Battle of Duck Lake - Battle

Battle

The forces met about 2.5 kilometres outside Duck Lake on a snowy plateau covered by trees, shrubs, and a few log cabins. Having spotted Crozier's force, Gabriel Dumont ordered his men to set up defensive positions around the log cabin and lie in wait. Similarly, Crozier's scouts informed the superintendent of the movements of the Métis; subsequently, Crozier ordered his men to halt and deploy their sleighs parallel to the road which was just before them. Both sides took up defensive positions.

Gabriel Dumont dispatched his brother, Isidore, and another, Asee-wee-yin, with a white flag in hopes of distracting Crozier's forces. The superintendent, believing that Dumont was interested in a parley, walked forward with an interpreter. During the half-hearted discussion, Crozier realized that the Métis force was manoeuvring to flank his own men, and gave the order to fire. A fight ensued between the two parties, which resulted in the deaths of Dumont and Asee-wee-yin.

Despite the superior firepower and training of Crozier's militia, the Métis force were more numerous and their position within the log cabins and the tree line proved to be a overwhelming advantage. In an attempt to relieve the pressure on the Prince Albert Volunteers, Crozier ordered the 7-pound cannon to target the log cabins. After numerous discharges, a shell was placed in before the power charge was inserted, which disabled the cannon for the remainder of the battle.

Within half an hour, Crozier recognized the unavoidable and sounded a general retreat back to Fort Carlton. The Métis were eager to chase down Crozier and his retreating force, but Louis Riel intervened and declared the battle over.