The Topeka state journal., 1898-10-07
THE MILLS-ADAMS co.
FELL IN BATTLE.


TELL IN DA IIEs
Continued from First Page)
er Indians saw six bucks armed with
Winchesters come out of the house and
go away inland. They did not speak to
me although was their agent for five
years and 1 feared trouble and called
to the II soldiers who were scattered
along the shore. About that time Gen.
Bacon returned with the troops. Half
of the men had stacked arms and the
order was given to unload their equip
ments. AS they did so a shot was fired
and firing almost Immediately became
general. The soldiers formed in line in
a 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 favorable po-
sition. One of these men was shot in
the face, one in the arm and third in
the leg. I do not know how the other
men were wounded After out first
rush we had the best of the position.
The log house was inside our lines and
it was used as a hospital and the men
sought the cover of logs and trees and
settled down for a long fight. 1t con-
tinued during the day and evening and
was renewed in the morning although
1t was never so hot as during the first
hour or so. Yesterday morning a boat
made landing with some provisions
and Gen. Bacon wanted to send the
wounded back. He sent me down to ar
range matters and I went out to the
down one wounded man and the cap
tain of the boat brought him off shore
but before the others could be moved
the Indians opened a. hot fire on the
boat and we had to leave. About six
miles out we met the Flora going in
with 80 or more armed men and every
thing the soldiers needed. When I left
there had been five killed and eight
wounded, besides the Indian policeman.
Three men were sick. don't know the
names of any Of the killed or wounded
except Major Wilkinson.
BaCOn's Good Work.
"Gen. Bacon handled the men magnif-
1centIy and was on the firing line dur
ing the whole of the engagement en-
couraging his men and directing the
operations. He was ably seconded by
Major Wilkinson until he was killed
and Lieut.. Ross, under fire for the first
time, showed himself born fighter. He
rallied the men at the opening VOlley
and stayed right with them all the time
It is impossible to tell how many In
dams are in the attacking party but I
should say not less than $50 or 200 and
we don't know how many more are
joining them. They evidently had the
to begin firing at the signal. They con-
centrated part of their fire on the boats
to drive them away and leave the SOL
dierS no means of retreat, evidently
thinking they could OVerpOWer the
whole force. The newspaper men, Brill,
Beaton and Knappen were all in good
duty on the line. No one of them had
been injured"
Several of the small boats and the
steamer Flora went out during the
night and early in the morning to en-
deavor to land provisions for General
BacOn's beIeaguered command and
bring away the dead and wounded. The
Flora had 80 Brainerd fighters and a
few other armed citizens. The Vera
alone succeeded in effecting the purpose
of the trip. Harris McCabe, with the
Vera, made a landing off the north end
of Bear Island where the troops are en-
trenched, landing sufficient quantity Of
provisions to relieve immediate neceS-
stiles of the men. An attempt was made
to bring down some of the wounded.
The steamer could not approach close
to the shore and it was necessary to
use a small boat. One man was brought
across the open but the Indians con-
the boat. The place was too hot and
McCabe was forced to leave.
Death of Major Wilkinson.
During the engagement Col. Sheehan
received a. slight flesh wound across the
abdomen, a bullet through coat and
sleeve and another through his trousers
leg.
Major Wilkinson was killed Wednes-
day afternoon. He received a flesh
wound in the leg and retired to have
it dressed by DR.. Harris, the surgeon.
He then reported to Gen. Bacon on the
firing line as ready for duty and while
talking with Gen. Bacon, an Indian
sharp-shooter picked him cut. Major
Wilkinson was shot through the body
from side to side and died almost in
Stantly.
The agency Indians have been dis
posed to be peaceful, but Wednesday
night one of the Indian police was killed
by the troops by mistake and the Indi-
ans are now disposed to be hostile The
occurrence was most unfortunate, but
it is hard to see how any blame can
attach to the troops. The Indian pO-
liceman, Ruslin, who was said to be one
of the best of the agency Indians, had
accompanied the troops and had fought
valiantly, but towards night he thought
he had had enough of it and started
with another Indian policeman for the
agency along the shore without notify
ing General Bacon. He was seen in the
darkness by the troops and taken for
hostile. He was riddled with bullets
but his companion escaped uninjured
This incident has made the agency In
dams very angry and a council is said
to be in progress.
300 Indians at Deer River.
St. Paul, Oct. IA Duluth, Mimi,
special to the Pioneer Press says:
At 1870 this morning the police de-