Codex Battleford
Transcription: 11
Transcription:
{9 [crossed out] 9 [written again in the right corner]
dared to intrude himself. It was a false step [crossed out] mistake [written above]. He was recognized, handcuffed and imprisoned in the guard-house. A few minutes later, at 9 o’clock in the evening, he departed with his brother-prisoner for the prison in Battleford.
The anxiety in the town was great. The depart of the first detachment had not caused any uneasiness, but when on June 19th, the order came to dispatch to their aid, all disponible [crossed out] available [written above] soldiers, the inhabitants began to take things seriously. There remained [crossed out] [O]nly four soldiers remained [added] in the barracks. To protect the town in case of attack, an appeal was made to the municipal guard which had not been in training for several years. [period added in ink] and whose regiments were incomplete, but new recruits came forward [crossed out]. In the course of the day, arms and equipment were distributed and sentinels were placed in the most strategic points.
The quarters of the barracks were opened to those who wished to seek refuge there. Many of the inhabitants of the town and of the country places profited by this offer.
Immediately, it was proposed to establish a telegraph communication between Poundmaker‘s ['s added] and Battleford. A group composed of Mr. Hugh Richardson, telegraphist, and of Messrs. William Smart and William Laurie, repaired the line [added] to Thirty-Mile Lake where the Bresaylor road to Poundmaker’s reserve is crossed by the telegraph line. From here to the reserve the distance was but five miles. Here they established their telegraph station.
That evening, many person were assembled at the telegraph office in Battleford. A short message announced that gun-shots were heard in the direction of Poundmaker’s reserve. That news was not reassuring, and dismal rumours circulated in the town.
The next day the whole population was on the watch for dispatches. Nothing came in the forenoon [crossed out]. The line,no doubt, was out of use [crossed out] of order [added]. [next 8 lines blocked off and crossed out] At three o’clock in the afternoon a telegram announced that the telegraphist had sent a messenger to Crozier, and that he would be back at six o’clock, with news from the soldiers. Everybody, waited with impatience for this important hour. But it was in vain, the telegraph remained mute. An important message had been presented to Mr. Hugh Richardson, from Crozier, but when he tried to send it to Battleford he found it impossible; the line was entirely disconnected. He was obliged to send it to Battleford by a messenger. [end blocked off section]
The whole population, therefore, remained ignorant of what had passed among the Indians. The supposition being that no engagement had taken place before three o’clock, and that the Indians would be satisfied, as usual, with their ineffectual threats. In the evening, the citizen who returned assured that the interview of Crozier with the chiefs had obtained the desired results, and that the next day he would arrive with prisoners. Sure enough, on Saturday, at four o’clock in the morning, the soldiers arrived at the barracks with the announcement of peace.
Father Bigonesse, who had been very uneasy about the fate of Father Cochin, was happy to see him return safe and sound the next Monday. On Sunday, Ayimisis “The Awkward,” eldest son of Big-Bear, arrived at the barracks, carrying a message from his father. “The Indians desire an interview, with McKay, Crozier and Mr. Rae}
dared to intrude himself. It was a false step [crossed out] mistake [written above]. He was recognized, handcuffed and imprisoned in the guard-house. A few minutes later, at 9 o’clock in the evening, he departed with his brother-prisoner for the prison in Battleford.
The anxiety in the town was great. The depart of the first detachment had not caused any uneasiness, but when on June 19th, the order came to dispatch to their aid, all disponible [crossed out] available [written above] soldiers, the inhabitants began to take things seriously. There remained [crossed out] [O]nly four soldiers remained [added] in the barracks. To protect the town in case of attack, an appeal was made to the municipal guard which had not been in training for several years. [period added in ink] and whose regiments were incomplete, but new recruits came forward [crossed out]. In the course of the day, arms and equipment were distributed and sentinels were placed in the most strategic points.
The quarters of the barracks were opened to those who wished to seek refuge there. Many of the inhabitants of the town and of the country places profited by this offer.
Immediately, it was proposed to establish a telegraph communication between Poundmaker‘s ['s added] and Battleford. A group composed of Mr. Hugh Richardson, telegraphist, and of Messrs. William Smart and William Laurie, repaired the line [added] to Thirty-Mile Lake where the Bresaylor road to Poundmaker’s reserve is crossed by the telegraph line. From here to the reserve the distance was but five miles. Here they established their telegraph station.
That evening, many person were assembled at the telegraph office in Battleford. A short message announced that gun-shots were heard in the direction of Poundmaker’s reserve. That news was not reassuring, and dismal rumours circulated in the town.
The next day the whole population was on the watch for dispatches. Nothing came in the forenoon [crossed out]. The line,no doubt, was out of use [crossed out] of order [added]. [next 8 lines blocked off and crossed out] At three o’clock in the afternoon a telegram announced that the telegraphist had sent a messenger to Crozier, and that he would be back at six o’clock, with news from the soldiers. Everybody, waited with impatience for this important hour. But it was in vain, the telegraph remained mute. An important message had been presented to Mr. Hugh Richardson, from Crozier, but when he tried to send it to Battleford he found it impossible; the line was entirely disconnected. He was obliged to send it to Battleford by a messenger. [end blocked off section]
The whole population, therefore, remained ignorant of what had passed among the Indians. The supposition being that no engagement had taken place before three o’clock, and that the Indians would be satisfied, as usual, with their ineffectual threats. In the evening, the citizen who returned assured that the interview of Crozier with the chiefs had obtained the desired results, and that the next day he would arrive with prisoners. Sure enough, on Saturday, at four o’clock in the morning, the soldiers arrived at the barracks with the announcement of peace.
Father Bigonesse, who had been very uneasy about the fate of Father Cochin, was happy to see him return safe and sound the next Monday. On Sunday, Ayimisis “The Awkward,” eldest son of Big-Bear, arrived at the barracks, carrying a message from his father. “The Indians desire an interview, with McKay, Crozier and Mr. Rae}
