Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-09
THE ANSWER OF THE INDIANS.
Reported Slaughter Of the Utes by Gen.
Merritt.

CHEYENNE, october 3.
The following is received from Maj. Gil
liss, at Rawling:
The mail carrier from Snake Hill just in,
reports that Merritt reached Payne's COM
mand Monday afternoon, after severe fight,
killing 81 Indians, and found them all right.
The colored cavalry company joined Payne
last Friday night, losing all their horses but
two in doing so.
The mail casrier knows nothing about the
condition of officers and men. The camps of
the Fourteenth Regiment were at least "a
hours behind Merritts command.
A Lake City despatch to Gov. Pitkin says
We want 100 standing arms with amuni-
ton.
Gen. J. C. Nelson tclegraphs from Lead
vile that there are no Indians within fifty
miles.
Gen. Hatch telegraphs from Alamosa that
he is moving troops to the South Ute coun-
try to secure the settlements Gov. Pitkin
suggested to him that he should send some
cavalry to Lake City, thence to Owray, Sill
verton, or other places as necessity may re-
quire. Hatch replies that he is making de-
positions as he suggested
ALMA, Col, Oct. I.
A man just in reports the Indians between
here and Breckenridge, and that Brecken-
bridge is entirely burned Don't know the
truth. The rumor is not credited.
(Signed) JAMES MANYnAN.
Gen. Hatch heard the same report and asks
Gov. Pitkin for particulars. The Governor
telegraphed Manyhan to sec if the reports
were true, and promised to send troops by
special train if necessary, and notified Hatch
accordingly.
A courier has just arrived from the front
with dispatches announcing DOdge's arrival
with company of cavalry, who who re-
ceived with great rejoicing by the beseiged
forces.
RAwLrNs, October 8. The mail carrier
from Snake River arrived at Browns Chain
with news from Payne and Merritt's COM
mands, and reports that Merritt discovered
the hostile Utes and iby a manGuvre drew
them from their hiding place, and out upon
the open plain, and then attacked them The
battle which begun Monday lasted but few
hours, during which the Indians lost 81
killed. Merritt did not lose man. The
Indians sought council and after consulta-
tian, all the chiefs agreed to a common an
swer, which was that if the soldiers invaded
their reservation they would fight till the last
of the Utes were dead.
The Indians then retired to the canyons,
and Merritt pushed forward with all haste
and joined Payne. Merritt found that Payne
had lost only two men since the 10Th ult.
The mail carrier also states there are evil
dences that the northern Indians have come
south to help the Utes. Thornburgs's total
loss, killed, II; wounded, 43. Oct. 5, a let
ter from the front says Merritt has come out,
and the surrounding hills resound with cheers
of welcome.
Later reports from Rawlins and the front
I;,t 81, br,, IN,
by the mail courier. of fight between Mer-
ri,t's command and the Utes. 1t is now
learned that Merritt had no engagement uI
to the time of relieving Payne.
SAN FRANCIsCo, October 8. The hostiles
who murdered a Chinaman and committed
other murders at Rains Ranch, have sur
rendered Internationally.
DENVER, October s. Reports from the
south and west show that Breckenridge
Dudley and Alma are safe No Indians ap
peared there and none have been seen within
fifty miles of Leadvile. Three hundred
stands of arms and ammunition will be sem
to Leadville tomorrow morning. The re.
port of Merritt's battle with the Indians wa,
confirmed to-day by despatch to the Gov
ernOr from Gen. Pope.
New YORK, October 8. II is reported
that General Merritt has slaughtered all the
Utes.
LOspINos AGENCY, October 8. Indian
runners from White River have arrived here
Chief Douglass sends word to Ouray that all
women and children are safe at his house
He has turned money and papers over to the
agents wife. He says that Ouray need have
no fears from the White River Utcs, ant
that the fight is an affair of their own. The
Indians report that band known as the Den
yer Indians are doing some fighting. Tive
Indians entered the Office of the Zized agent
threw him on the floor and shot him through
the head. The agency and the troops wer'
attacked simultaneously. The employee
took refuge in building, which was fired
and the men were shot in attempting to es
cape. Chief Ouray says there is no DANCE
here. All quiet at the agency.