The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-07
BAC0N'S
WARRIORS
Meager Reports From the
Battle of Leech Lake.
FORCE NOT ANNIHILATED.
Indications That the Little Band
.I.-.---..s. Is Still Fighting.
RUSHING THE REINFORCEMENTS.

Both Troops and Indians Hurrying to the
Front-Three Hundred Reds From tho
Mile Laos Reservation Said to Be March
ing to the Aid of the Leech Lake Muir
derers-Men Who Have Won Glory For
the Flag in the Battle Against Su.
perior Force.
Washington, Oct. Up to midnight
there had been no information received
by the department officials from Cen
eral Bacon. During the evening, how
ever the department received from Ad-
jutant General Sturgis, now at st.
Paul. the following telegram giving a
summary of conditions as far as that
officer was able to obtain them:
I'm answer to a telegram to the
United States marshal at Walker,
Minn., have received a reply giving
the location of General Bacon on the
mainland. at the southwest corner Of
Leech lake. and saying: Commenced
fighting at 1880 yesterday. The In
dians seem to have the best position.
Not moving. Major Wilkinson, five
soldiers and two Indian police killed;
awaiting reinforcements.'
press dispatches and private West
esn Union dispatches seem to support
these statements about the killed. Re-
Inducements doubtless reached the
cummand this evening. Reliable in
formation indicates that the Indians
are quiet in vicinity of Engineer Dams,
to the northeast There has been no re-
port yet from General Bacon. There is
only one officer, Captain Gerlach, for
duty at Fort Smelling, and $50 men. We
spprehcnd no need Of further reinforce
ments, unless to send to the vicinity
of Leech lake dam to cut off the escape
of the Indians. ! would suggest that
authority be given to utilize one bat
TALON of the Minnesota volunteers in
case of need. Reports have just been
received of the arrival Of Colonel IIor-
bachs command at Walker, about 4
o'clock"
The request to use a battalion of the
Minnesota volunteers was promptly
granted and the department COM
mander can have his pick from either
the Twelfth or Fourteenth state regi-
ments. One Is at New Ulm and the
other at st. Paul, awaiting their mus
Ter out. General Curbin feels that there
will not be any necessity to use the men
Of these regiments. however. as the reg
uiars will be sufficient for all purposes.
During the evening Secretary Bliss
received the following telegram from
Inspector Tinker, at Walker, which in
Hicates that reinforcements have reach
ed Walker, which is 30 miles or less
from the scene of the fighting:
"Two hundred and fifteen officers and
men have just arrived with one Gatling
gun. Have heard nothing from the
battle-ground since morning. Two boats
left to go to General -Bacons assistance
and have not returned. Will wire full
particulars later"
The secretary feels gratifed at the
concilIatory attitude of the Indians sur
sDandlng the Pillagers. In this connec-
tinn he last night made public the fol-
lowing telegram from Chief Land EX-
amner W. E. sellye now at Duluth:
"Have just come from the field near
Cass lake and Wnnebag0Ghish lake.
The Indians are all quiet there. Shall
return to the field today. DO not an
ficipate any trouble outside of the Pill
t8gers There has been some shooting
between them and the soldiers All
other Indians will keep hands off, be-
lieve."
The following telegram was received
by President Mckinley Wednesday
evening signed by the editors Of the
Minneapolis newspapers:
"Advices from conservative sources
lead us to believe that a force of not
less than 800 soldiers. preferably 500.
should be at once available at Lecch
Lake and vicinity. We believe such
q force needed, not only to rescue Gen
eral Bacon and the survivors Of his
command. but properly to oversSe the
agency Indians, in whose professions
Of friendship and neutrality no one ac-
Quainted with them puts credenre. A
general outbreak at or around Walker
would probably result in the massacre
Of many citizens. In country as
heavily wooded the present force Is, in
our Judgment. wholly inadequate. The
gravity of the situation is not over
estimated in the above suggestions"
The above telegram YVES the subject
of conference at the White House
last evening between the president,
Secretary AIger and Adjutant General
COrbin. 1t resulted in the president
giving instructions that ample rein
forcements be sent General Bacon at |
once. 1t Is understood that orders in
accordance with these instructions
were sent to st. Paul last night.
THE 'rRE At,JEI pny-S prnSIJNs
Evidence That Thcy Contemplated a |
General Massacre.
Walker Mimi, Oct. Indian Agent |