The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-07
Was Not Wiped Out by
Chippewa Indians.
REINFORCEMENTS NEEDED
The Command is Poorly Equipped
TO Stand a Long Siege.
FOUR BODIES WERE RECOVERED

Walker. MINI. Oct. AT first II was
feared that Bacon and his command had
been annihilated. Direct word had not
been received from any man who par
ticipated in the first battle. Thursday
howevW. the firing was resumed, and
continued practically all day. This
makes IL certain that General Bacon's
command is still on earth and in fighting
trim. 1t is now believed that the SOL
diers are entrenched and in position
TO hold out until reinforcements reach
them. Lieutenant Colonel Harbach of
the Third infantry reached here late
yesterday afternoon and Immediately
started for Bear island. II is 80 miles
distant, and progress will necessarily
be slow.
No courier has reached here from the
island. and II is impossible TO learn the
result of yesterdays fight. A posse Of
citizens succeeded in landing on Bear
island, secured the bodies OF four of the
men killed In Wednesdays fight and
brought away nine wounded soldiers
The citizens were driven to their boats
by'Indians firing from the BUSH but no
fatalities are reported.
The condition of Bacon's men, even X
they are safe from annihilation, must be
deplorable. They are ill-supplied with
overcoats and blankets. Tents they
have none. Their food supplies were
short when they landed and they were
in no shape to stand a long siege.
Major NJ. G. Wilkinson and Mr.. Shee-
han. who are among the killed. were
well known. Major Wilkinson was
4....H yn.l
throughout that conflict and received on
its close a commission In the regular
army He had participated in severa.
Indian campaigns since the rebellion
His regiment was stationed at Fort
Smelling for II years and was dispatched
to Santiago at the opening OF the war.
but he was left at the fort on recruiting
service. He was over so years of age
and his family is at Redlands. Cal,
where he had for two years been build
ing an orange farm with a view to
spending his closing years there.
Wilkinson was shot first through the
leg. Having. had his leg dressed, he
took the field again and was shortly af-
forwards shot through the body. Lying
in a pool of blood he raised himself TO
one elbow and shouted to General
Bacon: Give them hell, general never
mind about me-" These were his last
words. Lieutenant Morrison won his
spurs. Aim straight" he shouted.
Don't get ratified boys. Those devils
can't get us. Try again." he said laugh
ing as a ball knocked his hat off. The
men cheered him right In the thick Of 1t.
T. j. Sheehan was captain in the Fifth
Minnesota In the civil war and partici-
pated in the Sioux Indian massacre in
1862 when he was placed In command
of Fort Ridgeley on the frontier. There
with a force Of but 125 men he withstood
for two days the attack and siege OF over
1000 Indians. finally repulsing them and
saving the lives Of his command. For
20 years after the close of the rebellion
he was sheriff of Freeborn county Min
nesota, and lately had been United
States deputy marshal. He was about
65 years Of age and married.
There was big conference at the
agency. Lieutenant Humphrey and DR..
Hart. the agency surgeon, were invited,
with half a dozen bad characters who had
stirred up sentiment in favor of joining
the Pillagers. DR.. Hart told them that
II they went on the warpath there would
not be live Indian on Leech Lake in q
week. Lieutenant Humphrey backed
the statement. After several hours talk
the Indians decided TO be good Indians,
at least for the present. The assurance
may not be worth much.
A special train with 2l5 Of The Third
infantry from Fort Smelling. under COM
mand Of Lieutenant Colonel Harbach
Of the department or Dakota, arrived
yesterday afternoon. Another special
is expected from Brainerd with 200 or
$50 more soldiers. Inspector Tinker
expresses the opinion that with 500 sol
diers the Indians will be subdued, but
thinks there will be boodshed and
maybe lots of IL.
1t is said that the Indians from the
Mile Laos reservation have started. 600
strong, TO join the Leech Lake Indians.
and II this is the case il will require 500
additional troops to quell the dlstur-
bance.. The Indians are reported TO
be we'll armed and going north at a rapid
rate They will probably reach Leech
lake and Bear island by tomorrow at
daylight. Two hunters came i'm this
afternoon. and reported a band of Is
or 20 Indians going north, and IL is sup
posed that they are an advance guard OF
the Mile Lac Indians, or party Of their
scouts.
The inhabitants OF Walker. Lothrop
and Hachensack are terrified be-
yond measure. and are armed as far as
arms and ammunition are procurablc.
Little sleep is taken by the majority OF
the citizens.
Since the uprising OF the Bear island
Indians. the Indians at the Lsech lake
agency have been quiet. but word has
arrived from the agency that the In
dams have broken out and the au-
thorities have no control over them. anG
fear there viii be more boodshed.
Fire I'm rubbish i'm the house at No.
zoe Point street was the cause OF the
alarm sent out from box lS5 at the COR
ner OF Point and Plain streets about .
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