Battle of Batoche

The Battle of Batoche was the decisive battle of the North-West Rebellion, which pitted the Canadian authorities against a force of First Nations and Métis people. Fought from May 9 to 12, 1885, at the ad hoc Provisional Government of Saskatchewan capital of Batoche, the greater numbers and superior firepower of General Frederick Middleton's force eventually overwhelmed the Métis fighters.

Battle of Batoche
Part of the North-West Rebellion

Contemporary lithograph of the Battle of Batoche
DateMay 9–12, 1885
Location
Batoche, Saskatchewan
Result

Canadian victory

  • Collapse of the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan
Belligerents
Provisional Government of Saskatchewan (Métis)  Canada
Commanders and leaders
Gabriel Dumont
Louis Riel		 Frederick Middleton
Bowen van Straubenzee
Strength
250 (Métis) 916 regulars and militia
Casualties and losses

Per Middleton
51 dead
173 wounded
Per Vegreville

16 dead
20–30 wounded		 8 dead
46 wounded

The defeat of the defenders of Batoche and its capture led to the surrender of Louis Riel on May 15 and the collapse of the Provisional Government.

Other groups were pursued and eventually gave up the struggle as well. Poundmaker surrendered on May 26. Cree fighters and families under Big Bear held out the longest. They fought off Canadian troops pursuing them in the Battle of Frenchman's Butte and Battle of Loon Lake. They gradually dwindled in number, disappearing into the bush along the way. Big Bear eventually turned himself into the North-West Mounted Police at Fort Carlton in early July.

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