The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-10-09
INDIAN MASSACRE.
The Ute Indians Of the White River Agency
On tho War Path.


Major Thornburgh's command was at
tackled in Bad Canon, at noon, October
1st one mile or go from Milk nvcr, Colo
RADIO, on his march to the White River
agency. He ,etreated in good order to
the wagon train, where he entrenched as
fast as possible. Thornburgh was killed
instantly during the retreat. Captain
Payne was wounded in two places slight
ly. Lieut.. Paddock and Capt. Grimes
were also painfully but not dangerously
wounded. Ten enlisted men and wagon
master McKlnstry were killed and at
least twenty-five men and teamsters were
wounded. The red devils fred the
grass around the troops to burn them
out.
Mrs. Gordon, whose freight outfit of In
dian supplies was near when the fight
commenced, has been burned by the fire.
Also the company wagons of company F,
Fifth cavalry. Capt. Payne had his
horse killed, and Lieut.. Cher1ys was also
shot during the retreat. Capt. Lenwood
and Lieut.. Cherry are unhurt, though
men were killed all around them. About
three-fourths of the horses and mules
were killed.
Al wrong inferences may be drawn
respecting the management Of the CAM
paign against the Ute Indians, the follow
ing explanation is given: The Utes are
to the mountain Indians what the Chey-
ennes are to the crafty and willy plain
Indians. They are feared by all other
tribes who can ill combat with them in
their own homes. The country which
they inhabit il very rugged and noun
famous, and heavily timbered and just
the place for ambuscades. Old Indian
fighters are united in saying that the Utes
are willy, hard fighting and terocious,
and the best at planning ambuscades.
They are at the same time treacherous
to the greatest degree, and though
Major Thornburgh expected they would
remain peaceable, it is reported that
he was nevertheless most vig1lant and
cautious. There is nothing to lead to
the inference that he was otherwise than
brave and intrepid, yet was caution it.
self and never impetuous. His early
training in the service, amidst scenes cal
culated to school him to become eau
tious soldier and good Judge in such
matters, have commanded his attention
and fitted him for just this sort of work.
As psymaster and traveller he has been
in varied scenes tending to nerve him and
keep him we'll balanced, and winning
for himself reputation as scout and In
dian fighter. Therefore, the only infer
ence that can be drawn is, that Thorn
burg did not blunder. but fell into one of
the most
CAREFULLY LAID AABUscADEB
and could not exhicate the brave fellows
be had with him. The courageous act Of
the courier who brought the news deserves
honorable mention, for though, under the
cover Of darkness, it may be difficult
task to cut of from the lines, yet on such
= night a. this, with bright moon shin
ing out, the deed is attended with great
hazard.
ACTIVITY N FORWARDING REINFORCE
MINTs.
The courier took the news direct to
Rawllns and by 8 o'clock the intelligence
had been flashed to Fort Omaha. Gen.
Williams in less than a quarter Of an
hour was at work giving orders and con-
sulting Gen Crook, who IL in Chicago,
and = ordering matters forward. Gen.
Merritt at Fort D. A. Russell, Cheyenne
was telegraphed to and ordered to the
command OF the expedition. The mes.
sage was carried by the operator, who re'
ceived it at the latter place, to the gen
eeal at his headquarters on horse back at
bseak-Asck speed. Gen. Merritt at ooce
began preparing for the expedition. Tho
same was true Of arrangements at Camp
Douelas, Salt Lake, and no time waa
Loot, but everything perfected st abort
notice.
At Forts NcPherson and Sanders this
activity was duplicated. The Union Pa-
cidc railway worked in hazuouy with
the military