The Metis were waiting and spoiling for a fight. They taunted our men, but we held firm. The men turned their sleighs and returned to Fort Carlton. Hearing of the rout, the Superintendent gathered 100 men and set out for Duck Lake.
No one knows exactly who shot first, but soon the battle was on. The Metis were well hidden in the woods while the NWMP only had their sleighs for cover. As the number of dead and wounded grew, Crozier called a retreat. It was just as well that he did - we found out later that the rebels meant to creep behind them and circle them. In the end, we had 12 policemen and volunteers killed and 10 wounded. The rebels lost 6 men with Gabriel Dumont being wounded. |
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The skirmish at Duck Lake. |
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