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Battle
of Seven Oaks: Shoot-out
Under the Trees
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Semple and
a group of 27 men met Cuthbert and his men under a group of trees
that was known as Seven Oaks. They taunted
each other and exchanged threats.
"Why have
you destroyed our forts, you damned scoundrel?" one of the
Métis yelled.
Semple did not
like being called a scoundrel. The threats turned into pushing and
shoving. A gun went off and Semple was shot in the leg. This started
a gun battle. In a matter of minutes, Semple and 20 of his men
lay dead on the ground. Only one Métis was dead. Grant
took a prisoner and sent him to demand the surrender of Fort Douglas.
The colony gave up immediately.
This was
the beginning of all-out war between the Baymen and the Nor'westers.
The fighting was no longer only about controlling the fur trade.
It was now about hate and the struggle for power.
Links
to more information…
…About
the Selkirk Settlers and the Battle of Seven Oaks:
The Métis Resource Centre: The
Battle of Seven Oaks
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What
caused the Battle of Seven Oaks?
Bonus: What do you think
was Semple's biggest mistake?
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