Riel Rebellion 1885 The Land Question Which Had Given Rise To The

Red River Rebellion of 1869-1870, was also responsible for the

Saskatchewan Rebellion of 1885. The government had neglected to issue

patents to the half-breeds on the Saskatchewan, and they became

convinced that their lands would be taken from them. Riel was sent for,

and an agitation worked up, at first along peaceful lines, but rapidly

moving towards violence. Riel finally threw discretion to the winds, and

deliberat ly inflamed not only the half-breeds, but also the western

tribes. A small detachment of Mounted Police and volunteers was attacked

at Duck Lake, and the government at Ottawa, hitherto indifferent, awoke

to the seriousness of the situation. A force was organized, and sent

west under General Middleton. Middleton divided his force into three

columns; one under General Strange, to operate against Big Bear in the

neighbourhood of Edmonton; the second under Colonel Otter, to relieve

Battleford, which was threatened by Poundmaker; and the third, of which

he himself took command, to relieve Prince Albert. Middleton met the

rebels at Fish Creek, and experienced a stubborn resistance, but drove

them back to Batoche. Here Riel and his men held the troops at bay for

three days, but were finally routed and scattered. Meanwhile Otter had

encountered Poundmaker at Cut Knife Creek, and after a desperate fight

had been forced to retreat. In the far west, Strange had a similar

experience with Big Bear, but finally drove him to the north. Big Bear

gave himself up; Poundmaker and Riel were captured, and the latter paid

the penalty of his crimes on the scaffold. =Index=: See also Riel.