The age-herald., 1898-11-02
BACON REPORTS ON INDIAN FIGHT Details of the Battle With Redskins at
 LeeCh Lake. LANDING WAS EFFECTED 1t Sugar Point After Much Difficulty and
 Danger. RIFLE WAS ACCIDENTALLY FIRED And the Indians Immediately Poured a Volley Into the Ranks of the Regu- lars s-Examples of Courage
 and Great Bravery.
LANDING WAS EFFECTED
RIFLE WAS ACCIDENTALLY FIRED

Washington, November 1.-General Ba- con, who commanded the United States forces at the recent Indian battle at Leech Lake, Minn., has sent detailed report of the action to Adjutant General Corbin. The interesting portion of the report is that in regard to the battle, of which General Ba- con writes:
 At o'clock a. m. we reached Sugar Point, twenty-five miles east of Walker, located on a neck of land or peninsular ex- tending about five miles into the lake, av- eraging about two miles in width and about two miles north of Bear Island. At this point landing, difficult by reason of high seas and natural Instructions, was effected and two Indians, for whom warrants ex- isted, were arrested by the marshals.
 After searching the vicinity of the point I left Lieutenant Ross and twenty 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 distance few bucks, who disappeared with our approach. .'At 11:30 the entire party had reassembled at the landing, about, which Lieutenant Ross had thrown out pickets.
 Rife Discharged
 .1The detachment had received orders to stack arms. when one of our rifles was ac- cidentally discharged. Instantly the in- dians fired a 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 ffty-eight absolutely raw recruits and nineteen old soldiers. When the attack was
 s..1 1t,,ax loo hut They were for moment confused with the first Indian volley and demoniacal yells, and broke ranks and made to conceal them- selves behind the hut. But they recovered almost instantly, and under the personal di- rection of the three officers poured a steady fire and in turn charged and drove the In dians back through the thick brush as far as it was penetrable I then formed my deploy line on two sides of square, each side skirting the timber whence the attack came and protected the log hut, wherein were placed the wounded. The Indians continued their tactics of crawling up con- cealed by the underbrush and attacking until dark, the attacks growing less and less vigorous They were armed with Win chester repeating rifles, and appeared well supplied with ammunition. During the night they disappeared from the peninsular so far as could be ascertained, supposedly departing in their canoes to neighboring lands or islands. They seemed to have hao quite enough of fighting.
 wilkInson's Death
 "Cantain and Brevet Major c. M. Wilkin son. Third infantry, was killed very soon after the first attack while steadying and pallantly leading the portion of the line assigned to him. had observed his cool ness and courage up to the moment of his falling. and feel sure that had he survived his action would have merited the highest considerat tion from the war department
 ..I cannot too highly express my admira- ton for the intrepidity and cool judgment displayed by Second Lieutenant Tenny Ross, Third Infantry, commanding the lelt half of the line. He exposed himself In leading his platoon and in caring for the wounded He was commissioned only last July, but appeared in the fight to be veteran. From the courage shown by him in this engagement, his well-known ability and good habits, feel safe in predicting for him brilliant military career, and beg to recommend that he be breveted for con- spicuous bravery in this action.
 .I also take great pleasure in calling at- tention to the courageous conduct and ef- ficient professional services rendered by Acting Assistant Surgeon Herbert B. Har- ris, U. s. A. This officer at the time of at- tack was on board one of the steamboats anchored, but returned to shore in small boat under the Indian fire and joined us.
 ..Upon the death of Captain Wilson, First Sergeant Thomas Kelly, Company E, Third Infantry, was assigned to command the ekirmishers on the right of the line. He performed this duty so gallantly by his example in leading and directing his men that must earnestly recommend that he be awarded a medal of honor.
 A Private's Part
 'I would fail in my duty should l neglect to relate the part taken by Private Oscar Burkhard, hospital corps, U. s. A., which elicited during the six hours fighting the applause and admiration of our entire line.