Kamloops, B.C. 17 May 1885 Marcus Smith letter to wife
Lot 74 in our auction Saturday 12th November 2022
Kamloops B.C
May 17th 1885
My dear wife
I have been up the line for a week and on my return yesterday (saturday) evening received your letter of the 2nd instant together with a number of newspapers mostly “weekly” which were very acceptable as they give a great deal of news about the position of the troops and other details which are not telegraphed here or copied in the newspapers. The latest telegram we have had was General Middleton’s official account of the battle at Gabrielle’s crossing on saturday the 9th inst. In which he had driven the Rebels from their position with very small loss of troops – 1 killed and 6 wounded – he concludes that he expects next – day – (sunday) to clear the Rebels out of Batoche
That is just a week ago and we have had no telegram here since but the newspapers from New Westminster of the 13th give vague rumours that General Middleton has been defeated and als(o) Col.Otter. The latter no doubt has been concocted from the skirmish he had with Poundmaker’s Indians / 30 miles from Battleford about the 1st inst. where they lost 8 killed and 12 wounded but of the action we have had no further explanation. It does not however appear to have been a success-
if it was not a repulse. Later an extra from a New Westminster paper by last train says that Genl. Middleton on Sunday last (10th) defeated the rebels at Batoche who were flying in all directions. If this is true then the speedy success of the troops elsewhere against the Indians is more hopeful –
I am glad to learn you are getting subscriptions to send some comforts to the boys. Which they will relish better than anything they ever did in their lives before I hope the citizens will be liberal – I am going up the line again tomorrow for a week. and after my return will go down below and see Tom always fine weather but rather warm-
Love to all
Yours ever
M. Smith
