The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-01
THE INDIANS


has sent the following dispatches regarding
the Indian fight:
To General Crook, Omaha, Neb
L have ordered Merritt with four com
ranies. from Fort Russell, two companies
from Fort Mcpherson and all that can be-
spared from Sanders and four companies
from Douglass to rendezvous at once al
Rawlings. This gives $50 men; ordered
two companies from Robinson, one from
Laramie and one from Fetterman to march
at once to the railroad to meet emergen-
eies. Gillis is ordered to confer with
Merritt and forward transportation, Have
you any order?
(Signed,) r, WILLIAMS,
Asst. Adit Gen.
The second dispatch like the above is
dated Fort Omaha to Gen. Crook.
The following is received from Milk
River, Col. Sept. 29th, $50 p, On. via
Rawlings Wy, Oct. 1:
To the Assistant Adjutant General
A command composed of three COM
mile south of MIX River by several
hundred Ute Indians, who attacked and
drove US to the wagon train with great
loss. 1t becomes my painful duty to an
nouce the death of Maj. Thormberg, who
fell in harness. The painful but not
serious wounding of Lit. Haddock and DR..
Grimes, ten enlisted men and wagon mas
ter, with the woundiDg of about twenty
men and teamsters. l am corralled near
water with about three e-fourths of my
enemies killed. After desperate fight
since II ID. we hold our position. | shall
strengthen during the night and believe
we can hold out until reinforcements reach
CT
behave with the greatest gallantry. L am
also slightly wounded in two places.
(Signed.) PAYNE, Commanding.
r. WILLIAMS, Asst. Adjt. Gen.
MILK RIVER. Sept %. .. m.-Our
courier, Joe Rankin, has volunteered tc
carry dispatches to RawIins. NJ. Gordon
whose freight outfit of Indian supplies was
near us when athe fight commenced, has
been burned by the fire; also company
wagons of company Z, 5th cavalry.
Capt Payne had his horse killed, and
Lieut.. Cherry's was also shot during the
retreat Capt. Linwood and Lit. Cherry
are unhurt though men were killed al
around them. About three-fourths of oul
horses and mules have been killed. Should
reinforcements reach US in five days, VIZ
can hold out very we'll with our supplies
and ammunition.
| Thornburgh' 8 Command was attacked ln
La bad canon, at noon to- day, one mile south
| from here on our march to the agency. he
retreated in good order to the wagon trair
| where we are now entreBchlng ourselves
as fast as we can.
| $50 %. m.-Thornburg was killed in
stautly during the retreat. Capt. Payne
was wounded 10 two places slightly. Lt.
Paddock and Capt. Grimes were also pain
fully but not dangerously wounded Tel
/ enlisted and Wagon Master Mckinstry
were killed and at least twenty five teams
ters were wounded The command is nov
very well sheltered, but nov acd then art
heard the guns Of new hosfiies who have
arrived Our poor mules and horses are
getting it all around. The red devils free
the grass all around us to burn US out.
i LATER-9 p. m.-We still hold oul
position. Every man is busy diggins
trenches and hauling out the dead ami
mails for defence for tomorrow, for WI
fully expect them back at day light.
| MUsKoGEE, /. T.. Oct. l.-Informa
ton was brought in last night from TIN
Sac and Fox sagency that fight hat
taken place Saturday between a party o
desperadoes injecting the region of tn
agency and a party OF soldiers from For
Sill, resulting in the killing of 9 Of tn
bandits. The kilIingof Jim Barker aud tn
capture of TripIet. by Cherokee Sheriff
Jesse CoehraDe, depriyes them of bold
, bad leader and desperate man. Tx
pected troops will kill or scatter this ban
as they have orders to remain two month
longer III the field if necessary,