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On 27 March 1885, the North-West Mounted Police abandoned Fort Carlton (accidentally burning it as they leave) and retreated to Prince Albert. The next day, news of Duck Lake hit eastern Canada. The Federal Government raised a Canadian Militia Force. Within two weeks, three columns of the Northwest Field Force were in motion and on their way west.

On the 31 March 1885, the Council of the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan moved the Métis force to Batoche. They constructed a defensive system of trenches and rifle pits around Batoche. On 24 April 1885, Gabriel Dumont and his scouts encountered Middleton's column at Fish Creek. The Métis soldiers, fighting from cow-paths in a coulee, held the heavier armed column off all day, encouraging each other by singing. Gabriel Dumont played an important part in the military action. Fish Creek was their best battle.

From 9 - 12 May 1885 marked the Battle of Batoche. Middleton decisively defeated the Métis force in a three-day battle. In the end, the Métis were out of ammunition and were firing nails, etc. whatever they could find. The Canadian militia proved too large and too well equipped for Dumont's army, which collapsed on 12 May 1885 after a four-day battle near Batoche.

On 15 May 1885, Louis Riel surrendered and was transported to Regina for trial. After some time, on 6 July 1885, Riel was formally charged with high treason. His trial ran from 20 July - 1 August 1885. Riel was tried by a six member jury of white settlers and found guilty of treason. On 18 September, Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced Riel to hang. On 24 July 1885, William Henry Jackson Had been found not guilty by reason of insanity. Jackson was sent to a lunatic asylum in Manitoba. On 14 August 1885, a number of Métis involved in the rebellion pled guilty to treason-felony and received prison sentences ranging from one to seven years.

On the 9th September, the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench rejected Riel's appeal. On 22 October, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ruled against Riel's appeal. Finally, on 9 November, the Medical commission, created to examine Riel's mental condition, submitted its report to the Prime Minister. The Commission was divided on question of Riel's sanity. Cabinet decided to proceed with death penalty.

Finally, on 16 November 1885: Riel was hanged at Regina.¹

Dumont avoided capture by escaping to the United States where, in 1886, he accepted an offer to demonstrate his marksmanship by performing in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. After visits to Quebec (where he dictated his memoirs in 1889) Dumont returned to his old homestead near Batoche. He lived there quietly until his death in 1906.

The biggest difference between 1870 and 1885 was the change in Canadian government. The first action was not a rebellion, because it took place at a moment in time when there was no legal governing body in the territory. The HBC had relinquished its position as caretaker, and the Canadian government had not yet assumed its role. By 1885, the Canadian government had not only assumed its role, but was well into the middle of a plan that would knit the whole country together, from sea to sea. Many rich and powerful men had emptied their pockets to ensure that the dream would happen. To them, the only reason to worry about The Métis was that they interfered with that dream.

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Rivalry and Union(1821)/Seven Oaks

Free Trade at Red River

Battle of Grand Coteau

Provisional Government (1869-1870)

Manitoba Act and Scrip

Indian Treaties

Post 1886: Rupture and Drift

Political Agitation (1870s and 1880s)

North-West Rebellion (1885 and after)