The first overt act was committed when Riel requested the French
half-breeds to bring their arms with them to a meeting to be
held on the 3rd of March; and from that day matters grew worse.
On the 18th of March the stores of Walters, and Baker, and Kerr
Bros., at St. Laurent, were raided; and Indian agent Lash,
Astley, a surveyor, Tompkins, the telegraph repairer, and other
Government employees were taken prisoners. Major Crozier, who
was stationed at Fort Canton, received this news on the 19th,
and at once sent over to Prince Albert to Captain Moore and
others asking for reinforcements. A meeting was held, and it was
determined to send a force of forty men, who on the 20th marched
to Fort Canton, forty miles distant, arriving there about ten
o'clock the same night. Major Crozier had already received a
letter from Riel, through Mr. Mitchell, the owner of stores at
Duck Lake, demanding his surrender. Crozier at once sent Thomas
McKay with Mitchell to the half-breeds to endeavour to get them
to disperse. McKay,