The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-02
CORRALLED TROOPS.
HISTORY on THE MOVEMENT.
Probable Massacre of Agent Meeker
F and Family-The Fight-List
fAA Of Killed and Wounded
" Troops Moving.


Rawlins, Oct. 1.-The following par
ticulars are obtained from a courier
who brought the news of the fight here:
Nal Thornburgh's expedition against
the hostile Ute Indians, when within
Is miles of the agency, halted for the
night, on the 26thr ult., and the major
sent Grafton Lowry, one of his scouts,
to the agency to communicate with
Agent Meeker, and to see how matters
stood. He found the utmost excite
ment prevailing. The Indians had
sent all of their old men, women and
children, south toward the Blue river;
the warriors were decorated and paint
ed In their usual war style; they were
about to murder Mr.. Meeker but Mr..
Lowry prevailed on them not to commit
the deed; Meeker told Lowry that he
attempted to leave the agency with his
family but was prevented by the Indi-
ans; the Indians signihed their readi-
ness for war, and seemed anxious for
the approach OF the troops; they then
made another move to kill Meeker and
fire the buildings, but were second
time prevailed upon to desist; Lowry
then attempted to return to the COM
mand, but was informed that he must
remain, but after giving them NUM-
Der Of assurances Of his peaceful mis-
sion he was allowed to depart, but was
accompanied by about thirty warriors.
who rode with him'a number OF miles
and then left him. Lowry arrived at
the command, then near Milk creek, on
the evening of the 2etb, and gave Maj.
Thornburgh the above information.
The next morning, September 29th.
the command advanced under the guild
ance of Joe Rankin, who is well ac-
quainted with the country. About 0
O'Clock a. m. Rankin discovered fresh
Indian signs, and having arrived at
canon through which the road passed,
and which would afford an excellent
opportunity for ambush, he led the
command around over the hill on an
old trail well known to him; by this
movement he saved the lives Of the
command, for on arriving on top Of the
hill he discovered the Indians in am
bush on either side of the cafion,
through which the road passed.
Thornburgh formed his men in line
and awaited the coming attack. He
was repeatedly urged to FIRE on the In
dians, but persistently refused to do 50.
saying that his orders would not justify
an attack, etc. Two Indians now rode
up to within hundred yards, dis
mounted, and with savage yell fred,
shooting Capt. Payne through the arm.
At this signal the Indians gave war
whoop and the hattie commenced.
Thornburg now found that he was sur
rounded and ordered charge which he
gallantly led in person and succeeded in
cutting his way out, but when Within
about five hundred yards OF his wagons
he fell dead, with Two bullets through
his brain.
Captain Payne now TOOK command,
and the battle was carried on until .
p. M, the troops using the wagons and
animals as breastworks. The Indians
fell back u short distance and went into
camp.
During the engagement Lowry was
Killed. The casualties are ABOUT as
follows; "a,
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