Battle of Fish Creek

April 24, 1885

Battle of Fish Creek The Battle of Fish Creek (also known as the Battle of Tourond's Coulée), fought April 24, 1885 at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan was a major Métis victory over the Canadian forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion. By Curzon, Fred W.
On this day in 1885, Métis, Cree, and Dakota forces numbering 280 routed Major General Frederick Middleton's North West Mounted Police and militia force of 900. Although vastly outnumbered, Gabriel Dumont held his forces together and minimized indigenous casualties. He used the topography and a trap similar to a buffalo pound. Middleton in a statement later on said: "[Métis] plans were well arranged beforehand and had my scouts not been well to the front we should have been attacked in the ravine and probably wiped out" Dumont incurred six casualties. Middleton, whose own casualties numbered 55, was forced to delay his advance for two weeks while he awaited reinforcements. By nightfall the Canadians had retreated. The win resulted in successfully delaying Middleton's march to Batoche and encouraging the resistance.