BATTLE OF BATOCHE (3A) (44 ENG -- 43 fran)

   BATTLE OF BATOCHE (3A)

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 Those of you who are bilingual will have two different stories in 3A and 3

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   THE LAND QUESTION:

        It has been said that the Rebellion would not have taken place had the gpvernment officials and land surveyors explained their plan to the Métis. As it was, the policy and planners completely ignored the  inarticulated deep wisdom that resided in these people. their deep-rooted knowledge of their environment, and expecially, the mutually sustaning force of their customs and culture.

     However, there is another opinion, which statedthatthe land question wasnot the actual or genuine reason for the uprising. Later on, when the goberrnment recognied the Métis' method of holding land long strips reaching back from the river from; and offered land title or compensation,very few Métis accepted the titles. A title of property meants no more in the Metis than it did at the Indians. the concept of ideaof individual property was almost unknown

    Did the M/tis fear this new life that was gradully creeping in upon them .

   That was the cause^ No doubt, the Métis themselves are the only ones who can really understgand and give the true underlying reasons.

   Could Riel and the Métis depenbd upon the Indians tohelp them? Riel's proposal to the Indians was convincing. He imagied a new Confederation of oMétis and Indians, a Republic in which anyone having Indian blood could take in the administration of ther Central Plains of America. The Indians, however, were not enthusiatic, about this plan. Although they were both disappoint6edand dissatfied about the "White" administration, very few declared themselves upholders or followers of Riel and the Métis.

   Only t5he Cree and Sioux tibes were willing to give their support.

   All thatis leftto do dowis to  speak about the Battleof Fish Creek and Batoche.  After that we should havea good idea of the situation of the rebels.

BATTLE OF FISH CREEK`

   Situated bejing rocs and cliffs, in rut concealed by brushwood. Gabriel Di,pmt until his (70) Métis waitedfor Middleton's arrival on the morning of April 24th at Fish Creek. They set a prrairie fire so as to confuse Middleton and his five hundred soldiers. As they advanced, the Métis fired with rapidity and procession. The loss was heavy for the regiment of "Winnipeg Rifles". But in general, they had ordinary guns, while the English soldiers werearmed with "Snider" guns. At evening it was all over. Dumont retreated to Batoche. Middleton stayed at Fish Creek, waiting for ammunition suuplied, fresh troup and also to withdraw the wounded soldiers.

THE BATTLE  OF BATOCHE

    The battle of Batoche took place in the outskirts of the village where the defenders uner Gatriel Dumont had set up an ingenions system of defense comrpising  holes or pits, and trenches guarding all the approaches to othe village. General Middleton, who afterthe battle, inspected this system of defense, was astonished at the strenght, the clverness and the care shown in the construction of these pits and trenches.

  When General Middleton arrived at Batoche with machine guns, he opened fire on the rectory. Five Oblate priests and some Sisters had taken refure there, and as we have already seen, the General spared them. The Sisters were Faithful Companions of Jesus,  who had fled from their convent at St-Laurent and were under the protedtion of Gabriel Dumont. The scouts and solders were, at tirst, stopped by  shotting. On the fourth day, the solders wanted to force the battle ,the General Middleton preferred not to rush an attach, but rather force the enemy to leave in fortified positions.

  At last, the soldiers launche an attack from all sides; the Métis were overcome. After four days  of  fighting, the Métius were reduced to the point of loading their guns with nails., tacks and pebbles. Fatique, hunger and lack of ammunition forced them to retrteat. It became a "Save yourself if you can".

 Batoche had fallen, the rebellion was over The rebels scattered some fled to the States, some simply disappeared, others were taken prisoners. Gabriel Dumont, fled to the States, he tried to persuade Riel to go with him, but he refused. Riel gave himself up to General Middleton. May 15, 1885, where after a trial he was sentenced to death.

 There were mixed feeling and opinions abouthis execution. Who can portray the veritable Riel?  An article, (1951) written by Leon Gray seems to answer the question. The author recognied as unbiased gives a new aspect about Riel.

                                                          Liberté et Patriote --- septembre 1951

Le vrai  Riel par Léon Gray

ref: A History of St-Louis and surrounding areas  ---  pages 4 and 5