The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-16


as possible, taking to the Notifications quick
ly when the attack redoubled its fury. Had
the heights been accessible, Captain Dodge
would have charged them with his company
while we covered him from our rifle pits, but
this being utterly impossible, the ascent be-
ingnearly perpendicular all we could do DUR
ing the day was to keep good lookout from
the loop and return the fire when any
Indian showed his head. This, however,
was very rare occurrence, as the India ms
have ride.pits and loop-holes. Before dark
every horse but three Of Captain Dodge's
command was shot down. A very fortunate
thing for us has been that the Indians have
left us unmolested at night, with the excep-
tion of an occasional shot to make us scatter
to our pits. We have been able, at great
risk, to haul Oft our dead animals every night,
otherwise the stencil would be intolerab1e.-
A sally is made every night for water, dis
lance of two hundred yards from our en-
trenchments. Night before last Private Err
ser, Of Company F. was shot in the face while
out with party after water. The Indians
we're only few yards away. and were div
en- off by volley from the guard and trench
eS.
THE FIRST BATTLE.
In regard to Major Thornburgh's flight he
says: The field of battle was admirably cho-
sen for defence by the Indians, and had it
not been for Major Thornburgh's advance
guard, commanded by Lieut.. Cherry, discov-
ering the ambuscade the entire command
would have been annihilated. He saw small
party OF Indians disappear over hill half
mile in front, and at once divided his party
to reconnoitre, and only discovered them
when he had flanked their position by about
two hundred yards. Cherry rode back at
full speed with two or three men who were
with him, and notified Major Thornburgh,
who had already begun the descent into the
deep ravine which was intended to enguf
the command. The Indians were dis
mounted and lying down along the crest of
a high, steep ridge or hundred yards from
the point where the deadly assault would
have commenced. The troops were with
drawn short distance, dismounted and dis
played in line OF battle, with orders to await
the attack of the Indians. Lieut.. Cherry
was here ordered by Thornbugh to take
detachment of fifteen picked men and make
reconnaissance and communicate, If possible,
with the Indians. Cherry moved out at
gallop with his men from the right flank,
and noticed like movement Of about twen-
ty Indians from the left of the Indian posi-
ton. He approached to within couple
hundred yards of the Indians, and took off
his hat and waved it.; but the response was
shot fired at him, wounding man OF his
party and killing his horse. This was the
first shot, and was instantly followed by
vo.ley from the Indians. Cherry could see
that the Indians were trying to cut him off
from the wagons, and at once sent word to
Major Thornbugh, who then withdrew the
line slowly, keeping the Indians in check
until opposite the point which his men held,
when, seeing that the Indians We're concen-
trating to cut off his retreat, Captain Payne,
with Company F, Fifth Cavalry. was or
dered to charge the hill, which they did in
gallant style. The company was rallied on
the wagon train. Major Thornburgh then
gave orders to Cherry to hold his position
and cover Captain Lawson retreat, who was
| ordered to fall back slowly with the horses
OF his company. Cherry called for volun-
teers of twenty men, who responded prompt
Iyr xxiE1,
| brought every wounded man in with him.
| Captain Lawson, the brave old veteran, dis
played the greatest GOODNESS and courage
during this retreat. Major Thornburgh
started back to the wagon train, after giving
his final orders to Captain Payne to charge
the hill. In the meantime CALLING fire was
concentrated upon the command. Not an
Indian could be seen; but the incessant
cracks of their Sharp and Winchester rifles
dealt fearful destruction among horses and
men. The groans OF the dying and the
agonizing cries of the wounded told what
fearful havoc was being made among the de-
| termined and desperate command. The
Indians, at the beginning OF the fight, had
set fire to the dry grass and to the sage
brush. and it now came sweeping down to-
wards US. Some of the wagons were set on
fire, and no water could be obtained; but
! the fire passed, and we still hold our posi-
ton. Meantime a constant volley was
poured upon us, Captain Payne being
wounded for the second time, and First Ser.
geant Dolan, of Company F, killed instant
ly, McKinsley and Mckee killed, and many
others wounded. Just about shutdown a
charge was attempted, but repulsed. The
attack ceased at dark, and soon every man
was at work charging trenches and hauling
out the dead horses.
The mail courier says in response to why
General Merritt had not sent courier, that
he thought probably he had sent one, and
he was picked up by the Indians. After the
fight with Merritt, the Indians stole back a!
the crossing Of Snake river yesterday morn
ing.
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
The names OF the killed and wounded are
as follows:
Killed-M Major Thornburgh, Fourth 1nfan,
try; First Sergeant John Dolan, Company
F. Fifth Cavalry; Private John Burns, Com
pany F. Fifth Cavalry; Samuel Mckee
Company F, Fifth Cavalry; Thomas Mooney
Company D. Fifth Cavalry; Michael Lynch
Company D, Fifth Cavalry; Charles Wright
Company D, Fifth Cavalry; Dominick Cuff
Company E, Third Cavalry; Wagon -maste
McInstrey and Teamster Mcclure.
Wounded-CaptainP Payne, Fifth Cavalry
flesh wound IN arm and side; Lieutenan
Paddock, Fifth Cavalry, flesh wound in hip
DR.. Grimes, flesh wound in shoulder. Com
pany T, Fifth Cavalry-Sergeant John Nor
rill Trumpeters Fred. Sutcliffe and Johl
Mcdonald; Privates James 7. Gibbs, Johr
Hoaxby, Emil Kursman, Eugene Patterson
Frank Simmons, Eugene Shickedauz, VIM
Essie, Gotlieb Steiger. Company D. Fiftl
Cavalry-Privates Nicholas Heeney, Thorn
as Lynch, Fred. Bernhard, r. Muller. Com
pany E, Third Cavalry-sergeant jaime
Montgomery Sergeant Allen Tupton; Cor
porals C. F. Eichfulzed and Frank Hunter
Privates James Conway, John Crowley, W
| TT