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CHAPTER 2 Threats Internal and External
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Middelton’s Column ( 2 pages )
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Gabriel Dumont, military commander of the Métis during 1885.
(Click image to enlarge)
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During this period, Riel sent a message to his Indian allies asking them to join him at Batoche, where a decisive confrontation was shaping up. Since the Indians took their time responding, Middleton, who had consolidated all his men on the east bank of the river, was able to resume his advance in early May. He was now better prepared. His forces had been reorganized and given additional training. Their logistical strength had been augmented with the arrival of a small steamboat which, stationed across from Batoche, would lay down supporting fire for the militiamen attacking Métis land positions. The siege of Batoche commenced on 10 May, and the federal troops settled in for a war of positions that was frustrating for many militiamen who knew they possessed superior strength in terms of men and weapons - artillery pieces, a Gatling gun and hundreds of rifles. When the firing slackened they realized the Métis were short of ammunition. On the 12th, two regiments, unable to stand the inactivity any longer, followed their colonels in an attack: The entrenchments and the village yielded easily. The whole operation cost the Métis 12 dead and three wounded. Middleton's army counted eight dead and 46 wounded.
At the moment of truth, Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont were no longer with their people. On 15 May, having refused to follow Dumont into American exile once again, Riel surrendered.
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Click image to enlarge
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