Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1885 — RIEL’S REBELLION. [ARTICLE]

RIEL’S REBELLION.

Indians Joining the Insurgents. Messengers from the north, who met and conversed with insurgent half-breeds, say that the half-breeds are now encamped on both sides of the river at Batsches, the larger force being on this side, and that having large quantities of provisions, a nvtmber of half- starved Indians have joined them'. So far as can be learned Riel has 250 halfbreeds and between 300 and CO® Indians, including Sioux from the Prince Albert district. The insurgents have forty Winchesters, twenty Sniders, and 500 rounds of Snhler ammunition, captured in the Buck Lake light, 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 They are determined, it is said, to fight to the bitter end, several of them having expressed themselves to carriers that, as hatting only the alternative of being hanged or shot, they prefer tim latter. While not hoping to succeed, they anticipate being able to seriously worry the military and prolong the campaign. Biel has seven prisoners who were condemned to death, but after being taken out to see the bodies of those killed at Duck Lake were reprieved. Kiel allowed the volunteers to come after the corpses of their comrades, giving his word orbonor they would not be injerferred with. He also rescued one prisoder whom the Indians were torturing and saved his life. • • Consult the lips for opinions, the conduct for convictions.