The Portland daily press., 1898-11-02

Indians HunDIed ana bauiy Whip-
ped Band.
Washington, November 1.-General
Bacon, who commanded the United
States forces at the recent Indian battle
at Leech Lake, Mimi, 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 Bacon rites:
"At nine O'Clock a. M, we reached
Sugar Point, IS miles east of Walker.
located on a neck of land extending about
five miles into the lake, averaging about
two miles in width and almost two miles
north of Bear island. At this point a
landing, difficult by reason of high seas,
and natural instructions, was effected
and two Indians TOR whom warrants ex-
listed, were arrested by the marshaIs.
After searching the vicinity of the
point, left Lieut. Ross and twenty men
to guard the landing and boats and pro-
oeeded with Captain Wilkinson the re,
mainder of the detachment and the
civilians and searched the country back
for three miles. Occasio nally we saw at a
distance few bucks, who disappeared at
cur approach. The women and children
seemed nervous and gradually concealed
themselves. AT IL. 30 the entire party had
reassombled at the landing, about which
Lieut. Ross had thrown out pickets. The
detachment had received orders to stack
arms, 0hen one of our rifles was accident
ally discharged. Instantly the Indians
fired q yolley into the ranks of the detach-
ment from the surrounding woods ana
underbrush and chargei to the edge OF
same, keeping up a rapid continuous ire.
My detachment was composed Of IS abso-
lutely raw recruits and IL old soldiers.
When the attack was made, the men were
in line near log hut. They were for
moment confused by the first Indian vol
ley aud the demoniac yelling and broke
ranks and attempted to conceal them
selves behind the hut. But they recovered
almost instantly and under the personal
direction of the three officers present
for,ted "a steady skirmish line and in
their turn charged ana drove the Indians
back through the thick brush as far as it
was penetratla l then formed my de-
ployed lines on two sides of square each
side skirting the timber whence the at
tack came and protecting the log hut,
wherein were placed the wounded. The
Indians continued their tactics OF crawl
ing up, concealed by the underhrush, and
q lacking until ark, the attacks growing
less and less vigorous
Captain and Bravet Major NJ. G,
Wilkinson, third infantry was killed very
soon after the first repulSe OF the attack
whilst steadying and gallantly leading
the portion OF the line assigned to him.
had observed his GOODNESS and COURAGE up
to the moment of his falling and feel sure
that, hats he survived, his actions would
have merited the highest consideration
from the war department.
Il cannot too strongly express my ad-
miration for the intrepidity, absolute
GOODNESS al d good judgment displayed by
Second Lieutenant -Ienney Ross, third
infantry, commanding the left half of the
line, and beg to recommend that he be
breyeted for conspicuous bravery.
81 also take great pleasure in calling
attention to the courageous con duct and
efficient professional services rendered by
A Acting Assistant Surgeon Herbert j.
Harris, U. S. A.
Upon tbe death of Captain Wilkinson,
first sergeant homas Kelley Co. e, third
infantry, was assigned to command the
skirmishers on the right of the line. He
example in leading and directing his
men, that l most earnestly recommend
that he be awarded a medal of hoDor. l
would fail in my duty should I neglect to
relate this part taken by Private Oscar
Burkhardt, hospital corps, q. S. A.
Scarcely man fell who was not Instant
~ attended to and received Intelligent aid
from Private Burkhardt He Is most de-
serving of the medal OF honor, for which
he is hea tily recommended"
General Bacon then reviews the subse-
quent events, ending with the surrender
OF all save two of the Indians wanted and
closes as follows:
From all obtainable information these
Chippewa Indians have long entertained
complaints of the disposition of timber
on their reservation. They also claimed
to have experienced much suffering by
reason Of promiscuous arrests among
them by u. s. deputy marshals 1t is b.
1ieved that they have been for more than
a year preparing to resist the United
States authorities, accommodating ammu-
milton, dancing and getting ready after
their own fashion for war, ana when my
detachment of ~ soldiers reached their al
most inaccessible homes. they made their
one desperate effort They were badly
whipped and driven from their chosen
battle-ground and now declare that they
want no more lighting with the United
States soldiers. They were found arrogant
and boastful; they ara now Inundated
and begging for peace, and | believe with
the com missioner that they are honest in
that statement. Owing to the densely
wooded nature of the country, the losses
sustained by the Indians have not been
accurately aseertained.
Hundreds of lives saved every year by