The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-07

Bliss received a telegram tonight from
Indian Inspector Tinker announcing a
fight with the Pillager Indians in Min
nesota today. 1t did not say how many
were killed. Marshal O'Connor wired
Attorney General Griggs that a general
Indian uprising was imminent. On re-
ceipt Of these advices Secretary Alger
ordered reinforcements sent to the
scene at once on a special train, If
necessary, and with a Gatling gun, if
lneeded.
Minneapolis, Mimi, October 5.-A
special to The Journal from Walker,
Mimi, says:
A terrible battle was fought at II
o'clock this morning, thirty miles from
Walker at BOg-Ah-Me-Ge Skirk' S
point, close to Bear island. A detach-
ment of 100 men under General Bacon
was landed on the point shortly after
o'clock. The landing was effected
with considerable difficulty owing to a
high sea. After landing, - sortie of
the bush was made in all directions.
The soldiers went through the thick
underground very carefully and with
every precaution taken against am
bush. No Indians were seen until near
ly II o'clock. The men were then or
dered to line up in an open space near
the shore OF the lake. Charges were
drawn and preparations made for dim
ner. The order to make coffee had
been given and the soldiers were stand
ing in column formation when the
first shot was fired. 1t came from Bog
4h Me Ge Skirk's house. The ball
S,ruck Ed. Harris, ex-marshel of
Walker, a halfbreed. His arm was
broken That was the signal. I'm
mediately the firing became general
from all directions. 1t seemed that a
shot came from every bush. Three Of
General Bacon's men dropped. They
were at once carried to the rear. On
the instant that the first shot was
heard every man in the command
sprang for cover, without waiting for
orders. Like a flash the blue column
had vanished, and not sign was to be
seen of the eighty men who had stood
erect but an instant before except here
and there a little patch where a gray
hat might be made out.
/ heard General Bacon's voice high
above everything admonishing his men.
The general stood straight up and sup
ported by Major Wilkinson looked
right into the eye of the red devils.
STEADY, men! he called keep cool
now, keep COOL"
Again there came a volley from the
Indians and that was what the troops
had been waiting for. The Krag-Jor-
jensens opened with frightful rattle
Just as the Pillagers made terrific
rush. Half a dozen of them dropped
and the rest fell back yelling like
fiends incarnate. I don't know how
many Indians there were, but there
Must have been $50 or 200. Lieutenant
3lrriSnp with squad Of tupntV
made a rush to prevent the recapture
of Old Nah Quod, a very choice Scoun-
drel, and Bap DwayWe Dung. The mar
shals had had these men under arrest
and a rescue would certainly have
been effected. but Lieutenant Morrison
yelled Charge" and his squad scat
tered the copper cOlored gang.
BY this time the troops were under
cover. The Indians were firing in
desultory way and the order was Civ
en- to charge. The soldiers rose, duck
ing and dropping like grasshoppers
They made the most of their oppor
tunity. Suddenly a volley was fire(
by the Indians at the steam tug Flora
which lay off shore. A score Of bull
let's tore through the frail wood worl
of the boat and every man except tn
pilot sought cover Some blazed ava!
in return with revolvers, but the rang
was too long.
"A
Chief, of Duluth. Inspector Tinke
was shot through the leg and his Goa
sleeves were torn to ribbons by an
other ball. The Flora steamed for tn
agency under orders from Marsha
O'Connor, who was on board, to get tn
twenty men under Lieutenant Hum
phrey, who had been left there. O'Con
nor escaped death by miracle. TIL
Indians fired a volley directly at him
~ Brill, the newspaper correspondent
and also Beaton, fought bravely will
lrevolvers. They took desperate chance
several times and came out safely.
,The steersman of my tug, Jennie
IS <rhot through the arm with a Win
+ ch9s ter ball. He is very badly hurt
The Indians gave us full volley a
we o, llled out. Rev. Mr.. Chantler, o
Owato, ona, Mimi, who was with me il
the boa t, had a very narrow escape.
On board the Flora, when she start
ed for endorsements, were Marsha
OConnor. Deputy Morrison. Indial
Agent Sutl lerland and the Indian pris
oners. A gl lard of two men under Cor
moral T. 7. lNettokoven was sent will
the Flora. Sh,, will return at once will
rations and al. ammunition.
Lieutenant Humphrey was white
with rage when tne news reached hlm
His men have already started for tn,
front.
The fire of the Krag-Jorgansen!
4wer1ty miles distant IS distinctly audi
BILE from this point. They nave beer
banging away all the afternoon. A mar
iust in tells me that we lose TOUR XIII
ed and nine wounded up to cate Ther'
@ras y mistake made to begin with IL
sendine so few men. Had two com