The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-10-17
INDIAN DEPREDATIONS.
Story of the PuTsuit-Hardships Encoui
tered by the Troops.


tered by the Troops.
Especial to Chicago Times.l
CAMP ON THE RUNNING WATER, Neb.,
Oct. 10, via CAMP ROBINSON, Neb., Oct. IL.
The ThOrnburgh expedition reached here
at 10 a. m. to-day. We are 40 miles north
east of Camp Sheridan. The expedition
will probably be disbanded, it having thus
far resulted in utter failure. The eXpedi-
ton has been most remarkable one. The
march has been through a country which is
a geographical blank, and desert untenant-
ed by scarcely living thing. The wagon
trains were abandoned at the Platte River
on Saturday morning, two Of them being
stuck in the quIcksand. The men took two
days. rations on their saddles and started at
O'Clock a. m. on that day northward to-
ward White Tail Greek, where the scouts
reported the SaVages encamped. 4 fog so
dense that it obscured objects 20 yards
away bewildered the scouts, and, before
they struck the trail, eight miles away, 20
miles had been trayersed i'll ObjectleSs de-
tours, and the savages had escaped. Their
camp-fres were smOldering and their trail
was still fresh. The column pushed on with
scouts supposed to know all about the cOun
try, but they proved their utter ignorance
by leading the column through an inaccess-
ible country and losing the trail. The track
of the savages was finally discovered by
members of Thornburg's staff, and the cav
airy moved On at the highest possible speed.
Saturday night we made dry camp under
meath the hills, where II semj-circle of rifle
pits had been dug in the sand. We pressed
the saVages SO closely that 90 ponies had
been abandoned, and near the rifle-pits
there were some with packs on their backs,
All wet with perspiration. During
the night the Indians were heard
around the camp, but the scouts were not
able to strike them. The command was in
the saddle before daybreak, following the
trail, which led toward the south. Seventy
five miles had been traversedwithOuta drop
of water. The day was hot and dusty, and
the men and animals suffered frightfuliy. A
private of Company II Of the 4th Infantry,
by the failing OF his horse, was
left on the road to wait for Mauck's COM
mand, which was following 30 miles in our
rear Two hours after the column passed
out of sight be was attacked by several In
dians. He took refuge in the rifie-pits, and
stood them off several hours. The Indians,
circulating around him, poured hot fire
upon him, and, although some of their bull
lets cut his clothing, he escaped unhGrt,
Mauck's command appearing in sight
just after the Indians succeeded in
shooting the trigger off his gun. We
reached a small creek near the North Platte
River on Sunday noon. The men were al
most unable to articulate from the effects of
this their torturing thirst. The wagon
train, left in the rear, was attacked by fifteen
Indians. The guard repealed the assault I'M
til relieved by the arrival of Mauck. All the j
scouts who had been engaged deserted the
expedition, and Col. Thonburg could only
push on in northern direction in hopes of
striking the trail. Camp was made Sunday
night at the head of Blue Water, 80 miles
north of the river. Rations for the men and
forage for the horses gave out on Sunday, |
md the men were compelled to breakfast on
fresh beef which the Times correspondent
shot the night before. On Monday, Oct. I, |
We marched 40 miles and struck |
he great sand hills of Nebraska. The sand |
vas knee deep to the horses and was carri- /
ID by the wind in binding clouds. Cease
ess currents of wind piled it up in mon
trous castles or whirled it up into drifts
ike snow. The column marched 40 miles /
without water and with no food save little
Iard tack and raw bacon. just as the sun
vas going down our glasses revealed a lake
n the distances. We reached il ut O'clock
,ut found it to be bitterly alkaline. Tues
lay we struck Cartoons trail, and followed
t, abandoning all hopes of intercepting the
Indians. The best horses in the command
we're seEt forward bearing couriers to ask
Cartoons assistance. We marched 40 miles
nd passed en- route a dry camp made by
cartoons men. Horses and men dropping
nut OF Cartons column from exhaustion
anne struggling into our camp near
n alkali lake at all hours during the
light. Wednesday morning the probability
hat the whole command would perish in
he sand was generally discussed. New
curriers' were sent forward, and every effort
made by the commanding officer to relieve
be increasing distress of the troops. He
ucceeded at 3 O'Clock in communicating
nth Carlton, and an hour later we camped
n the hoadwaters OF the Snake River, where
'arlton's relief met us. The horses were so
hin that The men almost pulled them over
I attempting to mount
The expedition is complete failure so
n as the capture of the rem
gade Cheyennes is concerned. 1t
siled because lily fitted out,
Dmething for which Thornburg can not be :
ED responsible. Another cause of the
allure was the unreliable character of the
sOuts furnished the expedition. The de-
artment of the Platte was oHtgeneralled ,
he sayages bsffled the troops at every !
ONT and led them into the sand hills, from
hich they might never have emerged.
Adyices from Sheridan by a courier lust .
rived state that no apprehension is felt of
ouble with the Sioux. Spotted Tail has
mt in word that he would arrest and de-
yer the Cheyenne fugitives Il they came
ITO his camp. We can not ascertain the {
lact cause OF the trouble with the Sioux.
Ut understand il TO be merely tlemOn-
ration by few hundred bucks to secure J
lie fulfllment Of the treaty.