BITS OF HISTORY (50)
LITTLE UNPUBLISHED SKETCHES:
These are not found in books or archives, just told to the writer by local people
Phillips killed at Batoche -
An elderly lady has this story to tell about the death of Gunner Phillip, killed by a young Indian lad at Batoche.
"Peace had been signed, An English soldier entered the house previously occupied by Xavier Letendre. A young Indian boy, who had suffered greatly during the Uprising, noticed him and immediately shot him. My mother and several women saw this event, but they never denounced the Indian boy. The blood of the gunner made a stain on the floor which could not be removed.
" Phillips killed at Batoche" - probably means Captain French killed in 'Mr. Letendre's house most litely by Donald Ross., a young Metis, who in turn received the customary requite of the times. - apparently he was tied to a horse and dragged around until he died.
PROPHETIC UTTERANCE AND THE ECLIPSE:
Here is an interesting but sad occurence. Knowing that an eclipse of the sun would soon happen, Riel solemnly declared to his followers that God favoured their cause. and it their undertaking was to be crowned with success, God would darken the sky.
On March 16, 1885, was an eclipse of the sun - the sky was darkened. The Métis now believing that Riel was directly inspired by God, gave him their complete confidence. They firmly believed that Riel was powerful enough to obtain any miracle.
We know that at Batoche, the Métis were completely defeated. It is noted that at this moment a man named "Tourond" shouted to Riel. "Perform your miracle now." These poor credulous people!!! Riel had abused of their confidence. They did not even know that an eclipse of the sun would occur. Many of them could not read the almanac. This anecdote points out two things. :
1) The Métis at that time were trustful people living the simple lives of their ancestors:
2) Riel abused of the confidence of credulity of the Métis
When we lose at something, whether it is at war, or a hockey game, we have to blame someone, it 's human.
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Here are a few facts that some people relate today about the uprising of 1885
a) The Canadian Army consisted of 5,500 soldiers and policemen, against 500 Métis and Indians.
b) Certain groups of soldiers came by way of Humboldt, Battleford and Prince Albert.
c) When the people of Prince Albert heard that the Indians would join the Métis, they were terrified and fled, searching for safety.
d) The wounded soldiers were cared for in a hospital in Saskatoon.
e) In Riel's army there were men of 70 and 80 years of age; they had absolute faith in their leader.
f) The machine gun "Gatling" was used for the first time at Batoche.
g) Louis Riel never used a gun at Batoche.
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Before the Rebellion was officially ended, my mother's gramdfather named "A" and another combatant named "B" were taken prisoners. A's right leg was fastened to B's left one. Their arms were attached in a similar manner. They passed a year in prison at Regina, in this style, even for work. Before being granted their freedom, they were obliged to promised never again to touch a gun.
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Twelve men from Batoche and surrounding district were buried in a common grave. Some women helped to lay them in a pit and cover them. Their bodies were never transferred to the cemetery; but a plaque recalls the names of a few of these heroes. The aged "Moise Ouellette", thanks to the intercession of Father Fourmond, o.m.i. was the only one granted the privilege of having a coffin.
Yesterday, October 27, 1979, an emiision of the French Radio mentioned that eleven Métis had been killed at Batoche. The People of St-Louis and district are related to many families at Batoche, Fish Creek, St-Laurent and Duck Lake, other are very good friends. The following should be of great interest to them.
A visit to the cemeteries in the places mentioned above, proves that our ancestors were heroes and proud to give their lives for a cause they judged worthy and which was dear to them.
Killed at Duck Lake, J.B. Montour; J. Montour, Isidore Dumont (Gabriel's brother) Augustin Laframbroise.
Killed at Fish Creek, 1885, P. Parenteau, V. Vermette, N.Desjardins, F.N. Boyer.
Of those killed at Batoche, we received ten names; Moise Ouellete; J. Vandal; M. Trottier; A. Letendre; Isidore Boyer (Isidore was Magloire's brother and grand-uncle of Jean Boyer who lives in St-Louis); D. Carrier; J. Swain; A. Jobin; C. Tourond; E. Tourond.
Also four Indians fell in 1885
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My mother often saw Gabriel Dumont in Church at Batoche. He had a large scar on his head, which be clearly seen from the choir-loft in the church. Gabriel had been seriously wounded during the battle at Duck Lake.He had surely escaped by a "hair's" breadth that time.
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When the Rebellion was over at Batoche, the women gathered the children along the river bank, as far as the ferry. The children were crying -- they were frightened, hungry, thirsty and tired. They were so thirsty that they licked the morning dew off the leaves. Many families killed their dogs for meat. A few grouped together to start for home, on foot along the Bellevue road, relatives and friends who met them, mentioned that around St. Louis and district things were much worse. The Oblate Fathers and the police told the womrn and children who were scattered along the river bank at Batoche to go to the church where they would be given some food. For many this time was one of the misery -- dire poverty.
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A lady, living in St-Louis, whose mother was nine years old at the time of the Uprising mentions the following which seems to be a dramatic result of the use of the machine gun "Gatling"
"shooting!!...."shooting!!" We were all lying flat on the ground. It was terrible! I was just nine year old... but I'll never forget it.!"
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Gordon Grant, R.C.M.P. a well known and respected man was killed during the battle at Duck Lake in 1885. The author was told that an "Establishment" in this village still bears his name.
The catholic church often had deals with politicians. John A. McDonald would asked the clergy to dominate the people, mostly the French, the Metis and the Indians, in return for money. After the Battle of Batoche, Mgr. Alexandre Taché told John A MacDonald that he had ill-treated the Indians and the Metis and he needed to repay them somehow. The Prime Minister finally agreed to give them some land called "script". This was not what the Metis wanted, they wanted the land where they had settled.
ref: History of St-Louis and surrounding areas - parges 8 and 9
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