The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-10-09
SLAUGHTERED BY INDIANS.
Government Troops Defeated by the Re-
bellicus Utes-Major ThOrnburgh and Fit
teen Men Killed and Several Wounded.
IN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.


teen Men Killed and Several Wounded.
AN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
MILK RIVER, Colo, Sept. 29.-Thorn-
burgh's commandwas attacked in q bad canyon
at noon day, one mile south from here, on
our march to the Agency. We retreated in
good order TO the wagon train, where we are
now intrenching ourselves as fast as possible.
Thornburgh was killed instantly during the re-
treat, and Capt. Payne was wounded in two
places slightly. Lieut.. Paddock and Capt.
Grimes were also painfully, but not danger
ously, wounded. Ten'enlisted men and Wag-
onmaster McKinstry were killed, and at
wounded. The command is now very
well sheltered, but now and then are heard
guns of new hostiles, who have just arrived.
Our poor mules and horses are getting 1t all
around. The red devils fired the grass all
around us to burn US out. Every man Is busy
digging trenches, and hauling out the dead
animals for defense for tomorrow, for we
courier, Joe Rankin, has volunteered to carry
our dispatches to Rawlins. About three
fourths of our horses and mules have been
killed. Should reinforcements reach us in five
days we can hold out very well with our sup
plies and ammunition.
THE CoURIER's STORY.
RAwLINs, wy, October THE following
particulars are obtained from the courier who
brought dispatches from Capt. Payne after
the fight MAJ. Thornburghs expedition against
the hostile Ute lnu1anS Wnen Nltnln ~ ulllcS
of the Agency halted for the night of the Goth
instant, and the Major sent Grafton Lowry,
one of his scouts, to the Agency to communl-
cate 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 Blue River. The warriors were deco
rated and painted in the usual war style.
They were about to murder Mr.. Meeker, but
Mr.. Lowry prevailed on them not to commit
the deed. Mr. Meeker had attempted to leave
fIa xUitb lint wa IT,
ed by the Indians. The Ind ans Slgn1-
fed their readiness for war, and seemed
anxious for the approach OF troops; They
then made another move to kill Meeker and
fire the buildings, butwere second time pre-
vailed upon to deSist. Lowry now attempted
to return to his command, but was informed
he must remain. After giving number of
assurances of his peaceaDle mission, he was
allowed to depart, but was accompanied by
about thirty warriors, VINO RODE with nm
number of miles and then left. Lowry ar
rived at his command, then near Mill Creek,
on the evening of the 2Sth, and gave Maj.
ThOrnburgh the above information. The next
morning, Sept. %, the command advanced I'M
der the guidance of Joe Rankin, who Is well
acquainted with the country. About 9o'clock
a. m. Rankin discovered fresh Indian signs,
and having arrived at canyon through
which the road passed and which would at-
ford an excellent opportunity for ambush, he
led the command around over hill, over
an old trail well known to him. By this
movement he saved the lives of the COM
mand, for on arriving on top of the
hill he discovered the Indians in ambush
on either side of the canyon through which
the road passed. Thornburgh formed his men
in line and awaited the attack. He was re-
peatedly urged to fire on the Indians, but per.
sistently refused to do so, saying his orders
would not justify the attack. Two Indians
now rode up to within 100 yards, dismounted,
and, with a savage yell, fired, shooting Capt
Payne through the arm. At this signal the
Indians gave a war whoop, and the battle
commenced. Thornburgh now found he was
surrounded. He ordered a charge, which he
CALAMITY led in person, and succeeded in cut.
ting his way out, and when within about 900
yards of his wagon he fell dead, with two bull
lets through his brain. Capt. Payne now took
command, and the battle was carried on until
O'Clock p. m, the troops using wagons and
animals as breast works. The Indians fell
back q short distance and went into
camp. During the, engagement Low.
about as follows: Maj. Thornburgh, Lowry
and thirteen enlisted men, the WagOnmaster,
McKinsley, and one teamster, killed; Capt.
tenants Paddock and Wolf and thirty five
men wounded. Thornburgh's body was not
recovered when Ranken left with dispatches.
Can't Pavne had fortified his position and
Thought he could possibly hold it untn the ar
rival of reinfOrcements, in case they were
sent promptly. About $50 head of mules and
horses were killed by the Indians. Gen. Mer-
rift will arrive to night and leave Immediately
with good force.
1t is reported, later, that Agent Meeker and
family and all the employees have been muir
dered and the Agency buildings deStroyed,but
this report lacks confirmation. settlers from
Smoke and Bear Rivers are fiocking in here
for safety, and considerable excitement pre-
walls.
REINFORCEAIENTS ORDERED.
CHICAGO, Oct. Immediately on the re-
ceipt of Gen. Crooks telegram, announcing
the battle near Milk River, Colorado, Gen.
Sheridan ordered reinforcements, to the num-
Der of $50 men, to be dispatched, under Gen.
Merritt of the 5th Cavalry, to the rrhe1 OF
Can't PAYNE; also ordered six companies from
Fort Smelling, near st. Paul, to be sent to Raw
Inns Station, on the Union Pacific Railroad,
which is about POO miles from the scene OF the
massacre.
THE CAUSE OF THE OUTBREAK.
CHICAGO, Oct. 1.-Concerning the trouble
in which the expedition was necessitated, it
is stated that for several weeks the Ute In
dams, who had heretofore been very friendly
to the whites, have manifested a very insur-
rectionary spirit. A band of them took to the
war path. The grievances of the whole tribe
were, as alleged, that for year and n half
they had not had enough to eat. The Ute
Agent was accused of Withholding supplies.
September 10 the Indian Agent at White River
was assaulted by Indians and further farm
work prohibited. September IA the Agency
buildings were burned, raids were made, sew
eral prospectors shot, and the woods
around the Agency set On fire. 1t was to pun
ish the ring leaders and restore peace that
the expedition under Mai. ThOnburgh was
sent to the Ute Agency. The expedition start
ed September 20, from Fort Steele, and con-
sisted of a company of the Sd Cavalry from
Fort Russell, and two companies OF the 9th
Cavalry from Fort Steele. The command was
TO proceed to the White River Agency, 200
miles distant, to protect the Agent on the Ute
Reservation. 1t was feared, some time ago, by
the military authorities, that the whole Ute
tribe would be driven to the war path and the
bloodiest of Indian wars be inaugurated. The
disaster to the Thornburgh command seems to
indicate that large number OF warriors are
in the field.