Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-20
THE FIGHT AT MILK RIVER.
An Officers Graphic Account OF the Hat
tie with the Utes In colorado Fighting
Against Fire nnd Bullets.

sieged by Indians on Milk river, Col.
for six days before they were relieved
by General Merritts force gives this
vivid account of the attack on Major
Thornburgh, and the subsequent thrill
ing events in the bclcagurcd intrcnch-
ments: The field of battle was admir-
ably chosen for defence by the Indians,
and had it not been for Major Thorn
burgh's advance guard, commanded by
Lieut.. Cherry, discovering the ambus-
cade, 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 recOnnoitcT, and only discovered
them when he had ilankcd their posi-
tion by about 100 yards. Lieut.. Cherry
rode back at full speed with one or two
mcn who were with him, and notified
Major Thornburgh, who had already
begun the descent into the deep ravine
which was intended 10 cngulf the com
mand. The Indians were di5mountcd,
and lying down along the crest Of the
high, steep ridge for II hundred Yards
from the point where the deadly assault
would have commenced. The troops
were Withdrawn a short distance, dis.
mounted, and dcployCd in line Of battle.
with orders 10 await the attack Of the
Indians. Lieut.. Cherry was here ordered
by Thornburgh TO take "A detachment of
fifteen picked men and make "A reconnoi-
saLce and communicate If possible with
the Indians, rs it was thought that they
only desired To oppose his approach to
their agency. and would parlcy or have
big talk if they could be communI-
Gated with. Cherry moved out nj gal
lop with his men from the right flank.
and noticed "A like movement of about
twenty Indians from the left of the In
dian position. lie approached 10 within
couple OF hundred yards OF the lndi-
ans and took of 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
vollcy from the Indians.
The work had now begun in real
earnest, and seeing the advantage Of the
position hc held, Lieut.. Cherry dis
mounted bis detachment and dcploycd
along the crest of the hills 20 prevent
the Indians thanking his position. or to
cover tho retreat. If il WAS found neccs-
sary 10 retire upon the wagon train.
which was then coming up slowly.
guarded by Lieut.. Paddock. Company
u, Firth Cavalry. Orders were sent Ia
park the wagons and cover them with
the company guarding them. The two
companies in the advance were Capt.
Paync's Company +. Fifth Cavalry. and
Capt. lAwson's, Company T.. Third
Cavalry, which were dismountcd and
de- pycd as -kirmishcrs. Capt. Payne on
tic. and Capt. Lawson on tho right.
ProE- Lieut.. Chcrry's position lac could
see that the Indians were trying 20 cut
him off from the wagons, and at once
sent word TO Major Thonburgh, who
then Withdrew the line slowly, keeping
the Indians in check until opposite the
point which his men held, when, seeing
thRt the Indians were concentrating to
cut off his retreat. Capt. Payne. with
Company +. Fifth Cavalry. was ordered
to charge the hill, which ho did in gal
liant style. his horse being shot under
him and several Of his men wounded.
The Indians having been driven from
this point, the company was rallied on
the wagon train. Major Thornburch
then gave orders to Lieut.. Cherry to hold
hiz position and cover Capt Lawson's
retreat. who was ordered ia fall back
slowly with the horses Of his cumuanv.
Cherry called for volunteers o. twenty
men, who responded promptly and
fought with desperation. There names
will b. given In later dispatch. rs
nearly every man was wounded before
he reached the camp. Two men were
killed. Cherry brought every wounded
man in with him. Capt lawson. the
brave old veteran. displayed the greatest
Coolnrss and courage during this retreat,
sending up ammunition 20 Chorry's men
when. once. they were nearly without
it. Major Thornburrh started back 10 the
wagon train aflCr giving his final orders
toCapt. Payne TO charge the hill and TO
Capt. Lawson and Lieut. Cherry 10 cover
tho retreat. He must have been shot
dead when barely half way there. as his
body was seen by one Of Capt Lawson's
mon, life extinct. lying on his face.
Captain Payne, then in command. nj
once set about having the wounded
horses shot, to be used for hrcastworks.
dismantling the wagons uf boxes and
bundles Of bedding. corn and -four. sacks.
which were quickly piled up for fortif-
cations. Picks and shoycls were used
vigorously for digging intrcnchmcnts.
Meantime, a calling fire was concen-
trated upon the command from all the
surrounding bluffs which commanded
the position. Not an Indian could bc
seen. but the inCessant cracks of their
Sharps and Winchester rifles dealt fear
ful destruction among the horses and
men. Tire gToans Of the diving and the
agonizing cries Of the wounded told
what fearful havoc was being made
among the determined and desperate
command. Every man was bound 10
sell his life ne dearly as possible. About
this time a great danger was approach
ing at afrightfully rapid pace. The rcd
fiends, at the beginning OF the fight, had
set fire TO the dry grass and TO the sage
brush to the windward Of our position,
Z
us. the flakes lcaping high into the air
+ and immense volumes Of smoke rolling
on to ingulf us. II was sight to make
/ tho stouiest heart quake, and the licnds
were waiting, ready 10 give US volley
I rs soon "a we were driven from our
I shelter. Now II reaches the flank. and
+ blankets, b. blouscs and empty sacks were
/ freely used 90 extinguish the flames.
/ Some OF the wagons were set on fire,
which required all the force possible to
/ smother It. No water can be obtained.