The Portland daily press., 1898-10-07

Walker, Mimi, October 6.-Sounds of
conflict have come from Bear island all
day, but people are still in ignorance of
the real situation on the battle-ground
where Gen. Bacon and his men had their
encounter with the Pillager Indians yes
terday. Up to an early hour this morn
ing there were many grounds for fearing
Gen. Bacon and his command had been
annihilated. No direct word had been
received from any man who participated
in the first battle. Early this morning.
however, the firing was resumed and it
has continued practically all day.
This makes it certain that Gen. Bacon's
command is still ON earth and in fight
ing trim. 1t is now believed that the
soldiers are entrenched and in a position
to hold out until reinforcements reach
them. Col. Harbach of the Sd infantry,
reached here late this afternoon and i'm
mediately started for Bear island. 1t is
30 miles distant and progress will neces.
sarily be slow.
No courier has reached hsre from Bear
island during the day and it is impossi-
BILE to learn the result of today's fight
ing. A posse of citizens succeeded in land
ing on Bear island, secured the bodies OF
four of the men killed in Wednesday, S
battle and brought away nine wounded
soldiers.
The citizens were driven back to their
boats by Indians firing from the bush,
but no fatalities are reported.
An effort was made last night to secure
intelligence from Bear island, but it
failed. The despatch boat Flora sailed
close to shore and signalled for an hour,
but no answering signal was returned.
To land was an impossibility.
The condition of Bacon's men, even if
they are safe from annihilation, must be
deplorable. They are ill-supplied with
,oyercoats and blankets. They have no
tents. Their food supplies were short
when they landed and they are In no
shape to stand long seige.
Walker. Mimi October 6.-Indian
Agent Sutherland, who was with General
Bacon at Sugar Point. gives the follow
ing account of the conflict up to the time
Of his leaving for supplies. When the ar
rest of two fugitives had been accom-
plished, the Indians with profession OF
friendship showed the soldiers their
tepees and called attention to their neat
ness, all the time stating 'Ine good
Indian"
General Bacon, who has had great ex-
perience with the Sioux and other savages
did not take much stock in these pro-
fessions of friendship aud ordered apart Of
his company to search the adjoining
timber for any lurking savages, but none
were to be seen. They must have been
hidden in the thick underbrush and those
unaocusto1ned to searching timber could
easily have been deceived, for it was not
ten minutes after this before the firing
had commenced. Had the Indians not
contemplated general massacre, they
would have fired on the men who were
searching the timber.
The Pillagers are well armed ana are
GOOD marksmen and they had the advant-
age at the start Ii our men are hoO AL
killed it is surmised they have gone some
distance into the woods where they woulo
be safe from night attack from announcer
band Of Indians who could have come up
ON them from the lake shore. If it Is true
that the Cass lake Indians have gone 10
assist the Bear Island Indians, the re-