Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1885 — RIEL’S REBELLION. [ARTICLE]

RIEL’S REBELLION.

Indians Joining the Insurgents. Messengers from the north, who have met and conversed with insurgent half-breeds, say that the half-breeds are now encamped on both sides of the river at Batsohes, the larger force being on this side, and that having large quantities of provisions, a number of half- starved Indians have joined them. So far as can be learned Biel has 250 halfbreeds and between 300 and GOO Indians, including Sioux from the Prince Albert district. The insurgents have forty Winchesters, twenty Sniders, and 600 rounds of Snider ammunition, captured in the Duck Lake fight, and a large number of shotguns. They will have the advantage of heavy woods in which to fight unless shelled out by artillery, and, with their knowledge of this style of warfare, may prove formidable foes.

They are determined, it is said, to light to the bitter end, several of them having expressed themselves to carriers that, ashaving only the alternative of being hanged or shot, they prefer the latter.