In the spring of 1885, Big Bear and his supporters were directly responsible for the victory at Frog Lake, which the eastern media quickly labeled the "Frog Lake Massacre." When the Canadian field force under the command of Middleton was unable to defeat Big Bear at the Battle of Frenchman's Butte on May 27, Middleton sent this communiqué to Big Bear. It provides fascinating insight into the personal side of warfare and the hatred that the opposing sides had for each other.