The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-02
Accidental Discharge of a Soldiers
Rifle Was Followed by n Vol
ley from the Indians.
GALLANT TROOPS PRAISED
AND REWARD RECOMMENDED FOR
SEVERAL OF THE FIGHTERS.
Long, Costly War Averted by Defeat
~ Treasury Statement.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1-General Bacon,
who commanded the United States forces at
the recent Indian battle at Leech Lake,
Mimi, has sent a detailed report of the ac-
ton to Adjutant General Corbin. The inter-
esting portion of the report is that in re-
gard to the battle, of which General Bacon
writes
"At o'clock a. m. we reached Sugar
point, twenty-five miles east Of Walker,
located on a neck of land or peninsula ex-
tending about five miles into the lake, aver
aging about two miles in width and almost
two miles north of Bear island. At this
point landing, difficult by reason of high
seas and natural distractions, was effected
and two Indians, for whom warrants ex-
isted were arrested by the marshals
After searching the vicinity OF the point
left Lieutenant Ross and twenty men to
guard the landing and boats, and proceeded
with Captain Wilkinson, the remainder of
the detachment and the civilians, and
searched the country back for three miles
Occasionally we saw at a distance a few
bucks who disappeared with our approach.
The women and children seemed nervous
and gradually concealed themselves. At 1870
the entire party had reassembled at the
landing, about which Lieutenant Ross had
thrown out picketS. l had concluded to re-
main at Sugar point all night, and had given
orders to send back one boat for rations
and tentage, both boats being too heavily
laden with men to load rations on coming
up. The detachment had received orders to
stack arms, when one of our rifles was ac-
cidentally discharged. Instantly the Indians
fired volley into the ranks OF the detach-
ment from the surrounding WOODS ana
underbrush, and charged to the edge OF the
same keeping up rapid, continuous fire.
My detachment was composed of fifty
eight absolutely raw recruits and nineteen
old soldiers. When the attack was made
they were in line near log hut. ey were
for moment confused with the Indian
volley and demoniac yelling, b. ranks
and attempted to conceal thamselv4 behind
the hut But they recovered almost Instant
ly and under the personal directions of the
three officers present formed steady Skin
mish line and in their turn charged and
drove the Indians back through the thick
brush as far as it was penetrable. l then
formed my deployed line on two sides of
square, each side skirting the timber whence
the attack came and protecting the los hut,
wherein were placed the wounded.
ARMED WITH WINCHESTERS.
''The Indians continued their tactics OF
crawling up, concealed by the underbrush,
and attacking until dark, the attacks grow
ing less and less vigorous. They were armed
with Winchester repeating rifles, and ap-
peared we'll supplied with ammunition, judg-
ing from the prodigal use which they made
of it. During the night they disappeared
from the peninsula, so far as could be ascer-
tanned. supposedly departing in their canoes
to neighboring lands or islands. They
seemed to have had quite enough of fighting,
and were not heard from, except an occa-
sonal distant shot, one of which killed
soldier digging potatoes in an adjoining
fed on the morning of the 9Th.
Captain and BreVet Major NJ. e. Wilkin-
son, Third Infantry. was killed very soon
after the first repulse of the attack, while
steadying and CALAMITY leading the portion
of the line assigned TO him. i had observed
his GOODNESS and courage up to the moment
of his falling, and feel sure that had he
survived his action would have merited the
highest consideration from the War Depart
ment.
II cannot too strongly express my admira-
ton for the intrepidity, absolute GOODNESS
and good judgment displayed by Second
Lieutenant Tenney Ross, Third Infantry,
commanding the left half of the line. He
exposed himself both in leading his platoon
and in care for the wounded. He was COM
missoned only last July, but appeared in
this fight to be a veteran. From the cour-
well-known ability and good habits feel
safe in predicting for him brilliant mill
be brevetted for conspicuous bravery in this
Il also fake great pleasure in calling at
tention to the courageous conduct and eff
cient professional services rendered by act
ing assistant Surgeon Herbert J. Harris.
u. S. A. This officer at the time of the
attack. was on board one of the steamboats,.
anchored some distance from the landing,
but returned to shore in d small boat under
the Indian fire and Joined us.
Upon the DEATH of Captain wilkinson
First Sergeant Thomas Kelly, Company r.
Third Infantry was assigned to command
the skirmishers on the right of the line He
performed this duty so calamity by his ex
ample in leading and directing his men that
awarded medal of honor.
PRAISE FOR A PRIVATE.
ST would fail in my duty should 1 neglect
to relate the part taken by Private Oscar
Burkard, Hospital Corps, u. S. A., which
ELECTED, during the six hours fighting, the
applause and admiration of our entire line.
Scarcely man fell who was not instantly
attended to and received intelligent aid from.
Private Burkard. He exposed himself
throughout the entire engagement, and is
most deserving of the medal OF honor, for
which he is heartily recommended.
"At the beginning of the attack the two
boats containing the United States marshal.
some of his deputies, and the Indian inspec-
tor and Indian agent, with most of the citi-
zens. left the scene. IT was the only sensi-
BILE course they could have pursued for had
they remained they must have been under
the fire of the Indians concealed in the I'M
derbruSh along shore. / greatly in
debted to Marshal O'Connor for his subse-
quent prompt and intelligent actIon In send
ing supplies and ammunition The civilians
unable to reach the boats took shelter along
the lake shore. Immediately in rear of my
line. whence they joined me after dark at
my bivouac Among the latter were the fol-
lowing newspaper correspondents: X. 9.
Beaton, Minneapolis Tribune; Will A. Brill,
Pioneer Press, and Harry L. Knappen Min
neapolis Times, who made themselves most
welcome guests by their attention to the
wounded and cheerful department.
II regret to report that during the night
two Indian policemen, who had failed to
get off the steamboat and whose presence
cross the lake in a canoe and whilst near
my picket guard were mistaken for hostiles
and fired upon, one being killed instantly
and the other slightly wounded and cap
tured."
General Bacon then reviews the subse-
quent events, ending with the surrender of
all save two of the Indians wanted and
closes as follows: From all obtainable in
formation these Chippewa Indians have long
entertained complaints of the disposition OF
timber of their reservations; they also
claimed to have experienced much suffering
by reason of prOmiscuouS arrests among
them by United States deputy marshals. IL
is believed that they have been for more
than a year preparing to resist the United
States authorities. accommodating ammuni-
ton, dancing. and getting ready after their
own fashion for war, and when my detach-
ment of seventy-seven soldiers reached
their almost inaccessible holes they made
their one desperate effort. They were bad
~ Whipped and driven from their chosen