THE NORTH-WEST REBELLIONS

CHAPTER XVI

GENERAL STRANGE'S COLUMN.

We must now follow the fortunes of the third column, which was sent into the interior under General Strange, an old army officer. General Strange organized his forces at Calgary, and was directed to proceed to Edmonton, two hundred miles north Of Calgary, and three hundred miles to the west of Battleford, on the North Saskatchewan. His force was composed of the 65th, of Montreal, under Colonel Ouimet, three hundred and fifty strong; fifty-two Mounted Police, under Major Steele; forty-two scouts, under Major Hatton; twenty-five Mounted Police, under Captain Oswald; the Edmonton Volunteers; the Winnipeg Light Infantry, three hundred strong, under Colonel Osborne Smith, C.M.G.; and forty-six scouts under Major Perry, besides one gun. On his personal staff was Major Dale, who acted as Brigade-Major. The General had also attached to his staff the Rev. Canon McKay, of the Church of England, and the Rev. Mr. McDougall, a Methodist missionary both of whom had resided a long time among the Indians in the Calgary and Edmonton districts, and knew the country well. General Strange placed great reliance on on these local clergymen, and they became active assistants in the conduct of the column.

On the 20th of April General Strange moved out of Calgary for Edmonton, with Major Steele's scouts and the right wing of the 65th Battalion, under the command of Colonel Hughes. The left wing left on the 23rd with Major Hatton's corps, and was followed a day or two after by the Winnipeg Light Infantry, under Colonel Osborne Smith, with some Mounted Police, under Major Perry. Both detachments. crossed the Bow River at the Government ford, and arrived at Edmonton on the 2nd and 5th of May respectively. Edmonton is the centre of a prosperous settlement, and is surrounded by a number of Indian reserves.

General Strange stationed half a company of the 65th, under Lieutenant Normandeau at Red Deer Crossing, and the other half, under Captain Ettieh, at the Government Ford, about forty miles from Edmonton. Captain Ostell's company was sent to the Hudson's Bay post at Battle River, Colonel Ouimet remaining at Edmonton, his headquarters. The remainder of the 65th, under Colonel Hughes, with Colonel Smith's battalion and the mounted men, went to Victoria on their way to Fort Pitt, where they were delayed for some time, not leaving again until the 21st of May. They reached Moose Hill Creek on the 24th, and Fort Pitt on the 25th inst. General Strange had scows built to utilize the navigation and save his transport. They conveyed the 65th to Fort Pitt, keeping up communication with the remainder of the column, which marched by the trail. But we pause first to relate what occurred at Fort Pitt previous to this date, and to describe the most tragic incident of Riel's rebellion Ä the Frog Lake Massacre.

Frog Lake is a beautiful sheet of water, some ten miles north of the Saskatchewan and thirty miles from Fort Pitt. At this place a Hudson's Bay post and Roman Catholic mission is established, and it is the headquarters of an Indian agency. It is surrounded by numerous tribes of Indians, many of whom live there on their reserves and trade at Fort Pitt. Among the chiefs of these tribes, the most conspicuous was Big Bear, and his hand was the most troublesome the Indian agents had to control. During the winter Corporal Sleigh with five constables were stationed at Frog Lake by Inspector Dickens, at the request of Mr. Quinn, the Indian agent. After news had been received of the engagement at Duck Lake, Inspector Dickens wrote to Quinn at Frog Lake, enquiring as to the state of the Indians there. He answered that the Indians on the reserves were quite peaceably inclined, that he could keep Big Bear quiet, and did not anticipate any trouble. As Inspector Dickens did not place much confidence in Big Bear and his band, he wrote to Quinn pointing out that it would be better that the Police should be all together; that in the event of an Indian rising the few Police at Frog Lake would all be massacred. He added that all the whites had better come into Fort Pitt, or if help were required, he would go out to them. Quinn and Delaney determined to remain at their posts, and the other whites elected to stay with them. Quinn ordered Corporal Sleigh to return to Fort Pitt with his men. Sleigh refused to leave without the ladies, but Quinn again ordered him to leave, saying that he would explain the matter to Mr. Dickens. Sleigh came in with his men and brought a letter from Quinn, in which he said that the presence of a few policemen only served to irritate the Indians, who had no animosity to the Indian Department officials, but only disliked the Police. He also asked Mr. Dickens not to send policemen as messengers, but to make use of the Hudson Bay Company's Indians and half-breeds. He also wrote that he would come in on the 2nd April to see Mr. Dickens.

For some time Big Bear refused to take treaty, and had not yet selected a reserve, which the Government was anxious to locate him on in this district. It is worthy of remark here that when Lieutenant-Governor Morris first negotiated a treaty with Big Bear, one of the conditions he fought for, was that none of his tribe should be hanged. Mr. Morris refused to entertain such a question, pointing out that if a white man should kill an Indian he would be hanged, and that if an Indian committed a murder he would have to suffer the same punishment. A number of the Indians who were hanged belonged to Big Bear's band. Big Bear had several times before this given the Mounted Police trouble, and he and his braves were the leaders of the rebellion at this point. When the news reached them of the Duck Lake fight, and that hostilities had commenced, they immediately went on the war-path, in accordance with the programme doubtless arranged by Big Bear on his visit to Riel a few months before. In true Indian fashion his braves commenced by making excessive demands for rations, supplies and ammunition. When these demands were made, the people were taken as much by surprise as were those in the other parts of the country,for Quinn, the resident Indian agent, had only sent down worda few days before, that everything was quiet and peaceable. But with a rapidity that could not be foreseen, the Indians lost not a moment in commencing trouble. A few who were in the secret were anxious to save some of the whites who had befriended them, and gave warning in time to enable them to leave for Fort Pitt. Mr. and Mrs. Gowanlock were apprised, and came up to the mission to Delaney's, the farm instructor, where they spent a few days, and where they were rudely taken prisoners by the Indians.

At daylight on the morning of the 2nd of April, the Indians became very excited,and visited the Hudson's Bay store, demanding provisions from Mr. Simpson. They also visited Mr. Quinn's with a like demand, and from taking stores they got to taking prisoners. It was the day before Good Friday, and the Rev. Fathers Farfard and Marchand were holding service in the church, where the people were assembled at the early morning service. All were rudely disturbed by the Indians. Father Farfard, seeing that mischief was brewing, warned the Indians against committing excesses, and the people, after leaving church, went to Delaney's house. The Indians followed and compelled them to leave there and go to their camp. While taking them to camp they, in the most wanton and cruel manner, shot down several, commencing with the Indian agent, Quinn. Mr. and Mrs. Gowanlock were walking together, and the former was shot, falling mortally wounded into his wife's arms. Delaney, who was also with his wife, was shot in like manner. The two courageous priests, seeing what was going on, interfered to try and save life, but both fell victims, Father Farfard being shot while leaning over the wounded Delaney, administering the last rites to him. Father Marchand was killed at the same time, and before the day was out, nine unfortunate people were massacred. The remainder of the party, with the tenderly reared ladies, were marched off as prisoners by these miscreants, the captive ladies fearing a worse fate.

Mr. Cameron, who was an eye-witness of the murderous scene, gives the following account of it :-

"I had just finished breakfast and gone to the store, when Miserable Man entered with an order from Quinn, probably the last writing he ever penned. It read as follows:

"'DEAR CAMERON, - Please give Miserable Man one blanket.'

It was signed by Quinn.

"Cameron said: 'I have no blankets.' Miserable Man looked hard at him but said nothing.

"Yellow Bear said: 'Don't you see he has no blankets.' 'Well,' said Miserable Man, 'I will take something else,' and he took four or five dollars' worth of odds and ends. Just as they finished trading they heard the first shot. Miserable Man turned and rushed out. Cameron heard some one calling 'Stop! stop!' This was Big Bear, who was in the Hudson's Bay Company's store, talking to Mr. Simpson. As Cameron went out of the store he locked the door, and while he was doing this an Indian ran up and said, 'If you speak twice you are a dead man. One man spoke twice already and he is dead.' This man, Cameron soon learned, was Quinn, who had been standing with Charles Gouin, the half-breed carpenter, in front of Pritchard's house.

"Travelling Spirit had said to Quinn,' You have a hard head. When you say no you mean no, and stick to it. Now, if you love your life, you will do as I say.' 'Why should I go?' said he. 'Never mind,' Quinn said quietly, 'I will stay here.' Travelling Spirit then levelled his gun at Quinn's head, saying, 'I tell you go,' and shot him dead. Gouin, who was an American half-breed, was shot by The Worm immediately after, on the road to the Indian Camp, a short distance from Pritchard's house. Cameron asked Yellow Bear what all this meant. Yellow Bear caught him by the hand and said, 'Come this way.' Then seeing Mrs. Simpson about to leave her house, he said, 'Go with her and leave here.' Cameron walked away with Mrs. Simpson. When they had got a short distance from the house she stopped and called Mr. Cameron's attention to the priests, who were standing about a hundred yards away, expostulating with some Indians who were loading their guns. Delaney was close by.

Suddenly the Indians raised their guns and rushed at Delaney. Father Farfard dashed up and placed himself in front of the menacing Indians, but was overpowered by numbers and thrown down, and Bare Neck shot Delaney, and then with the other barrel fired at the priests. Father Farfard and Delaney were badly wounded, and as they lay writhing, Man-Who-Wins walked up and fired at them, killing both. Father Marchand was meanwhile attempting to keep the Indians from going after the women. When he saw that Father Farfard had been killed he attempted to push his way through the crowd of Indians to reach the body, but they resisted. He was a wiry man and fought hard. Travelling Spirit, however, rushed up and shot him in the chest and head, and he fell dead. In the rush that followed a moment after this, Gowanlock was killed by The Worm. Gilchrist and Dill were together, and Little Bear, who had previously killed Williscroft, fired on them. Gilchrist fell immediately, but Dill was not hurt, and started to run, but the Indians chased him on horseback, and he was finally killed by Man-Talking-to-Another. Cameron was horror-struck on seeing the killing of the priests and Delaney, but of course he could do nothing to save them."

Of all the disasters, the outcome of this wicked rebellion, this was the most heart-rending. This cowardly tribe dignified the massacre by the title of a battle, as was disclosed in a letter sent to Lac la Biche, to excite the half-breeds and Indians there to do likewise. They said they had had a glorious battle, thirteen were killed and not one of their number hurt. This disaster was another shock to the people of Canada, whose friends had been thus cruelly murdered, and it filled the minds of the little garrison at Fort Pitt with anxiety. Pitt, thirty miles distant, was defended by only twenty-five Mounted Police, under Inspector Dickens, a son of the celebrated novelist, and in their isolated position at that season of the year, before the ice had left the river, they had no means of escape. They did not know the moment these tribes would make their appearance before them. They, however, vigorously set to work to build two scows to float themselves away from the threatening danger the moment the river should open, and tried to put the fort, which was only a fort in name, in a better state of defence. They did not know the extent of the murders that had been committed, and anxiety for so many of their friends intensified their own. Their means of communication with the outside world was entirely cut off, so they had nothing to rely upon but their own exertions.

The little garrison was strengthened by the arrival of Mann, the instructor, and by the Rev. Mr. Quinney, the Church of England Missionary, whose headquarters were at Onion Lake, not far from Frog Lake. They had received warning in a letter to Mr. Mann of approaching danger, and had come to Fort Pitt.

Mr. Quinn, the Indian agent, had confidence in these Indians, and had requested Mann, the instructor, to send some of them up to Big Bear on a council of peace, not, however, in time to prevent the attack. At daylight, on the morning of the 3rd of April, Mann's house was invaded by Indians who brought news of the Frog Lake massacre, and some of them commenced to pillage his house. They counselled Mr. Quinney to leave with his wife, telling him of the departure of Mr. Mann with his family; in fact, Chief Cut Arm, with four of his men escorted them to within sight of Fort Pitt, lending the missionary his own horse and buckboard, which the Indians had already appropriated for their own use, upon his promising to return it, and they then left to join Big Bear.

After the excitement of the massacre, the thirst for blood seemed to be appeased; for no more life was taken. The unfortunate ladies, who suffered such grief and terror in all this cruelty, were now forced to think of themselves and their safety, and had little time to indulge their grief. There were fortunately some kind-hearted half-breed prisoners with them, viz.: Pritchard, Adoiphus Nolin, Peter Blondin, and André Nault. Pritchard's first thought was for the ladies; and in Indian fashion he purchased Mrs. Gowanlock from the Indian who had her in charge, giving one of his horses for her, and brought her to his own tent to camp with his family. He then went to the Indian who had Mrs. Delaney and offered to purchase her. The Indian replied, "I will take two good horses." Pritchard had only one good horse and one poor one left, and begged him to take them, but the man refused. So Pritchard told Nolin of his difficulty, arid he gave up his horse, and thus Pritchard was enabled to bring two good horses to the Indian, and took Mrs. Delaney away to stay with Mrs. Gowanlock, through the term of their imprisonment, who were both carefully looked after by this humane half-breed and his family. By his promptitude and humanity he saved these ladies from harm. He and Panbrun, another half-breed prisoner, afterwards acted for me as guides for a short time. I found them to be trusty deserving men, and I hope that they will be rewarded.

The Indians now gave themselves up to revelry, and feasting upon the supplies and stores they had stolen. They burnt up the little village at Frog Lake, and threw the dead bodies into the cellars to cover up their deeds, mutilating one or two of them. When again getting short of provisions, they turned their steps towards the anxious little garrison, who, since they heard of the massacre, were in daily dread of an attack. It so happened that on the morning of the day they arrived, three scouts had left the fort, to ascertain the whereabouts of the Indians, and while they were away, the Indians made their appearance by another trail.

The Hudson's Bay post or Fort Pitt, as it is called, is situated in a valley of the Saskatchewan, close to the river bank. At this point, looking to the north, one sees a gradual ascent leading to a bench of the prairie, the brow of this bench being some six hundred yards off. it was beyond this brow that the Indians encamped, keeping themselves out of sight, and out of range of the rifles of the Police. From here Big Bear sent in a demand to the garrison, to surrender, or, as he pertinently put it, "I cannot control my braves, so you had better surrender," which, of course, was repudiated by Inspector Dickens. At the same time Big Bear wrote a pathetic note, to Mr. Maclean, asking him to put aside ten blankets for him, saying that he was old, and wanted to make sure of his share, for when the pillage commenced his young men would get everything. On his trial, it came out that this chief was treated by his people with scant consideration for his comfort or respect for his orders.

The Indians remained in position, showing no signs of leaving, and Mr. Maclean, the Hudson's Bay officer in charge of Fort Pitt, who has a large experience of the Indian character, felt no anxiety, or fear in going out to speak to them. On the following morning he went to hold a parley on the brow of the hill, within sight of the fort. The object of this parley was to gain time, to allow the three scouts who were out to return in safety; Maclean himself returned to the fort. After dinner he went out once more, and this time the Indians persuaded him to go to their camp, which was out of sight of the fort. He did not like to refuse, lest it should show a want of confidence in them. He was taken to their camp to hold a council; and in pointing out to the Indians, the danger they were incurring, and "that the Government would surely punish them, a half-breed and an Indian jumped up and stood one on each side of him, and pointing their guns said, "We do not want to hear anything about the Government; that is not what we came to talk about." and forthwith made him a prisoner.

Mr. Maclean now entered into negotiations with them for the safety of the garrison; and Big Bear guaranteed that if the fort were given up to them, he would protect the families and take care of them. Maclean wrote a letter to his wife, telling her to bring the family, and join him, and advising the others to do the same. He also warned the Police to leave, as the Indians were going to burn Fort Pitt that night.

While these negotiations were going on, the three scouts, Quinn (related to the Indian agent, who was killed), Cowan, and Loasby, of the Police, who had been out to reconnoitre, returned and found the Indians encamped between them and the fort. Cowan and Loasby made a dash from the fort, galloping through the Indian encampment. Poor Cowan's horse was shot, and he at once fell a victim, being killed after he was wounded by Louis Mongrain. Loasby was more fortunate; he got through the encampment, but when just at the brow of the hill his horse was shot. He jumped up and ran for it, but within about three hundred yards of the fort, he was shot down, receiving two severe wounds. The Indian who shot him, ran up and took his revolver and rifle, thinking he was dead. The squaws, and boys, were going to take his body, but were fired upon by the Police from the fort, and to the joy of the garrison he got up, and walked in. Quinn, the third scout, who was more accustomed to care for himself, instead of attempting to go through the encampment, galloped off to the right, and secreted himself under the river bank, about a mile away, and at night came up to join his comrades, but to his dismay, the fort was filled with Indians. An Indian from the upper story saw him, and ran down for his rifle, but Quinn made good his retreat. He was seen, and followed by a friendly Indian, who tracked him through the snow to his hiding-place, and brought him to camp under his protection, where he remained a prisoner with the rest.

The diary of Corporal R. B. Sleigh, North-West Mounted Police, who escaped from this difficulty only to be shot a short time after, gallantly fighting at the battle of Cut Knife, is interesting as an authentic record:-

April 2. - Constable Roby left with train for Onion Lake, brought back lumber. Indians terribly excited out there. Mr. Mann, farm instructor, with wife and family arrived at one a.m., with report all whites killed at Frog Lake. Assembled at twelve p.m. All hands working all night, blocking up windows and making loop-holes in the buildings. Double picket put on.

April 3. - Good Friday. Henry Quinn in from Frog Lake, reported all whites shot. They were led out for execution, when he ran for his life and managed to escape; poor fellow played out and showed good grit. The Indians the day before said they were going to remain quiet, and early next morning (Thursday) took all whites prisoners. Mr. and Mrs. Quinney in from Onion Lake. An Indian brought them in. All their goods and chattels stolen. The two priests, Pères Farfard and Marchand, were first beaten and then shot. Everybody busy pulling down outside buildings, and barricading the fort.

April 4. - Johnnie Saskatchewan in from Battleford with despatches. Indians down there turning loose, and several whites killed. Reported Little Poplar and nine lodges twenty-five miles off, and coming this way. Johnnie left again for Battleford with despatches. Men busy all day.

April 5. - Sunday. Men on fatigue most of the day. Mr. Quinney (Episcopal clergyman) held short service in barracks. Indians heard shouting on hill during night. Shots fired.

April 6. - Nothing exciting.

April 7. - Stockade being erected. Indians at Frog Lake looted all the stores at that place, also the barracks on the 2nd instant. Misses Maclean show great courage, and each one, rifle in hand, stands at a loop-hole. The men work like horses, and are cheerful. All civilians sworn in and armed. Bastion put up on left front of fort. Sentries put on in each house, four hours on duty.

April 9. - Another bastion put up near orderly-room corner.

April 14. - No relief, and things look blue. Everybody in good spirits. H. Quinn, D. Cowan, and C. Loasby, with three saddle horses, went out scouting to Frog Lake. Body of Indians at top of hill, 800 yards from fort. Two hundred and fifty Indians armed and mounted. Had Dufresne, sr., and Haplin, Hudson's Bay Company, prisoners. Big Bear sent letter down. Sent word for everybody to evacuate fort, and give up arms. Doors barricaded, and men in places. Indians had big war-dance on hill. Indians skulking through woods in every direction. Mr. Maclean, of Hudson's Bay Company, had parley with them on hill. Double sentries in barracks. Two hundred and fifty Indians on war-path surround us.

April 15. - Mr. Maclean at noon went on hill to parley. Three scouts came galloping through towards Pitt. Constable Cowan shot dead, Loasby badly wounded and horse killed. Shots fired from loop-holes; two Indians killed. Quinn missing, and two wounded. Mr. Maclean and Francois Dufresne taken prisoners. Mr. Maclean wrote down to his wife to come out and give herself up, and all the Hudson's Bay Company's employees to do the same. The Hudson's Bay employees, twenty-two in number, gave themselves up to Big Bear. Impossible to hold fort now, so we had to gracefully retire acrossthe river in scow, and camped for night, not forgetting to bring colors along. Nearly swamped crossing, river being rough, and scow leaking badly. General idea prevailing that we would be attacked going down river. Took Loasby along. Thus ended the siege of Fort Pitt.

April 16. - Up at 4:30, after passing a wretched night. Snowing fast and very windy. Moving slow. Several men frost-bitten. Clothing frozen on our backs. Had some narrow escapes in ice jams. Camped at nine for dinner. Resumed trip at noon.

April 18. - Started at seven a.m. Day dull and cold. Much ice running.

April 19. - Sunday. Left Slap Jack Island at 7:13 a.m. Ran for five hours. Camped on Beaver Island, number 35. Ran on three hours, and camped on Pine Island for night.

April 20. - Here all day. Barricaded the scow. inspected arms. Rough-looking parade. Wounded man better.

April 21. - Left island at seven a.m. Eleven a.m. hailed interpreter, Joseph Alexander, and two policemen on south bank. They had despatches for us. They reported Battleford safe, and troops expected daily. Ran all day, and stopped on Small Island for the night. River falling rapidly. Struck on sand-bars. All slept on board scow. Two men on picket.

April 22. - Started at 5:45 a.m., and reached Battleford at nine a.m. Garrison turned out and presented arms. Police band played us into fort. Enthusiastic greeting. Ladies gave us a grand dinner.

In this engagement the troops behaved admirably. and not only would they have held their own all day, but were anxious to advance. General Strange, however, had brought his waggons and transport on to the scene of action, and remembering he had no supports, he became cautious, and ordered a retirement, without having inflicted that chastisement on Big Bear's tribe which they so richly deserved. When he advanced once more the wily Indian was well away through the swamps and woods to the north. On the 2nd of June General Strange marched his column to the Red Deer, and once more took up a position near the scene of the late engagement.

Chapter 17

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