The New York herald., 1879-10-10
Skirmish with the Redskins
After the Arrival.
TROUBLE AT LOS PINOS AGENCY.
The Agent Reported Driven Off
by the Indians.

"we marched continuously Saturday night, not
halting for single moment. and making seventy
miles In twenty-four hours. 1t will be remembered
that the command left Rawins at half past ten A. NJ
Thursday, October 2. They marched forty miles
that day and the second day they
marched fifty miles Tho men endured the
march spendidly. They realized that a few of their
comrades in arms were surrounded and that their
safety depended upon the quick movement Of their
command. Consequently there complaints.
Several horses worn out that they had to be
abandoned. and died the roadside The
mand arrived at the scene OF action Sunday October
s. after marc hing seventy miles the day previous
When Merritt's advance guard reached Payne's
pickets they were commanded by them 70 halt
and in order to inform Captain Payne that it
the relief column that approaching he
caused his trumpeter to sound the officers call
Captain Dodge's company Of the Ninth cavalry was
there when Merritt arrived He arrived on Thurs
day and had to cut his way in. In the engagement
he lost thirry-three out Of his thirty-hve horses
Drs. Grimes and Kimball went to work caring
for the wounded Immediately upon their arrival at
the command Merritts march was . great mill
tary success. Major Thornburgh's body has been
recovered"
REPORT OF RATTLE not CREDITED
General Merritt does not mention having met any
Indians and tho report Of his battle Is credited
About eighty head Of horses belonging to George
Boggs we're taken from their corral Snake River
and driven of on the night Of October 6. 1t is
thought to be the work OF white men no Indians
have been seen in the neighborhood.
General Crook has established his headquarters at
Fort Steele. but comes here every morning and
mains during the day. returning home in the
ing. He is watching things closely and despatch
ing messengers daily. Captain Gillis. quarter
master. is here. and to him belongs the credit Of
moving moro forage and supplies IN Q shorter time
than any officer record 1t is due to his prompt
ness that the troops enabled 60 the front
80 speedily.
THE REPORT OF MERRIrT's FIGHT CONTRA
DICTED-A sKRMIsH ArTER HIS ARRIVAL.
CHEYENNE. Wy. T.. Oct. 0. 1879.
The statement of the mail carrier that General
Merritt had fight with hostiies before reaching
Captain Payne's command was contradicted. because
General Merrtt's report and all other oommunics-
| tions from his command made no mention of his
having met Indians while going in. Letters
ceived here to-day by army officer from members
| of Merritts command speak Of no engagement be-
| fore tho junction with Payne's command.
WITH THE INDIANS.
On Sunday morning. October 5. after relieving
Payne. General Merritt. with Company NJ Fifth
cavalry. under Lieutenant Cherry left camp to
visit Thornburgh's battle field. and way there
| attacked by Utes. One man wounded and
four horses killed. No further particulars
gven except that the Indians repulssd Sunday.
| These letters dated Sunday evening. while
| Merritt's report was wrttton Sunday morning.
THE INDIAN RUNNERS STORY OF THE MAS
sAcRE AT WHITE RIvKR-A MEssENGRR FROM
CHIEF ouRAY DESPATCHED TO THE SCENE
THE AGENT AT Los PrNos REPORTED DRIVEN
AWAY BY THE INDIANA
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
| DKNvKR Col. Oct. 9. IS79
The runner who arrived st Los Pinos Agency.
| bringing news Of the death Of Agent Mesker and
the employees st White River. says that after the
| fight with Thornburgh the Utes proceeded to the
| agency and attacked the employees who had
barricadcd themselves In building. which set
| on Are. and the men shot. ono by one.
| a. they rushed out The fate Of the women
is still in doubt. though Douglas was pro-
tecting them best he could Agent Stanley
At Los Pinos. Immediately upon receiving this news
sent Joseph Brady. . white man. sccomp panied
by . bodyguard Of Utes. seocted by Ouray,
to White River. and their return is anxiously
awaited Ouray sent . positive command to the
White River Utes to nshting. the Utes can
not gain but must lose in fight. He In represented
to be sick with anxiety. Ouray had started on
Q big hunt which was to continue three months.
This intelligence reached him. and he abandoned
that and is doing all he can to stop the The
whites have ovory confidence in him. but no
powerless, as the latest dispatches Indicate that
trouble in tho south is increasing.
TROUBLES AT LAS Prxos.
A despatch to the Governor from silverton dated
sth signed by three responsible citizens says
liable information vas received tonight that the
Indians have driven the agent from Las Pinos
agency to Animas City. The leading citizens then
called for help. and troops sentrom Pagosa to
Animas City at once.
Another despatch to the Governor from Dclnorto
dated to-day just thirtysix hours from silver.
ton on the 7th. says armed party from sverton
vas brought in, the women and children from the
lower San Miguel. Settlers the Dolores feel safe
but want arms and ammunition. There thirty
Indians in camp the Cascade. twenty y-Ave miles
below siiverton. but not in war paint.
CITIZENS ORGANIZED.
The citixcns OF Silverton have organized 100
mon but lack arms aud ammunition They
do not anticipate danger in siiverton but
the outlying camps and settlements must have help
request In made to sond. IL possible 100 stand OF
arms and At least thirty rounds each.
ASIMAs DANGER
A special messenger from Silverton says Animas
City is in danger. Tho agent at Los Penos just got
of with his iife The country Is full of rumors
which must be taken with caution. The Indians
will not attack large settlements and besege them.
but will attack isolated camps and settlers
making q quick dash and thcn be OIL again TO tho
mountains.
REPoRTED MOVEMENTS OF INDIANS DENIED
THE sHosHoNEs, BANSocKs AND ARAPAHoEs
QUIET AND rnrENDLY-MERRIrr's FUTURE
NovEMENTs.
INK rELEoRApH TO THE HERALD
OMAHA Neb.. Dot. Q, 1870.
Al department headquarters here your correspond
ent learned from the Adjutant General that inior-
nation had bccn received from Shoshonc. Bannock