The Metis in all likelihood would have been more successful militarily - and ultimately might have been able to force the Canadian government to some sort of compromise or concessions - if Dumont had had a free hand as to tactics. However, Riel, after having committed the Metis to rebellion, did not seem to have much of a stomach for bloodshed, his earlier treatment of Scott notwithstanding. He overruled Dumont at one or two key moments, giving up potential strategic advantage in order to avoid probable annihilation of federal forces. (That's my impression from the reading I've done on the subject; I'm rusty on the details).