The times., 1898-11-02
BRAVERY OF LIEUT.. ROSS.
Gen. Bncon's story OF His Behavior
In the PilIaEer War.

In the PilIaEer War.
Brig. Gen John nj. Bacon, commanding
the Department of Dakota, has sent to
the adjutant general a report Of the recent
brief warfare between the Third Infantry
and the Pillager Indians, in Minnesota.
Gen Bacon tells in detail the story of the
fight much as it has heretofore been tele-
graphed to the War Department and pub
lished.
Gen. Bacon mentions a number Of Of
ficers for gallant conduct in the follow
ing language:
Captain and Brevet Major H C. Vii
kinson, Third Infantry, was killed very
soon after the first repulse of the attack.
whilst steadying and calamity leading
the portion of the line assigned to him.
l had observed his GOODNESS and courage
up to the moment of his falling, and
feel sure that had he survived his actions
would have merited the highest consider
alton from the War Department.
II cannot too strongly express my -ad-
mration for the intrepidity. absolute cool
ness and good judgment displayed by Sec
ond Lieut.. Tenney Ross Third Infantry
commanding the left half of the line He
exposed himself. both in leading his rla-
toon and in care for the wounded. He
was commissioned only last July. hu. ap-
peared in this fight TO be a veteran l
beg to recommend that he be brevetted
foI conspicuous bravery in this action.
81 take great pleasure in calling atten-
ton to the courageous conduct and eff
cient professional services rendered by
Acting Assistant Surgeon Herbert J. Har-
ris, U. S. A. This officer. at the time of
attack, was on board one of the steam
boats. anchored some distance from the
landing, but returned to shore in a small
boat under the Indian fire and joined u.s.
Upon the death of Capt Wilkinson.
first sergeant, Thomas Kelly, Company
Z, Third Infantry, was assigned to COM
mand the skirmishers on the right of the
line. He performed this duty so gallantly
by his example in leading and directing
his men. that l most earnestly recon-
mend that he be awarded a medal of
honor.
Il would fail in my duty should l neg
lect to relate the part taken by Private
Oscar Burkard. hospital corps, U. S. A.
Scarcely a man fell who was not in
stantly attended to and received intelli-
gent aid from Private Burkard He ex-
posed himself throughout the entire en-
gagement and is most deserving of the
medal of honor, for which he is heartily
recommended"
The report concludes as follows:
T From all obtainable information these
Chippewa Indians have long entertained
complaints of the disposition of timber
on their reservation. They also claim
ed to have experienced much suffering
by reason of promiscuous arrests among
them by United States deputy marshals
1t is believed that they have been for
more than year preparing to resist the
United States authorities. accommodating
ammunition, dancing and getting ready.
after their own fashion, for war; and
when my detachment of seventy-seven
soldiers reached their almost inaccessible
homes they made their one desperate ef-
fort. They were badly whipped and
driven from their chosen battle-ground
and now declare that they want no more
lighting with United States soldiers.
They were found arrogant and boast
full: they are now Inundated and beg
ging for peace, and I believe, with the
Commissioner, that they are honest in
that statement. 1 further believe that
the result of that fight prevented the
Bear Islanders from being largely re-en-
forced by neighboring Indians and saved
northern Minnesota from long and
costly Indian war.
Owing to the densely wooded nature
of the country, the losses sustained by
the Indians have not been accurately as
certained."