Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-11-02
THE INDIAN WAR.
Gen. Bacon's Report Of Battle
With the Chippewas.
Conspicuous Bravery Of Officers and
Men Under Heavy Fire.
Several Recommended for Promotion aad
Medals Causes Of Trouble.

Washington, Nov. 1.-Gen. Bacon,
who commanded the United States
forces at the recent Indian battle at
Leech lake, Minn., has sent detailed
report of the action to Adjutant Gen.
eral Corbin. The interesting portion OF
the report is that in regard to the bat
tie. of which Gen. Bacon writes:
AT . o'clock A. NJ, we reached Sugar
Point, 25 miles east of Wayker, located
on a neck of land extending about S
miles into the lake, averaging about
2 miles in width and almost miles
north of Bear Island. At this port a
landing, difficult by reason of high
seas and natural distractions, was af-
fected and two Indians, for whom war
rants existed, were arrested by the
marshals.
After searching the vicinity of the
point, I left Lieut.. Ross and 20 men to
guard the landing and boats and pro-
ceeded with Capt. Wilkinson. the re-
mainder of the detachment and the
civilians and searched the country
back for three miles. Occasionally we
saw at distance few bucks, who dis
appeared at our approach. The women
and children seemed nervous and grad
udliy cOuCGdIeQ themselves.
At 1920 the entire party had reassem-
bled at the landing. about which Lieut..
Boss had thrown out pickets. The de-
tachment had received orders to stack
arms, when one of our rifles was acci-
dentally discharged. Instantly the In
dians fired volley into the ranks of
the detachment from the surrounding
woods and underbrush, and charged to
the edge of the same, keeping up a
rapid continuous fire. My detachment
was composed of As absolutely raw re-
cruits and 10 old soldiers.
When the attack was made, the men
were in line near log hut. They
were for a moment confused by the
first Indian volley and the demoniac
yelling and broke ranks and attempt
ed to conceal. themselves, behind the
hut. But they recovered almost in
stantly and under the personal direc-
tions of three officers present, formed
a steady skirmish line and in their
turn charged and drove the Indians
back through the thick brush as far as
1t was penetrable.
Il then formed by deployed line On
two sides of square. each side skirt
ing the timber whence the attack came
and protecting the log hut, wherein
We're placed the wounded. The Indians
continued their tactics of crawling up,
concealed by the underbrush, and at
tacking until dark the attacks growing
less and less vigorous.
Captain and Brevet Major Wilkinson,
Sd Infantry, was killed very soon after
the first repulse of the attack, while
steadying and gallantly leading the por-
tion of the line assigned to him. 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 consideration
from the war department.
II cannot too strongly express my ad-
mration for the intrepidity, absolute
GOODNESS and good judgment displayed by
I'd Lieut.. Tenney Ross Sd Infantry, COM
manding the left half of the line, and beg
to recommend that he be breveted for
conspicuous bravery.
Il also take great pleasure in calling
attention to the courageous conduct and
efficient professional services rendered by
Acting Assistant Surgeon Herbert J.
Harris, U. S. A.
Upon the death of Capt. Wilkinson,
lst Sergeant Thomas Kelly, Co. e, Sd In
fantry. was assigned to command the
skirmishers on the right OF the line. He
performed this duty sodgaliantly by his
in leading and ditecting his men,
that most earnestly recommend that he
be awarded a medal of honor. ss
Il would fail in my duty should I neg
lest to relate the part taken by Private
Oscar Burkhardt, Hospital Corps, U. s.
Continued on, mage 31