The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-06
SOLDIERS FIGHT RED SKINS.
Continued from First Page.

Bliss who, as head of the interior depart
ment, has charge OF Indian affairs, and
a third to Attorney General Griggs, from
one of the United States marshals at the
seat of the uprising.
The first dispatch to Secretary Bliss
was as follows:
Walker, Mimi, Oct. 5.-Secretary of the
Interior, Washington: The Indians, TWEEN
ty-five miles from here on the mainland
of North Bear Island opened fire on the
troops under command Of Gen. Bacon
without warning, this morning at 11:SO.
fear the army in the field is not strong
enough to subdue the Bear Island Indians
How many are hurt on their side cannot
now be told. A large force should be sent
here at once. II is now war, and the gov
eminent must protect the people, have
a slight scratch on right arm and left leg
Please wire me instructions
Thinker, Inspector"
A second dispatch from Inspector Tin
ker followed soon after, as follows:
Secretary of the Interior: Trouble was
caused by Indians firing on the troops
first; situationl as had as can be; feeling
to the end. More troops are needed at
once. They cannot get here too quickly
Tinker"
Immediately on receipt of these dis
patches Secretary Bliss went to the resi-
dence of Secretary Alger, and had a
talk with the head of the war department
as to the military steps which should be
taken. While they were together a report
er of the Associated Press handed them
the press dispatch, giving them more ex-
tensive details of the sangufnary engage
ment The two secretaries agreed that the
situation had reached a stage where en-
ergetic steps We're needed. Turning TO his
military aide, Maj Hopkins, Secretary AL
ger said:
Take those dispatches to Adjt. Gen
Corbin and tell him 20 have ample rein
forcements sent Immediately If need be.
have special train secured and the re-
Inducements sent forward without delay.
II Il seems desirable to send along a Cat
ling gun, let that be done also"
Maj. Hopkins went 10 the war depart
ment and delivered the message to the
adjutant general The latter in the mean
time had received from the attorney gen
eral dispatch received from the United
States marshal as follows:
Have more troops sent here immedi
ately. Battle begun at Bear Island. Look
for general uprising Of Indians. Gen. Ba-
con in the field. O'Connor. marshal"
The war department had received no
dispatches from Gen. Bacon or any of
the military authorities in the department
where the uprising had occurred
Gen. Corbin was inclined, to believe that
the press reports were magnified.
Indian Commissioner Jones' up to a late
hour tonight had not received any adj
vices from Indian Agent Sullivan, in
charge of the White Earth agency. where
the uprising occurred. Mr.. Jones had rot
apprehended serious trouble as all recent
official reports from White Earth had min
imized the difficulties and had rather dis
counted the apprehension expressed in
press advices. Word came yesterday that
the Indians were about to hold a big coun-
Gil on the banks of Bear Lake. but said
a raging storm prevented the Indians on
one side of the lake getting across to the
council grounds, SO the meeting was put
off until to-day. Ii was hoped this coun-
Gil would bring satisfactory adjustment
Of the trouble.
This particular band of Indians is most
peaceaby disposed as a rule" said Dr.
Jones, land there has been nothing in
the nature of serious trouble with them
since back in the sixties. They are part
of the Chippewa tribe and are widely scat
tered in small bands, this band being
known as the Pillagers. They are well ad-
vanced in civilization. but of late they
have had grievance, and this has led up
to the present outbreak. hardly think
the trouble can be Of any duration, or can
assume serious magnitude, for this band
Is numerically small, and, except in this
case, its record for order is good"