the retiring foe, and this m spite of heavy and severe losses. The Colunin on the other side of the river had Huon bccomu aware of the fact th.it the fighting had begun, and advanced rapidly along the bank until opposito the scene of the cng.igement, which w.is a milo or so inland. The rattle of musketry, the booming and bursting of shells, and the shouts and yells and war-whoo|)S of the combatants were of course distinctly heard and tile siMiike of the burning |)rairie was S(;en, fired by the Iiiiiiaiis so that thry might creep down iiiidtr its cover on their enemies. The eagerness of llie troops to cross to the assistance of tluir haiil-pressed comrades was naturally keen, ainl aU'jr sonie time the ferry scow that had been floated down from Clarke's Crossing was brought to the edge of the river and a Company of Grenadiers einbaikeil. l.orti Melguiid crosse I with this Company. Two other Companies of the Grenadiers followed, and the Winnipeg I'ield Hattery brought over their guns, notwithstanding the apparent impossibility of the task. A Ctun- pany of Grenadiers and Trench's Scouts did not cross, being in charge of stores, waggons, etc. The General in his Report refers to this crossing in the following manner : "To fully appreciate the rapidity with which this was done in spite of the dilficulties that existed the river must be seen. Wooded heights on each side, loo feet high, at bottom large boulders encrusted in thick, sticky mud, a fringe of huge blocks of ice on each side, a wretched scow carrying about sixty men at most, pulled with oars made with an axe, and a rapid current of three or four miles an hour were the obstacles that were surmounted by dint of determination and anxiety to join with and aid their comrades." The casualties at Fish Creek were extremely heavy considering the strength of the force that had borne the brunt of the figliting. The killed and those who died of wounds numbered ten, including Lieut. Swinford of the 90th; and the wounded, of whom many were seriously injured, numbered over forty, including Capt. Clarke of the 90th, and Capt. Gardiner of Boulton's Scouts. Both the General's Aides, Capt. Wise and Lieut. Doucet, were wounded ; the General himself had a narrow escape, a bullet passing through his fur cap; and a number of the mounted officers had their horses shot under them. The losses of the rebels could not then be ascertained, but it was afterwards learned to be eleven killed, or ilieij M4 CANADA ; AN KNCVCI.OP.f.niA from woiinils, besiilci two Indiniiit left dead on the AcUl, and eighteen wounded ; lome flfty or RJxty of their ponies were killed. Night WHS coming on und promised to be, as it turned out, rold and intensely disagreeable ; snow and sleet falling and adding to the discomfort of the tired troops and the sufTrring wounded. A zareb.i was formed near the scene of the engage- ment and the wounded cared for. Strong picquets were posted and mounted Scouts patrolled round the canip every hour. Meantime the rebels quietly (ii'camped to Hatoche. Next morning the dead were biirittl, the General reading the service, no clergyman being presL>nt, and preparations began for bringing over the suppliis and transport from the other side. This occupied two days and was carried out satisfactorily by Captain Haig, K.K., A.y.M.G. The steamer Notthcote was daily ex- pected with supplies and re-enforcements but had evidently been detained and it was therefore de- cided to send the wounded to Saskatoon, a small white settlement up the river some fourteen miles, the inhabitants of which had kindly and thought- fully offered their houses and services for them. Houlton's Scouts formed the escort for this duty. The day following there arrived at Saskatoon Deputy Surgeon-General Roddick and an admir- able staff and medical outfit, under whose care all the wounded recovered but two, who had been mortally hurt. The time spent at Fish Creek Camp was utilized by the General in practising the men at field drill, skirmishing, etc., and in reconnoitering daily towards Batoche. On the 5th May the long expected steamer arrived, bringing in additional supplies of ammunition, oats, etc., and two Companies (about 80 men) of the Midland Battalion under command of Lieut. -Colonel Williams ; a Gatling Gun under charge of a Captain Howard, late U.S. Army, and agent of the Gatling Co. ; and Lieut.-Colonel Van Straii- benzie, an old Crimean officer, who had retired and was serving in the Canadian Militia as a Deputy Adjutant-General. The Infantry were formed into a brigade and Lieut.-Colonel Van Straubenzie appointed Brigadier. The steamer Northcote was, under the direction of Captain Haig, made bullet proof, so far as it could be done, and a small force was placed on board to aaiist on the attack on nati)che. The fore* consiitcd of about 30 rank and file of " C " Co. I.S.C. under command of Major Smith, and lome aick and wounded officers were also placed on board. A move was made on the 7th May, and in the evening the camp was pitched iif Gabriel Du> mont's Ferry, Ave or six miles from Hatoche. Next day, instead of following the river trail, the march was across the prairie to the East, striking; the main trail from Humboldt, and camp was formed some nine or ten mi.es from Batoche. That evening the General assembled in his tent the Commanding Officers of Corps and told them what he proposed doing. With every available fighting man Batoche was to be attacked the next morning, only non-combatants and disabled or sick men to ^e left in the camp or zareba, which was strongly made. The fighting was expected to be severe, as Batoche was the head- quarters of the rebellion and its seat of govern- ment. It was known that the place had been strongly entrenched or fortified with rifle pits, and its defenders felt they were in the last ditch, with the possible consequencet* of their act staring them in the face. The attacking forces had no reserves and failure might mean serious disaster to the column and the country ; so both sides were on their mettle. A mail came in that night and many sat late in their tents reading the news from home and writing what they felt might be, and for some of them was, their farewell message. An incident might be here related to show the spirit that animated the men. As already mentioned all sick or disabled men were to remain, and after the General's instructions to his Commanders the Surgeons were ordered to examine any men about whose condition there was any doubt. An officer of the Grenadiers in going about the Camp that evening heard his name called and on looking saw Surgeon Ryerson of his Regiment examining a private of the Corps whose foot had been badly and painfully frozen. The man could only wear on the foot a moccasin over a piece of blanket. The Surgeon had declared that the man was unfit to march, and, in his eager desire not to be left behind, the plucky fellow appealed to the officer. The de- cision was as he wished and he marched out tha CANADA ; AN KN'CYCI-OP f,r>IA. 5»S next morning, but, unluckily for him, he Wim severely wouniicd and ruturncil to hiii home with a permanently crippled shoulder. What makes this man's conduct more praisuwortliy is that the General hud arraii(,'id that the Grtiuidicr.i should have the post of liononr and lead the attack, and this the man know. Kcvvillu sounded at four o'clock on the next morniuK, and in an hour or so later the Coluiim ntarched out of the camp. The day was tine and warm and the spirit of the men was cheerful. The order of tlui march was as follows : Uoulton's Mountel with supports. Catling Gun. Royal Grenadiers, with an advanced Guard. 90th Battalion. "A" Battery, two nine-poumlers K.M.L. puns. Two Companies Midland Battalion. Winn'peg Field Battery, two nine-pounders R.M.Lguns. Ammunition wagfi^ons. Ambulance. French's Scouts. About 8 a.m. the whistle of the Sorlhcote was heard, soon followed by a sharp musketry tire. It was afterwards learned that the boat on approach- ing Batoche was fired upon from both banks of the river. This was returned. The firing became specially heavy as she passed Batoche, and a crash was heard. About two miles below that place the fire slackened and the boat came to anchor. It was then learned that the snickf*' stack and steam whistle had been swept away by the Ferry cable and were lyin^jon the deck. The explanation of this by the Master was that the firing being so heavy he could not manage the boat and he was upon the cable before he was aware of it. An attempt was made to ^et the boat up stream again but this could not be done in the condition in which she was, and she pro- ceeded down stream, under fire, for several miles. After reaching a place of safety she was repaired and returned to Batoche, but too late to be of assistance. Several on board were wounded. Very soon after the attack was made on the Northcote the advancing Column cameinto action. The artillery began the attack by two guns firing on some barricaded houses, from which men were seen issuing. Boulton's Scouts were fired upon from concealed rifle pits and they retired as ordorod. The Grenadiers now advanced in skirni:r the purpose of creeping up under cover of the smoke, and the flames threatened the building. It be- came evident that the rebels' position was a very strong one. It was growing late and although holding our own it was thought that it would not be advisable to risk an attempt to advance through the thick cover that surrounded the village no.'/ swarming with an enemy, re-en- forced by the party that had been attacking tliL- steamboat. The General now thought it wise to prepare for possibilities, and wrote orders to be sent by telegr.iph to Humboldt to close up the troops in the line of communication so as to be on hand if required. He also wrote a despatch to the Minister of Militia on the state of affairs which he determined to send by Lord Melgund. The latter was naturally averse to leaving the General at such a time, but the General's com- mands were paramount and Lord Melgund left during the afternoon on the understanding that he would be telegraphed to at Winnipeg if matters became worse and he would then return with any troops he might find there. 5»<» CANAIV\: AX FA'CYCI OP.EDIA. The question then arose as to whether the troops should camp where they were or retire to their standing camp of the night before. Having decided to remain, orders were given to bring up tlie waggons, tents and supplies, Major Boulton with bis scouts forming the escort. The ground selected for the camp was a ploughed field in which there was o slough or pond of water — about a (juarter of a mile from the church. A zareba was formed with the waggons but no tents were pitched excepting a marquee for the wounded. The troops gradually fell back followed up by the enemy, who mamtained a hot fire which was kept up till dark, and, even all through the night shots were directed into the camp — some horses biting killed and two men wounded. The hospital tent became a tar^tt, bullets passing through it and all lights having to be extinguished. A strong picket guard was mounted, and, after a hearty supper, the troops rested and slept under and about the waggons. Early next morning the Infantry were ordered out and took up positions less advanced than those occupied the day before, as it was found that the enemy had pushed forward and held the high ground about the cemetery and the ground in front oi* the church. The d.iy passed in the exchange of shots with more or less briskness. A body of mounted men, fifty in number, called the Land Surveyor's Scouts, or intelligence corps, under command of Captain Dennis, joined dur- ing the afternoon, and they proved a useful body and did good service. The casualties of this day among the troops were one killed and five wounded. On Monday, the third day, a recon- naissance was made by the General to the north- east of the village for the purpose of learning the exact situation of the enemy, and with a view to preparing for a final attack. The Infantry moved out as on the day before, but advanced further and kept up a constant fire. This prac- tice was good for the men; they understood better the niode of fight followed by their adver- saries and v/ere much cooler. The retirement to the camp was, as usual, followed up by the • enemy, the firing being, at times, quite warm. The casualties on this day were four wounded, including one officer. The morning of Tuesday, the I2th of May, the fourth day, dawned bright and warm. The Gen- eral made a demonstration in the direction of the ground reconnoitred by him the d.iy before, tak- ing with him all the mounted men, one gun of "A" Battery and the Gatling. On reaching his destination, he dismounted some of the men and firing began with all arms. The rifle pits at this point were found to be filled with the enemy and a heavy firing was kept up. During this firing a man was seen riding furiously towards the General waving a white flag; he proved to be one of Kiel's white prisoners, and was the bearer of a note from Riel stating that if the women and children were killed he would mas- sacre the prisoneis. The answer was that if the K cation of the women and children was pointed out no shot or shell would be fired at it. Imme- diately following, another messenger, also a white prisoner, came up on foot with a duplicate letter. One of these men, a Mr. Astley.a Civil Surveyor, gallantly returned as he had promised to do; the other man did not return. The General returned with a loss of one killed, an officer of the intelligence corps, and on arriving at the camp he learned that owing to a strong wind blowing the firing of his party had not been heard, thus defeating the purpose of his move- ment — it having been arranged that the attack by him which would have the effect of drawing the enemy from the rifle pits at the front was to be the signal for a general advance. After dinner the Infantry moved out, and it soon became apparent that the men were determined not to be held at bay any longer, for a general advance be- gan almost simultaneously. The pace increased as they went on, and ended with a charge which carried the enemy's position ; the prisoners were released, the enemy fled and the headquarters of the rebellion came into the hands of the victorious force. The troops behaved with the utmost dash and gallantry ; each corps seeming to vie with the others in its eagerness to close with the rebels, and they proved their fitness for the arduous and trying duties that had been imposed upon them. The casualties of this day were five killed, among whom were four officers, and twenty-five wounded, including two officers. A large number CANADA: AN RNCYCLOP/KDI A. S»7 of impurtaiit papers and documents were also bcrurod. The loss of the rebels during the four days' fighting was fifty-unc killed and one hundred and seventy three wounded, of whom forty-seven were killed and one hundred and sixty-three wounded on the last day. Many prisoners were taken and for several days men were constantly coming in and surrendering their arms. A thor- ough search was made for Riol ; and he, f(.aring to fall inio the hands of the troopers who were in search of him, gave himself up. This was on the 15th of May. He had in his possession a letter from the General written the day liatoche was captureil, guaranteeing iiis life if he surrendered, until he was handed over to the civil author- ities. Kiel was sent down under strong escort to Regina ar.d there dclivertd up to the civil power. The wounded were sent by steamer to the Hospital at Saskatoon, and the column then crossed the Saskatchewan and moved on towards Prince Albert — situated near tiie junction of the north and south branches of the Saskatchewan. Prince Albert was reached on the 20th of May and the troops received a warm welcome from its inhabitants, who had been cut off for two months from all te'egraphic and mail communi- cation, and, althouj^h protected by a force of 200 Mounted Polire, umier command of Lieut. -Col- onel Irvine, and a local corps, were in a constant state of an.\iety and sunpense. Although no attack had been made upon them a disaster to General Middleton's Column would probably have brought on them an overwhelming force of the rebels. After a delay of le>=s than two days the Column moved towards Battleford, partly by steamer and partly by land, arriving there on May 24th. The plan of campaign arranged by General Midilleton had been as follows : to move the principal Column, under his own command, direct to Clark's Crossmg, a telegraphic station and ferry on the South Saskatchewan, about forty miles by trail from Batochc ; a second Column under Lieut. -Colonel Otter to start from Swift Current, a C. P. R. station some 150 miles to the westward of Troy, or Qu'Appelle Station, and a few miles from the south branch of the Saskatchewan — this Column to proceed along the west bank of the river and to meet that of the General at Clark's Crossing. If the enemy was not found there, then both Columns were to proceed to Batoche, keeping the river between them. After Batoche had been captured, one Column might, if necessary, march to Prince Albert and the other push on to Battleford, to which place the General purposed sending, at the beginning, a re-enforcement of Mounted Police under command of Lieut. -Colonel Herchmer — the whole of the Mounted Police Force having been put under the General's command. A third Column was to be formed at Calgary under command of Major-General Strange, late R. A., who had placed his services at the disposal of the Government. This Column, after over-awing the Indians in the district, would move on to Edmon- ton an I |)roceed down the North Saskatchewan to Fort Pitt, where it would be met by General Mid- dleton, who would then proceed with it to follow ap and dispose of Big Bear, and this, it was expected, would end the rebellion. The Battleford Column, The Column under Colonel Otter, assembled at Swift Current, con- sisted of the following: N. W. Mounted Police (one gun) under Lieut. -Colonel Hirchmer 50 men. "B" Battery R. C. A., Major Short * (two guns) iij " One-half "C" Company I.S.C, Lieut. Wadmore ^(j •' G.G. Foot Guards, Captain Todd 51 •• gueeii's Own Rifles," Lieut. -Colonel Millar j;.i " Scouts 6 ■' Total of all ranks 5_]j " In consequence of the al;uiiiiiig reports from Inspector Morris, the officer in command of the N. W. M. P. at Battleford, as to the imminent and immediate danger that place was exposed to, the General felt it necessary to direct the Column under Lieut. -Colonel Otter to march straight to Battleford. Later on the General knew that the danger had been very greatly over-stated, and it was a subject of much regret to him that his original plan had not been carried out. The Battleford Column left Swift Current on the i3tli April, but was prevented from crossing the Sas- katchewan, some twenty-five miles distant, until 5^8 CANADA; AN ENCVCLOP/liDIA. the evening of the 17th. The march was resumed on the iSth, and, without any event of importance occuring, on thn evening of the 23rd, the Colunm lialted within three miles of Battle- ford. The distance was accomplished expediti- ously, the last part, from the Saskatchewan Ferry, 160 miles, being made in five days and a half. The country traversed was a vast and unoccupied prairie, covered in the summer sea- son with luxuriant vegetation. The train was a long one, for, in addition to the twenty-five days' rations, twenty days' oats, ten days' hay and five days' wood, waggons were taken sufficient to carry the greater part of the Infantry. The waggon train (200) increased the strength to 745 officers and men, with 450 horses. Battleford is situated on the Upper Saskatche- wan, at its junction with Battle River, and some 200 miles north of Swift Current. The source of danger here was the proximity of Pound- maker's Indians. ThisCreeChief waslooked upon as one of the most astute of the Indians, and as not likely to commit himself to the rebellion unless well assured of success ; although some of his band had been committing depredations. Several settlers had been killed, stock had been driven off and houses pillaged and destroyed. Word was sent to Battleford of the Column's arrival, but it had scarcely camped before it was found necessary to send out the N. W. M. P. and Scouts to drive off a party of Indians then engaged in destroying property near the town. Next day the camp was moved to near Gov- ernment House, opposite the town, and the garrison taken over, which consisted of the following : N. W. M. P., Inspector Dickens 43 men. Battleford Rifle Company, Captain Nash. 45 " Home Guards, Captains Wild and Scott 134 '< Making a total of 222 " Between three and four hundred of the inhabitants, who had been living within the barrack square, now returned to their homes as soon as the column had been moved across the river into the town on the 8th of May, one company being left in occupation of Government House. During the occupation by Colonel Otter's Column, that officer having learned mat a force of Cree and Stoncy Indians, numbering about two hundred men, were camped near the reserve of the former tribe, some thirty-eight miles from Battleford, and having been informed that Poundmaker was hesitating between peace and war, the latter to result should he obtain assistance from Dig Bear's tribe, felt it necessary to take such action as would compel Poundmaker to declare himself and so prevent a junction of the forces of the two chiefs. Accordingly a reconnaissance in force was determined on, and Lieut -Colonel W. D. Olter. on the 1st of May, at 2 p.m., he left Battleford with seventy-five Mounted Police, of whom fifty were mounted ; eighty of "B" Battery, R.C.A. ; forty-five " C " Company, I.S.C. ; twenty Gover- nor-General's Foot Guards; sixty Queen's Own Rifles (including the ambulance corps of the same regiment); forty-five of the Battleford Rifles; and one Gatling Gun, with two seven-pounders belonging to the Police— the latter selected as being more easy of transport than the nine- pounder guns of the R.C.A. A train of forty- i CANADA : AN ENCYCLOr^EDIA S>9 eight waf^gons was taken to carry the men, rations and stores. The force halted at 8 p.m. for four hours, until the moon rose, and then pushed on through the night, reaching at day-break the Indian's camp which was seen on the higher of two hills, part.ally surrounded by a deep ravine with a large creek — now so well known as Cut Knife Creek — running through it. Crossing the creek the advanced guard of Scouts and Police were almost at the top of the lower hill before their presence was discovered and the general alarm sounded. The crest of the hill was hardly gained before firing began. Tlie Police immedi- ately extended on the brow ; the guns were pushed forward (supported by "3" Battery men) into the same line, and opened fire with shrapnel upon the camp. The Indians, not ex- pecting an attack, were evidently taken by sur- prise, but very quickly gathered themselves together. The fight then became general, and the troops behaved well when fairly settled down to their work. Early in the engagement the trail of one of the guns gave way, rendering it useless, and later a similar calamity befell the other one. At ii o'clock, that is, six hours after the fight had begun, it was found that although the flanks and rear were clear the position was not tenable, both guns being practically useless, and the numerous wounded requiring attention. It was also believed that the Indians in camp had received the re-cnforcements from Big Bear, as the number engaged appeared to be very much greater than was supposed. Colonel Otter con- cluded to withdraw and return at once to Battle- ford in case a counter attack might be made on that place. The wounded and dead, with the exception of a man of the G.G. Foot Guards, whose body had rolled into a deep ravine, were placed in the waggons, the creek was crossed in safety, and the various corps withdrew from their respective positions. The enemy did not follow, although had they done so much delay and loss of life might have resulted as the country was favourable to them. Battleford was reached about ten o'clock at night. The casualties were eight killed and fourteen wounded. The movement which led to this engagement was made without orders from Gen- eral Middleton. The force at Battleford, includ- ing the original garrison, was kept engaged in patrolling the district to keep open communi- cation for supplies, and in searching for infor- mation regarding the enemy. A supply train of twenty ox and three horse teams wdf^^aptured about fifteen miles from Battleford by the In- dians, and a patrol of police was attacked by a superior force of Indians and obliged to retire with the loss of one killed and one wounded. The Alberta Field Force. At the outbreak of the rebellion anxiety prevailed among the districts in this part of the country. Some of the most important of the Indian tribes, however, in the neighbourhood of Calgary proved loyal and this saved the Government from much embarrass- ment. The following letter, dated nth April, 1895, from Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfeet tribe, to the Government, was read in Parlia- ment : " On behalf of myself and people I send through you to the Great Mother the words I have given to the Governor at a council held, at which my minor chiefs and young men were present. We are agreed and determined to remain loyal to the Queen. Our young men will go to work on their reserves and will raise allthticiops we can, and we hope the Govern- ment will help us to sell what we can't use. Continued reports and many lies are brought to us and we don't know what to believe, but, now that we have seen the Governor and heard him speak, we will shut our ears and only listen to and believe through the Governor. Should any Indians come to our reserves and ask us to join them in war we will send them away. I have sent messengers to the Bloods and Piegans who belong to our treaty to tell them what we are doing and what we intend to do about the trouble. I want Mr. Denny to be with us and all my men are of the same mmd. The words I sent by Father LaCombe 1 again send : ' We will be loyal to the Queen whatever happens.' I have a copy of this and when the trouble is over will have pride to show it to the Queen's officers; and we leave our future in your hands. We have asked for nothing, but the Governor has given us a little present of tea and tobacco. We will tell you what other talk we had at our council. It is all good, not one bad word. Crowfoot." But it was different in the vicinity of Edmonton, situated on the North Saskatchewan. Messages 53© CANADA ; AN ENCYCLOPEDIA. imploring assistance had been received at Cal- gary ; the Indians, having risen, destroyed farms, plundered all food supplies and at Frug Lake committed atrocious murders. This latter place, some thirty miles from Fort Pitt, contained a Hudson's Bay Post and a Roman Catholic mission, and was the headquarters of an Indian agency. It was surrounded by numerous tribes of Indians and ainonjf the most conspicuous of the chiefs was Big Bear. This Chief had before given trouble to the N. W. M. P. and he and his braves were the leaders of the rebellion at tliis point. When the news of the Duck Lake fifjht reached them they immediately went on the war-path — doubtless in accordance with the pro- gramme arranged by Big Bear on his visit to Riel a few months before. He and his band visited, at day-light on the morning of 2n(J April, the Hudson's Bay store and demanded provisions ; other stores were also visited and similar demands made. It was the day before Good Friday and the people were assembled in the church for early morning service. Tliey were rudely disturbed by tiie Indians, who followed them out and shortly afterwards shot down and murdered nine men, including the two priests — the latter while ministering to dying men — besides carrying off a number of women and children, among whom were the families of some of the murdered victim?!. A local force was at once organized at Calgary, and on 20th April the advance force left under the I ersonal command of General Strange. It was composed of four companies, 65th Battalion, 160 strong, under command of Lieut. -Colonel Hughes, and a mounted detachment under com- mand of Major Steele, with 20 N. W. Mounted Police and 40 Scouts. This small force had to guard a long line of 175 waggons and carts unavoidably extending at times a distance of one and one-half to two nides. Edmonton was reached on the ist of May after a inarch of much hardship, snow-storms being encountered and rivers and morasses crosse CANADA: AN RNrvrLOPiKDlA. ford on the 22nJ of May. On the 23rd, as the steamer Northwest, on board of which was the General, was proceeding up the North Saskatch- ewan River, a canoe came out from the bank and ran alongside and an Indian, accompanied by a white man, citme on board. The Indian proved to be a messenger from Puundmaker; the white man a prisoner captured by tlie Indians who acted as interpreter. The Indian handed the General a letter written in English which read as follows : " Eagle Hills, May 19th, 1885. Sir : I am camped with my people at the east end of the Eagle Hills, where I iini met by tliu news of the surrender of Riel. No letter came with the news so that I cannot tell how far it may be true. I send some of my men to you to learn the truth and the terms of peace, and hope you will deal kindly with them. I and my people wish you to send us the terms of peace in writing so that we may be under no misunder- standing, from which so much trouble arises. We have twenty-one prisoners, whom we have tried to treat well in every respect. With greetings, POUNDMAKER." The following was the reply sent by the General : " Pjundmaker : I have utterly defeated the Half-breeds and Indians at Batoche, and made prisoners of Riel and most o( his Council. I have made no terms with him, neither will I make terms with you. I have men enough to destroy you and your people, or at least to drive you away to starve and I will do so unless you bring in the teams you took, and yourself and councillors, with your arms, to meet me at Battleford on Monday the 25th. I am glad to hear you have treated the prisoners well and have released them.* (Signed) Fred. Middleton, Major-General," On the next day (Sunday), 24th May, the General arrived at Battleford and found Lieut. - Colonel Otter there with his Column, and Inspector Dickens, N. W. M. P., who had aban- doned Fort Pitt and had taken over the command from Inspector Morris. On the following day, the 25th of May, there was a parade of all the *NoTK. The interpreter informed the General that the teams- ter* had been released before he started. troops in celebration of the Queen's Birthday. Next day, the 26th, Poundmaker and his people came in and a "pgw-wow" was held about one p.m. in front of the camp. The spectacle was an interesting one, the Indians, in war-paint and some fantastically dressed, to the number of about seventy, squatted themselves down in a semi-circle in front of the General, who was seated in a chair, haying standing about him, also in a semi-circle, all his officers, the whole completely encircled by the men of the force. Poundmaker, who was a tall, fine looking Indian, opened the proceedings by a long oration in the Crec tongue, which was translated into English by t!ie General's interpreter. The speech was of the usual Indian character, flowery and embell- ished with allegories. In substance he stated that he knew little of what was going on ; and that he should be commended for his efforts in striving to keep his young braves quiet. He was followed by several of his braves who spoke in a rambling sort of way. A ludicrous incident here occurred. A squaw, old and dirty, came forward and wanted to make a speech. She was told that, like the Indians themselves, the white people did not admit women to their councils in war time. The crafty old woman replied that they, the whites, were ruled by a woman I The General spoke briefly, and went on to say that Poundmaker and four of his braves would be arrested ; that the others could return to their reserve, first giving up the men who had com- mitted two deliberate murders of white men a short time before. Upon this, a brave wearing a European woman's straw hat, with ribbons, stepped out of the semi-circle, and sitting at the General's feet which he grasped with his two hands, confessed to one of the murders. Strangely enough this man's name, when trans- lated, was "the man without blood." Another Indian then stepped out, and, stripping himself to his waist, confessed to having committed the other murder. This ended the affair and the prisoners were sent off to Regina. The next day the rest of the Column arrived by steamer, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Van Straubenzie; and there also came in from Fort Pitt a small party of Mounted Police under the command of Major Perry, which CANADA 1 AN ENCYCLOPEDIA. Sis had been sent out by General Strange for infor- mation respecting Dig Bear. A stt-umer with supplies and a Company of the 90th was at once sent off to Fort Pitt, but when half-way there were met by a messenger from General Strange in a canoe, with an account of his fight with Big Bear. The steamer at once returned for further orders, first landing some North-Wist Mounted Police who were on board. The General was somewhat disappointed on receiving this infor- mation, as had General Strange waited for his arrival a decisive blow might have been struck. Orders were immediately issued for the wiiole of General Middleton's Column to leave next day (the 30th) for Fort Pitt by steamer, except the mounted part, which was to march by the trail on the south bank — Lieut.-Colonel Otter and his Column remaining at Battleford. Accordingly, next morning, the force started in three steamers and the day after, when within a few miles of Fort Pitt, Major Dale, General Strangs's Brigade Major, came on board with the infor nation that the Alberta Column had left Fort Pi«t and was then camped some twelve miles off. Major Dale had with him a number of escaped prisoners who, during the confusion incident to the fight at Frenchman's Butte, had made off and had met him.* On the following day General Middleton landed, and with a small escort rude off to General Strange's camp; leaving orders for the troops to dis-embark and camp where they were. He found that General Strange had sent Major Steele to follow the trail of Big Bear; and another party by another trail. This latter detachment came across a party of Indians with some prisoners, among whom were the widows of two of the men murdered at Frog Lake who had been in captivity since the 2nd of April. It should be stated to the credit of the Indians that in no case had their white women prisoners been maltreated. General Middleton returned to his own camp by the river; and next morning, having directed Lieut.-Colonel Van Straubenzie to move the camp to Fort Pitt, he started back to General Strange's camp with all his mounted men, viz. : *NOTB. A subsequent visit to thisplncedisclosed the £ictth'e immediate command of Major-General Middleton duiing the late campaign, he cannot let tlie ol'licers and men comprising it separate without expressing his great satisfaction with them. During the whole time he has not had to assemble one court-martial ; and in fact there has been an almost total absence of crime. The troops have had great hardships to undergo and real difficulties to overcome, and have borne and met them like men, with ready cheerfulness and without complaint. They, as untried Volunteer- soldiers, have had to move in a country where an extraordinary scare existed, and against an enemy with wiiom it was openly prophesied they would be unable to cope unless with great superiority of numbers. Tiie scare they disre- garded, as shown by the fact that during the whole three months not more than two or three false alarms took place in camp; and the prophecy they falsified by beating back the enemy with a fighting line only equal, if not inferior, to him in numbers. Each regiment, corps or arm of the service has vied, one against the other, and each has equally well done its duty ; not forgetting the Transport service which, under its two able officers, has so well aided our movements; the Medical department, which has been so efficiently directed ; and the chaplains, who have so care- fully and assiduously ministered to our spiritual comforts. The Major-General, in taking fare- well of his old comrades, begs to wish them all happiness and success in their several walks in life, and to sincerely thank them, one and all, for having by their gallantry, good conduct and hard work enabled him to carry to a success- ful conclusion what will probably be his last cam- paign." To those Corps who, through no fault of theirs, had not an opportunity of taking part in any engagement, equal credit with their more fortun- ate brethren is due for the alacrity with which they responded to the call to arms, and in their respective stations performed duties which^ though not so conspicuourt, were none the less important. Liius of communication had to be kept open and supplies to be forwarded, and the very presence of these troops without doubt had a deterring influence on the Indians in whose vicinity they were stationed, and whose sympa- thies in many cases were with their brethren who were openly opposing the soldiers of the Queen. The following shows the forces at the disposal of General Middleton and their stations in the beginning of May. These were, in addi. tion to the Corps that were then under the personal command of the General, and of the Column commandeil by Lieut. -Colonel Otter : Maj()K-Guni:iV ENCYCLOPAEDIA. men and offlcera done their work. The men of hi> force were almost universally of the same class as our English voli.ntecrs — clerks in offices, mechanics and traJusmen. They were not Holdicrs by trade. Excellent material, splendid marchers, apt to leurn, possessed of much handi- ness and ingenuity, especially with the axe, but unaccustumed to the work required of them, and with no time allowed them to gain experience, they went straight from their homes into action. The risk of much loss of life in a force so com- posed is an exceptionally heavy risk for a com- mander to incur, and no man in General Middle- ton's Column is likely to forget their chief's generous solicitude for the safety of his troops. An unseen enemy is always a trying one espe- cially for an inexperienced force. As a military achievement the success of the campaign has been brilliant. The Hon. Mr. Caron, Minister of Militia, may justly be proud of the Department which between the 23rd of March and the 20th of May placed 4,419 men in the held, the whole of which force, with the ex- ception of the Winnipeg Corps and the irregular mounted troops, were sent from Eastern Canada. A complete system of transport for three Columns marching at great distance from each other had to be organized; and, six weeks after General Middleton's departure from Fort Qu'Appelle, Kiel had been brought a prisoner into his camp. From Ottawa to Qu'Appelle is 1,635 miles. From Qu'Appelle to Batoche is a march of 243 miles. Lord Wolseley left Toronto on the 21st May, 1870, and arrived at Fort Garry on the 24tn August, three months. In 1885 the last troops ordered out left Montreal for the front on the nth of May, and arrived at Winnipeg on the 20th of May, nine days. So much has hfteen years of civilization and a railway done for Canada." General Middleton's plan of campaign, outlined in the foregoing narrative, appears from its suc- cess to have been well adapted for the emergency. The situation was certainly very grave, and one calling for more than ordinary ability. A glance at the map of the country at that period will show that the scattered settlements were more or less at the mercy of that worst of foes — an Indian fairly launched on an expedition of plunder, and of retaliation for wrongs, real or imaginary. The well-known weakness of the Red-man for joining in raids when success seems f.iirly certain was a factor in the situation that could not be lost sight of. The rebellion began suddenly, and had to be as promptly, dealt with, while the means at the , disposal of the General seemed utterly inad- equate—the nearest troops being in Winnipeg and not more than 300 all told. A long journey by rail of from 1,300 to 3,000 miles at the most inclement season of the year, in addition to the passage of unfinished gaps many miles in extent on the bleak north shore of Lake Superior, had to be taken by troops brought from the East. These Volunteer Militia, totally inexperienced in warfare, insufBciently equipped, and called with- out warning from their homes to embark on such a journey and for such a campaign had then to reach the enemy and bring succour to those in danger over hundreds of miles of prairie, with everything in the way of food and supplies to be carried, and with no transport or commissariat except such as could be improvised on the spot. All this had to be considered carefully, while prompt action was a vital necessity. The scare was extraordinary, and all that was known of the horrors of Indian uprisings in the United States— fortunately without any parallel in Canada — stirred the minds of the people of the cou:j*ry, and those threatened, together with their friends beyond, were in a state of extreme anxiety. Appeals for aid and assistance were numberless, and it certainly required cool and calculating heads to control the result. The C.P.R. from Qu'Appelle, or Troy, to Calgary, a distance of 516 miles, was the base of operations. The country to the north was fringed and dotted with Indian Reservations, and between and among these lay the homes and towns of the white settlers. It was considered by many that a general rising of the Indians would result in the complete destruction of all these settlements, and then towns much nearer the Railway would be the objects of attack. The loss of life and loss of property, directly and indirectly, would be great, and for many years the Canadian North- West, if not shunned, would be very cautiously considered by intending immigrants and settlers. Within twelve hours of his arrival in Winnipeg the General started with the small local force for the seat of the trouble ; a great risk doubtless, for had Riel shown much military enterprise and hampered or seriously impeded the progress of this small and pioneer column, as he might have done, the difficulties would have become much CANADA . AN KN'.Yi l,C)l'