William Hascal Brill, also known as William H. Brill, Will H. Brill, and W. H. Brill, (April 16, 1871 in Litchfield, Minnesota – November 30, 1923 in Saint Paul, Minnesota)[1] was an American journalist who at various times worked for the Associated Press, Reuters,[2] and the Newspaper Enterprise Association.[3]
His journalism career began as a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in which role he reported on the Battle of Leech Lake; Gerald Vizenor has attributed to Brill the idea that the battle began "with the accidental discharge of a soldier's rifle".[4]
In February 1904, Brill traveled to Japan to report on the Russo-Japanese War as a war correspondent.[3] He accompanied the Second Japanese Army in Manchuria throughout the entire conflict.[1]
In 1907, the Emperor Meiji awarded Brill the Order of the Precious Crown, seventh class, for his activities during the Russo-Japanese War.[2]
Excerpts of Brill's war coverage are included the compilation In Many Wars, by Many War Correspondents, edited by Frederick Palmer and George Lynch.[5]