The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-07
COL. sHEEHAN.s STORY.
The Deputy Marsha1's Account of the
Fighting on Wednesday.

han, deputy marshal, who was wounded
in Wednesdays fight, arrived here early to-
day and gives graphic account of the ac-
ton up to the time he started back. He
says: I'VE landed about 10 o'clock yester-
day morning the southeast side of the
point on the mainland directly north of
Bear island. Near the shore is the log
house of Boo-Ah- Me- &c -Shrk General
Bacon left twelve soldiers along the shore
to protect the landing place and the re-
mainder of the troops marched across the
point to the west side and along the shore
for a couple of miles looking for some In
dams who were said to want council.
II remained behind with my interpreter
and arrested an Indian L wanted near the
house and sent him to the boat. While
was talking with some other Indians 1 saw
six bucks, armed with Winchesters, come
out of the house and go away inland. They
did not speak to me- although l was their
agent for five years, and l feared trouble
and called in the twelve soldiers who were
scattered along the shore.
about that time General Bacon returned
with the troops. Half the men had stacked
arms and the order was given to unload
their equipments. AS they did so a shot
was fired, and firing almost Immediately
became general. The soldiers formed in line
in a semi-circle facing the Indians, and the
twelve men who were with me rushed up to
protect the right flank and drove the In
dams back, securing a more favorable po-
sition. One of these men was shot in the
face, one in the arm and third in the leg.
L do rot know how the other men were
wounded.
after our first rush we had the best of
lines and it was used hospital and the
men sought the cover of logs and trees and
settled down for a long fight. 1t continued
during the day and evening. and was re-
newed this morning, although it was never
so hot as during the first hour or so.
This morning boat made landing
with some provisions, and General Bacon
wanted to send the wounded back. He sent
me down to make arrangements. and 1 went
out to the steamer in a canoe. They brought
down one wounded man. and the captain of
the boat brought him off shore before the
others could be moved. The Indians opened
a hot fire on the boat, and we had to leave
About six miles out we met the Flora 60
ing in with thirty or more armed men and
everything the soldiers needed.
when 1 left there had been five killed
and eight wounded, besides the Indian po-
liceman Three men were sick. / don't
know the names of any of the killed or
wounded except Major Wilkinson. General
Bacon handled his men magnificently,
and was on the firing line during the whole
of the engagement, encouraging his men
and directing the operations. He was ably
seconded by Major Wilkinson until he was
killed and Lieutenant Ross, under fire for
the first time, showed himself a born fight
er. He rallied the men at the opening vol
ley and stayed right with them all the
time.
1T is impossible to tell how many Indians
are in the attacking party, but l should say
not less than $50 or 200 and we don't know
how many more are joining them. They evil
IDENTIFY had the thing all planned out and
were ready to begin firing at the signal.
They concentrated their fire on The boats
to drive them away and leave the soldiers
no means of retreat, evidently thinking they
could overpower the whole force.
The newspaper men, Brill, Beaton and
knappen, were all in good shape when
No one of them had been injured
Several of the small boats and the steamer
Flora went out during the night and early
this morning to endeavor to land provisions
for General Bacon'S beleagured command
and bring away the dead and wounded. The
Flora had thirty Brainerd fighters and
L
succeeded in effecting the purpose of the
trip. Harris McCabe, with the Vera made
a landing off the north end of Bear island
where the troops are intrenched landing
a sufficient quantity of provisions to relieve
immediate necessities of the men. An at
tempt was then made to bring down some
of the wounded. The steamer could not APP
proach close to the shore. and 1t was neces-
sary to use a small boat. One man was
brought across the open, but the Indians
concentrated their fire on this point and on
the boat. The place too hot and Nc
Cabe was forced to leave.
During the engagement Colonel Sheehan
received a slight flesh wound across the
abdomen, a bullet through his coat sleeve
and another through his trousers leg.
Major Wilkinson was killed yesterday aft
ernoon He received a flesh wound in the
leg and retired to have ii dressed by DIR.
Harris the surgeon with the party. He
then reported TO General Bacon, on the fir
ing line, as ready for duty and while talk
ing with General Bacon an Indian sharp
shooter picked him out. Major Wilkinson
was shot through the body from side TO
side and died almost instantly.
The agency Indians have been disposed to
be peaceful up to to-day, but last night one
of the Indian police was killed by the troops
by mistake, and the Indians are now dis
posed TO be hostile. The occurrence was
most unfortunate but it is hard TO see how
any blame can attach 10 the troops. The
Indian policeman. Ruslin who was said
10 be one Of the best of the agency Indians,
had accompanied the troops and had fought
valiantiy, but towards night he thought he
he0 enough 81 4, and started With another