Codex Battleford
Transcription: 26
Transcription:
{28 [written in the top right corner, page is handwritten]
and save our unfortunate friends from the general slaughter which menaces them,, But the next day he heard that Colonel Irvine x had departed for Carlton without requesting his services.
xxxx On March 27th, very early before [crossed out] before [added above] dawn, the news of the Duck Lake fight and of the hasty retreat of the Carlton garrison spread throughout the town of Prince Albert. It was much to be feared that the halfbreeds and the Indians taking advantage of their victory would in the nick of time launch a surprise attack against the defenseless [sic] city. This general belief caused a state of panic in the midst of the population. All the citizens set to work immediately to prepare against such a dreaded evantuality [sic]. All the cord-wood was called for and, with it a broad rampant eight feet high was erected around the Presbyterian manse. A large shelter of boards was hastily constructed on the center [sic] of the enclosure. All the Government supplies were transferred x there in prevision of a long siege. At noon, the last policeman left [crossed out] locked up [added] the empty barracks and joined the refugees, carrying under [crossed out] the British Flag under his regimental coat. In a great hurry, the people were abandoning their home, carrying the sick on mattresses. Soon the church, the mansion, the outbuildings were crowded. The neighbouring houses, were [crossed out] pierced with loop-holes, gave shelter to a few families, ready to fly to the interior of the blockade at the first alarm.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, the Reverend Sisters and their boarders decided wisely, but much against [crossed out] unwillingly, to leave their convent and to take refuge behind the stockade.
During the night, no one closed an eye, in spite of the extreme dejection and weariness of the previous day.
A great feeling of [added] emotion and surprised ["d" crossed out] was caused by the arrival [crossed out] surrender [added] of x Charles Nolin. He was calling for Father André, who consented to meet him under the eyes guard [crossed out] in presence [added] of two officers. Every body thought [crossed out] tought [sic] [added] he was a spy, but xxxxx [crossed out], in reality, he was a fugitive from the Riel’s army. He was handcuffed and securely guarded in the fort.
X [crossed out] On the 28th, early in the morning, the Sisters returned back to their convent, Xxx xxxx [crossed out] with and during the day, many of the refugees went home [crossed out]. At three o’clock in the afternoon the return of the soldiers restored calm and confidence. Many persons quitted the camp and went home.
Xx [crossed out] This calm, however, was of short duration. After supper Fathers André, Ambroise Fisher and Damase x [crossed out] Racette were devising together on the critical events of the day, when on glancing through the window, they behold several men [crossed out] a man [added] riding at full speed towards the town. They [crossed out] He [added] was wan and haggard, and, passing by, they [crossed out] he [added] shouted: out : "They are coming. Halfbreeds and Indians!’’ A sleigh loaded with sacks of flour, was xx [crossed out] following close; the xx [crossed out] driver was screaming likewise. At once from outside [added] Father André called to the Sisters who where returning to bed. There was no time to lost [crossed out] It was their usual bedtime. " "For God’ sake do not delay” There is no time to be lost.” Damase broke the door open, caught took one of the satchels, and [crossed out]}
and save our unfortunate friends from the general slaughter which menaces them,, But the next day he heard that Colonel Irvine x had departed for Carlton without requesting his services.
xxxx On March 27th, very early before [crossed out] before [added above] dawn, the news of the Duck Lake fight and of the hasty retreat of the Carlton garrison spread throughout the town of Prince Albert. It was much to be feared that the halfbreeds and the Indians taking advantage of their victory would in the nick of time launch a surprise attack against the defenseless [sic] city. This general belief caused a state of panic in the midst of the population. All the citizens set to work immediately to prepare against such a dreaded evantuality [sic]. All the cord-wood was called for and, with it a broad rampant eight feet high was erected around the Presbyterian manse. A large shelter of boards was hastily constructed on the center [sic] of the enclosure. All the Government supplies were transferred x there in prevision of a long siege. At noon, the last policeman left [crossed out] locked up [added] the empty barracks and joined the refugees, carrying under [crossed out] the British Flag under his regimental coat. In a great hurry, the people were abandoning their home, carrying the sick on mattresses. Soon the church, the mansion, the outbuildings were crowded. The neighbouring houses, were [crossed out] pierced with loop-holes, gave shelter to a few families, ready to fly to the interior of the blockade at the first alarm.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, the Reverend Sisters and their boarders decided wisely, but much against [crossed out] unwillingly, to leave their convent and to take refuge behind the stockade.
During the night, no one closed an eye, in spite of the extreme dejection and weariness of the previous day.
A great feeling of [added] emotion and surprised ["d" crossed out] was caused by the arrival [crossed out] surrender [added] of x Charles Nolin. He was calling for Father André, who consented to meet him under the eyes guard [crossed out] in presence [added] of two officers. Every body thought [crossed out] tought [sic] [added] he was a spy, but xxxxx [crossed out], in reality, he was a fugitive from the Riel’s army. He was handcuffed and securely guarded in the fort.
X [crossed out] On the 28th, early in the morning, the Sisters returned back to their convent, Xxx xxxx [crossed out] with and during the day, many of the refugees went home [crossed out]. At three o’clock in the afternoon the return of the soldiers restored calm and confidence. Many persons quitted the camp and went home.
Xx [crossed out] This calm, however, was of short duration. After supper Fathers André, Ambroise Fisher and Damase x [crossed out] Racette were devising together on the critical events of the day, when on glancing through the window, they behold several men [crossed out] a man [added] riding at full speed towards the town. They [crossed out] He [added] was wan and haggard, and, passing by, they [crossed out] he [added] shouted: out : "They are coming. Halfbreeds and Indians!’’ A sleigh loaded with sacks of flour, was xx [crossed out] following close; the xx [crossed out] driver was screaming likewise. At once from outside [added] Father André called to the Sisters who where returning to bed. There was no time to lost [crossed out] It was their usual bedtime. " "For God’ sake do not delay” There is no time to be lost.” Damase broke the door open, caught took one of the satchels, and [crossed out]}
