The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-02
A LESSON.
Indians Given
One.
BACON'S REPORT.
A Short and Decisive Cam
paign in Minnesota.

who commanded the United States
forces at the recent Indian battle at
Leach Lake Mimi, has sent detailed
report Of the action to Adjutent Gen
eral Corbin. The interesting portion of
the report is that in regard to the bat
tie, of which General Bacon writes:
At O'Clock a. m. we reached Sugar
Point, % miles east of Walker, located
on a neck of land or peninsula extend
ing about five miles into the lake, aver
aging about two miles in width and al
most two miles north of Bear island.
AT this point a landing, difficult by rea-
son of high seas and natural obstruo-
lions, was effected, and two Indians
for whom warrants existed were arrest
ed by the marshals.
After searching the vicinity of the
point, | left Lieutenant Ross and 20
men to guard the landing and boats,
and proceeded with Captain Wilkinson,
the remainder of the detachment and
the civilians, and searched the country
back for three miles. Occasionally we
saw at a distance q few bucks, who
disappeared at our approach. The wo
men and children seemed nervous, and
gradually concealed themselves. At
11.2O the entire party had reassembled
at the landing, about which Lieutenant
Ross mac thrown out picketS. ] had
concluded to remain at Sugar point all
night and had given orders to send
back one boat for rations and tentage,
both boats being too heavily laden with
men To load rations 'on coming up.
The detachment had secured orders to
stack arms. when one Of our rifles was
accidentally discharged
Instantly the Indians fired a volley in
to the ranks of the detachment from
the surrounding woods and underbrush
and charged to the edge of same, keep
ing Up a rapid, continuous fire. My
detachment was composed of AZ absolu-
taly raw recruits and 19 OLD soldiers.
Attack was made. the men were in
line near a log hut.
They were for a moment confused by
the first Indian volley and demoniac
yelling, and broke ranks and attempted
to conceal themselves behind the house,
but they recovered almost instantly,
and under the personal directions of
the 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 it
was penetrable.
then formed my deployed line on
two sides of a square, each side skirt
ing the timber whence the attack came
and protecting the log hut wherein
continued their tactics Of crawling up,
concealed by the underbrush and at
lacking until dark. the attacks grow
Ing less and less vigorous They were
armed with Winchesters reapeating
rifles and appeared well supplied with
ammunition, judging from the prodigal
use which they made of it.
During the night they disappeared
from the peninsula, so far as could be
ascertained, supposedly departing in
their canoes to neighboring lands or
islands. They seemed to have had quite
enough of fighting and We're not heard
from, except an occasional distant shot,
one of which killed a soldier digging
potatoes in an adjoining field ON the
morning of the 9Th.
Capt. and Brevet Maj. M. c. Willlin
son, Third infantry, was killed very
soon after the first repulse Of the at
tack, whilst steadying and gallantly
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 sur
vived his actions would have merited
the highest consideration from the war
department
l can not too strongly express my
admiration for the intrepedity absolute
GOODNESS and good judgment displayed
by Second Lieut. Tenney Ross, Third
infantry, commanding the left half of
the line. He exposed himself both in
leading his platoon and in caring for
the wounded He was commissioned
last July, but appeared in this fight to
be a veteran. From the courage shown
by him in this engagement, his we'll
known ability and good habits, ! feel
safe in predicting for him a brilliant
military career, and beg to recommend
that he be breVeted for conspicuous
bravery in this action
] also take great pleasure in calling
attention to the courageous conduct Of
and efficient personal services rendered
by Acting Assistant Surgeon Herbert
j. Harris, United States army This
officer at the time of attack was on
board one Of the steamboats, anchored
some distance from the landing but
returned to shore in a small boat I'M
der the Indian fire and Joined us.
Cpon the death of Captain Willxin-
son First Sergeant Thomas Kelly.
Company e, third infantry, was assign
ed to command the skirmishers on the
right of the line. He performed his
duty so CALAMITY by his example in
leading and directing his men, that /
most earnestly recommend that he be
avail ded medal of honor
! would fail in my duty should
neglect to relate the part taken by
Private Oscar Burkhardt. hospital
corps, Jnteu States army, winch elicit
ell during the six hours fighting the
applause and admiration of our entire
line. Scarcely a man fell who was not
instantly attended to ana received in
telligent aid from Private Burkhardt
He exposed himself throughout the en-
tire engagement, and is most deserv-
ing of the medal of honor, for which he
is heartily recommended
At the Beginning of the attack, the
two boats containing the United States
marshal some of his deputies and the
Indian Inspector and Indian agent,
with most of the citizens left the
scene. 1t was the only sensible course
they could have pursued. for had they
remained they must have been under
the fire Of the Indians concealed in the
underbrdsh along the shore. am
greatly indebted to Marshal O'Connor
for his prompt and intelligent action
In sending supplies and ammunition
The civilians. unable to reach the boats,
took shelter along the lake shore i'm
meGiatelv in rear of my line, whence
thcy Joined me after dark at my bly,
ouac. Among the latter were the fol-
lowing newspaper correspondents: x.