New-York tribune., 1879-10-02
Az A,tn1,scAnE Ar CANON.
IHr TROOPS ovfRwUELNfD BY a MUCH aVPtHio'
FORCE - INIRrNcnMENTs HASTILY MADE -

ropcr - rV1rrNCnMrNTs HASTILY MADE -
AuE TO HoiD OUT FOR FIVE DAYS.
CurYrNNF. Wv. L., Oct1.-Major Thornhurgh'
with three companies OF cavalry, escortns VIZ"
train Of Indian supplies from RaWlins 2" the ""''V
p,ver AGENCY i'm Northwestern Colorado. was at
tackled by the Utcs on MILK River, eighteen mics
north Of the agency on Monday. The command
WIS pas.inV through bad caion at noon' one
mil, south Of Mix River. It's march 10 the
orercv Ii rctrea.cd i'm good order to the WAGON
train. and began TO ontrench rs fast as possi'e'
Major Ihornbuieh was killed instantly during tHe
retreat CAPTAIN Payne was wounded ih Two
1iac,s slightly. Lieutenant Paddock aud captain
Grimes were also painfully but not daI - fousN
wounded Ten enlisted men and Nagon-mastcr NC
Kinstry were killed, and at least twenty-h'e me"
and toamstcrs were wounded. The horses oi Gap
tain Payne and Lieutenant Cherry were Killed.
The command was soon very well sheltered, hut
NOW and then were heard the guns Of new hos'les
who had lust arrived, and the command soon ap-
reared To be- surrounded The Indians set fire to the
Grass IN order to burn ihe troops out. Mr. Gordohs
freight outfit OF Indian supplies. which was near
the soldiers when The fight began, was burned py
the fire as also the company wagons OF Company
I. 5th Cavalry. About tbree-fourths OF al the
horses and mules of the column were killed.
Tie latest il. ELI goncc. brought 10y "Joe" Kan
kin. tine courier. from the besieeed command ON
Monday. is rs follows: should reinforcements
reoch us in five DAYS we can hold ont very well
with our supplies and ammunition" courier
also brought this dispatch the same day c sui
hold our position. Every man is busy digging
trenches and hanng ont the dead animals for de-
fence. for tomorrow We fully expect them back al
daylight"
AN OFFICIAL REPORT
CuCAGO. ILL.,. oct. 1.-GeneTal Sheridan Is IN re-
ceipt of the following dispatch, winch mas Oeeh
forwarded from Omaha;
Muk RIVER. Col. Sept. 29-s:3o p nv
vi va hA~difs nS.drs;,"f NY or he rate.
rs co,nnard composed of three companies Of cav
rnireG Tie Indians who attacked ana drove MS 10 thu
s to 5Snaanee He ae GFs death OF Major who
fell harness tle painful o9t no. S 90 ION @
enlisted men aud IA wagon-mastcr, with the wOuhuihs oI
wsteT S9Gef 'wsb witn about enais Killed
after desperate tsnt since IL t VIC nve "a a. h.evc
We can hold out until reinforcoment- reach us II tney
are hurried. Officers and men behaved WIN IN .uc So
esi callanry also slightly wounded IN TWO laces'
e'' h' PAYNE. Commanding
TIE STORY OF THE COURIER.
P,w11xs wv Ter, Oct 1.-The following par
tcnlars are obtained from the courier VINO brought
the dispatches from Captain Payne after the hght;
Major Thornburgl's expedition against the hostile
Ites when within seventy miles OF the Agency
halted for the night (of the 26thl, and the Mayor
Agency 10 communicate with Agent Meeker
and In see how matters Stood He found the ut
most excitement and confusion prevailing. The
Indians had sent all their old men, women and
children South toward the Blue River. The war
riors we're decorated and painted in the usual war
stvle They were about to murder Mr.. Meeker, hut
MI Lowry prevailed upon them not 10 commit
the deed Mr.. Meekcr told Mr.. Lowry that ne
attempted to leave the Agency with his family. bu
-.f.. Id I'D fsaf flaatHI a
Iudlansl signifed their readiness for war
and seemed anxious for the approach Of
the troops They then made another move
to kin MIR Mecker and fire the buildings but
were induced a second time 10 desist Lowry now
attempted to return to the command, but was IN
formed he must remain. After giving them num-
her of assurances of his peaceful mission, he was
allowed to depart. but was accompanied by about
thirty warriors who rode with him number of
miles and then let him.
Lowry arrived at the camp of The command near
Mix Creek. on the evening of the 2sth. and gave
Major IhorubuTgh the above information.
The next morning September % the commend
advanced under the guidance Of Joe Ran
Kin who is well acquainted with the
colutry. About O'Clock in the morning,
Rankin discovered fresh Indian signs. Hav-
ing arrived at canon through which
the road passed. aud which would
aiord an excellent opportunity for an ambush, he
led the command around the hill, over old
trail well known 10 him. By this movement he
saved the lives of the command for, on arriving
thc TOP of the hill ne discovered the Indians in ann
lus, on etheI side OF the canon through which the
road passed.
Major Thornhurgh formed ms men in line and
awaited the coming attack. lie was repeatedly
urged to fire on the Indians. but persis,ently rc-
fused to do 50, saying that his orders would noi
Justify an attack. Two Indians now rode up to
within hundred yards. dismounted. and with
savage veil. fred. shooting Captain Payne through
The arm Al this signal the Indians gave
war-whoop. and the battle began. IhOrnburgh now
fonnd that he was surrounded lie ordered charge,
which be gallantiy led in person, and succeeded in
cutting his way out and wnen within about i've
hundred yards of his wagons, he fell dead, with
two bullets through his b ain Captain Payne now
took command, and the battle was carried on until
so'clock p. m the troops using the wagons and
animals a. breastworks. The Indians fell back
short distance aud went into camp. During the
enga cement Lowry was killed.
The casualties are about a. follows: Major Thorn
lureh, Lowry and thirteen enlisted men. The
wagon-inaster, McKmstry. and one teanster were
killed Captain Payne. Captain Lamson, Surgeon
Grimes. Leutenants Paddock and Wolf and thirty
five men were wounded.
Major Ihornburghs body not recovered
when Rankin left with dispatches. Captain Payne
had fortified his position, and thought he could pos
tbly hold 1t until the arrival of T,inforcemeuts, IN
case they were sent ~. About 100 head Of
horses and mules were killed by the Indians Gen-
efal Merritt Will arrive tonight aud Immediately
leave with strong force.
Ldter-it Is now reported that Agent Mcekcr,
toeether with hIs family and all emplOyes, have
been murdered and The agency buildings destroyed;