Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-10-10
ANOTHER INDIAN WAR.
Desperate Fight with Ute Indians.

OMAHA, Neb. Oct. l.
The following dispatch was received at an
early hour this morning, and the terrible
news received will carry throb Of sorrow to
every part of the West:
MILK RIVER, VIA CHEYENNE, Oct. l.
Thornburg's command was attacked in Bad
Canon at noon Tuesday, one mile south from
here, on our march to the agency. We re-
treated in good order to the wagon train.
Thornburg was killed instantly during the
retreat. Captain Payne was wounded in
two places slightly. Lieutenant Pad
dock and Captain Grimes were pain
fully wounded. Ten enlisted soldiers
and Wagonmaster McKinstry were killed.
At least TWENTY-FIVE soldiers and teamsters
we're wounded. The command is now very
well sheltered, but now and then are heard
the guns of new hostiles who have lust ar
rived. The red devils fired the grass all
around us to burn us out. Every man is busy
digging trenches and hauling out dead ami
mails for defense. Mr.. Gordon, whose freight
outfit of Indian supplies was near by us when
the fight commenced, has been burned by the
fire; also the Company wagons o. Company
f, Fifth Cavalry. Captain Payne had his
horse killed and Lieutenant Cherry's was also
shot during the retreat. Captain Lenwood
and Lieutenant Cherry are unhurt, though
men were shot all around them. About
three-fourths of our horses and mules are
killed.
A wrong inference may be drawn from the
given, and hence l feelit necessary to explain
what led to this fatal affair. The Utes are to
mountain Indians what the Cheyennes are to
the crafty and willy plain Indians; they are
feared by all other tribes, who can i'll combat
with them in their own homes. The country
which they inhabit is very rugged and mount
ainous and heavily timbered, and Just the
place for ambuscades. Old Indian fighters
are united in saying that the Utes are willy,
hard fighters, and ferocious, the best in plan
ming ambuscades.
They are at the same time treacherous to
the greatest degree, and though Major Thorn
burg expected they would remain peaceable
1t is reported that he was, nevertheless most
vigilant and cautious. There is nothing to
lead TO the inference that he was otherwise
than brave and intrepid, yet was caution itself,
and never impetuous. His training in the
service amid scenes calculated to school him
to become a cautious leader and good Judge In
such matters have commanded his attention
and fitted him for just this sort of work. AS
Paymaster and traveller he has been in varied
scenes tending to nerve him and keep him
wei. balanced, winning for himself high
reputation as scout and Indian fighter;
therefore the only inference that can be drawn
is that Thornburg did not blunder, but fell
into one of the most carefully laid ambuscades
and could not extricate the brave fellows he
had with him.
The courageous act of the courier who
brought the news deserves honorable mention,
JOT undtf Jne cover OF QAFkueSS III
may be difficult task to cut OFF from the
lines, yet on such nights as these, with
bright moon shining out, the deed is attend
ed with greater hazard. The military author
tiles are unanimous in the belief that the
worst has now been told, for Lieutenant
Payne, strongly intrenched near the water,
well provisioned, will further fortify himself
by throwing up earth-works, which, with the
wagon train, will enable him to hold his own
till reintorcements appear which viii be soon.
The courier brought the news direct to
Rawlins, and by three O'Clock intelligence had
been flashed to Fort Omaha.
RAwLNs, wy. T., Oct. l.
The following particulars are obtained from
the courier who brought the dispatches from
Captain Payne after the fight: "Major Thorn
burg's expedition against the hostile Ute In
dians, when within seventy miles of the agen-
cy halted for the night OF the Goth ult., and
the Major sent GTaften Lowry, one of his
scouts, to the agency to communicate with
Agent Meeker, and see how matters stood. He
found the utmost excitement and confusion
prevailing. The Indians had sent all their old
men, women and children south toward the
Blue River, and the warriors were decorated
and painted in the usual style. They were
about to murder Mr.. Meeker, but Mr.
Lowry prevailed on them not to commit
the deed. Mr.. Meeker told Lowry he at
tempted TO leave the agency with his family,
but was prevented by the Indians; that the
Indians signifed their readiness for war and
seemed anxious for the approach of the
troops. They then made another move to
kill Meeker and fire the buildings. but we're
a second time prevailed upon to desist. Lowry
now attempted to return TO the command, but
was informed that he must remain, but after
giving them number of assurances of his
peaceable mission he was allowed TO DEPART
but was accompanied by about thirty warriors
who rode with him anumber of miles and then
left. Lowry arrived at the command when
near Milk Creek ON the evening of the 2Sth,
and gave Major rhOrnburg the above informa-
ton. The next morning, September Goth,
the command advanced under guidance Of
Joe Rankin, who is well acquainted with the
country. About nine o'clock a. m. Rankin
discovered fresh Indian signs, aud having ar
rived at the canon through which the road
passed and which would afford an excellent
opportunity for ambush, he led the command
around over the hill over an old trail well
known to him. BY this movement he saved
the lives Of the command, for on arriving on
top of the hill he discovered the Indians In
ambush on either side of the canon through
which the road passed. Thornburg formed
his men In line and waited the attack He
was repeatedly urged TO fire on the Indians
but persistently refused TO do so, saving
his orders would not justify attack.
Two Indians now rode up to within 100
yards, dismounted, and with q savage yen