Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-10-13
.BACON'S SOLDIERS BESICGED.
Col. Sheehan's Account of the
Fights with the Indians.
HOT DURING FIRST ENCOUNTER
About Two Hundred Men In
z the Attacking Party.


Walker, Mimi, Oct 7.-Col. T. j.
Sheehan, deputy marshal, who was
wounded in Wednesdays fight, arrived
her early today, and gave a graphic
account of the action up to the time
he started back. He said
eve landed about 10 o'clock. on
Wednesday morning, on the southeast
side of the point on the mainland
directly north of Bear Island. Near
the shore, is the log house of BugAh-
Map Go-S Sink. Gen. Bacon left IL
soldiers along the shore, to protect the
landing place, and the remainder of
the troops marched across the point to
the west side and along the shore for
two miles, looking for some Indians
who were said t. want a council. l
remained behind with my interpreter,
and arrested an indian | wanted, near
the house, and sent him TO the boat
While l was talking to some other
Indians, saw six bucks, armed with
Winchesters, come out of the house
and go inland. They did not speak to
me, although was their agent for five
years, and feared trouble, and called
in the IL soldiers who were scattered
along the shore. About that time,
Gen. Bacon returned with the troops.
Half the men had stacked arms, and
the order to unload their equipments
was given. AS they did so, shot was
fired, and firing almost Immediately
became general. The soldiers formed in
| line, in semi-circle facing the Indians,
| and the II men who were with me
| rushed up to protect the right flank,
and drove the Indians back, securing
more favorable position. One of
these men was shot in the face, one in
| the arm and a third in the leg. ] do
\ not know how the other men were
wounded. After our first rush, we had
4 the best of the position. The log house
\ was inside our lines, and it was used
1 as hospital, and the men sought the
cover Of logs and trees and settled down
for long fight. Fighting continued
during the day and evening, and was
renewed yesterday morning, although
it was never SO hot as during the first
hour or SO. A boat with some pro-
visions made landing yesterday morn
i ing, and Gen. Bacon wanted to send
the wounded back. He sent me down
to make arrangements, and went in a
canoe out to the steamer. They brought
down one wounded man, and the cap
tain Of the boat brought him off shore.
Before the others could be moved, the
Indians opened hot fire on the boat,
4 and we had to leave. About six miles
out, we met the Flora, going in with
30 or more armed mon and everything
| the soldiers need Wehn left, there
had been five killed and eight wounded,
besides the Indian policeman. Three
men were sick. / do not know tn,
names Of any of the killed or wounded
except Major Wilkinson. Gen. Bacoi
handled his men magnificently, ant
was on the firing line during the who'll
Of the engagement, encouraging hi
men and directing the operations. III,
was ably seconded by Mayor Wilkin
son, until the latter was killed; ant
Lieut. Ross, under fire for the frs
, time, showed himself a born fighter
He rallied the men at the openin,
. volley, and stayed right with them al
the time. 1t is impossible to tell hoy
many Indians are In the attacking
party, but / should Jay not less tina
$50 or 400, and we do not know hoy
many more are joining them. The
evidently had the thing all planne,
, out, and were ready to begin firing q
! the signal. They concentrated part o
their fire on the boats, to drive ther
away and leave the soldiers no mean
, of retreat, evidently thinking the
could ,oyerpower the whole forcS TIL
newspapermen = Brill, Beaton an
! Knappen-were all in good shapt whe
! left, doing their share of duty on th
! line. None Of them had been injured.