The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-10-17
An OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.

beiiious Utes-Mnjor Thornburgh and Fif-
teen Men Killed and Several Wounded.
AN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
MILK RIVER, Coo, Sept. 2o.-Thorn-
burgh scommandwas attacked In a bad canyon
at noon 70. 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 intrcnchipg ourselves as fast as possible.
Thornburgh was killed instantly during the re-
treat, and Capt. Payne was wounded IN two
places slightly. Lieut.. Paddock AMI Capt.
Grimes were also painfully put MOI a u" Y
oninilstcr Mcr--.-try we're killed, and at
least twenty. fiye men and tcan-fers
wounded. The command T. now Very
well sheltered, but now and then are heard
guns Of new hostilcs, who have Just arrived.
Our poor mules and horses are getting u Az
around The red devils fired The grass All
around as 10 burn us out Every man y busy
digging trenches. and hauling out the dead
animals for defense for 10 morrow. Tor We
fully e..i ect them back ~ daylight. our
courier. Joe Rankin, has volunteered % carry
our dispatches 20 Eawlns. About three
fourths ~ our horses and mules have been
killed. should achievements reach u ~ nve
days can hold out very Well WITH our sup
plies and ammunition.
THE couRIER's STORY.
RAwLISs, Wy, October The following
particulars are obtained from the courier who
brought dispatches from Capt. Payne after
tile i.,ht Mai Thorn5argl's Apcditinn against
the hostile Ute Indians when within N miles
OF the Agency halted for the night Of the -oth
instant and the Major sent ofafton Lowry,
one of his scouts, 20 the Agency - communl-
cate with Agent Mcekcr, and see how matters
stood lie found the utmost eNcitsmcnt ana
confusion prevailing. The Indians hnd sent
AL their old men, women and children south
toward Blue River. Tile warriors we're deco
rated and painted in the usual war style.
They were about 20 murder Mr.. Mcekef. Tut
Mr. Lowry prevailed on them not 20 commit
the deed. Mr. Mceker had attempted 20 leave
Al All "A
Ell by the Indians. The lnt ans sixnl
fed their readiness for war ana seemed
anxious for the approach OF troops Incy
then made another move TO Kill Meeker aud
fire the buildings. but we're sccondfime pre-
vailed upon 10 desist Lowry now attempted
70 return 20 his command, but was informed
he must remain. After giving a number Of
assurances Of his peaceable mission. ne Was
allowed 20 depart. but was accompanied Dy
about tni.ty MArflors' W." a"us ~ 1917 ~ az
rived At his command, then near Mill Creek.
ON the evening Of the ssth. and gave MAJ.
Thornburgh the above Information The next
morning. Sept -. the command advanced un-
der the guidance Of Joe Rankin, who - well
acquainted with the country About so'ciock
A. m. Rankin discovered fresh Indian signs.
and having arrived at 4 canyon through
which the road passed and which would al
ford an excellent opportunity for ambush, he
az .sn old old sraii weii known 70 him. By thI.
movement he saved the lives Of the COM
, mand. for on arriving on top OF the
! on either side Of the canyon through which
the road passed. Thornbufgh formed It's men
In line and awaited the attack. He was re-
peatedly urged 70 IRE on the Indians. but DER
sfstentiy refused to do 30. saying his orders
would not Justify the attack. Two INDIANS
now rode up TO within 100 yards, di-mounted
and. with a savage yell, fired. shooting capt.
I PAYNE through the arm. At this signal the
, Indians gave war-whoop, and the uattie
commenced. Tbornburgh now found he was
surrounded. lie ordered a charge, when ~
calamity led I'm ,er-On. and succeeded in cut
ting his way out. and when within about ~
yards Of his wagon he fell dead, with two pni
il lets through his brain. Capt Payne now toos
command. and the battle was carried on Unit
O'Clock y. IN. the troops using WAGONS ~.
:, animals ~ breast works The inllan- ~.
camp. During the engagement Low
= ~ was killed. The casualties ar'
about as follows: Mai. Thornnur1il, i-owr.
and thirteen enlisted men. the Nngonfna~ffi
NckIn-icy. and one tcnm-ter. killed .apt
+ Payne Capt. Lawson. surgeon Grimes, Leu
tenants Paddock and VOL am tirtA NV
i men wounded Thotnbmrvh's body wa- no
roNnred when kankrn lett with dispatches
: Can't Pavnc had fortified biz position ans
/, thought he could possibly hold 4 until tle w
y rival ~ rcinforceinent~. in ease they wrr
: sent promptly. About 10 hrAd ~ mules uii'
!. horses were Killed rs the Indians 1til, Arr
ritz viii arrive 20 night AMI leave ininediattei
| N T. reporteA. later. that Agent MecNrr nm
Il family and al the employee have been muir
y dereI and the Agency bniicinisS ne-ir,yt's.v
NJ smoke and Fear Rivers are nocknN IN her
N for safe. and considerable excitement Pre-
X walls
II REI~FoRtrMENTs ORDERED.
10 CHICAGO, Oct. 1.--immeuia'ely ~ the re
: cefpt 81 Gen. Crooks Telegram, nnnouncin
i tn. battle near MIX River, Colorado. Ger
Sheridan ordered reintnrceIncnt-. ~ the mum
l,er III 80 men, a. w. dispatched. under yer
III Merritt III the stk tasalf~, % inr irhri (
n. NM, PAYNE also vr,ieft.I lin cufupanit- ifuf
Fuit smelling. near - i'lEl, ~ " sent W isa~
Al lin- station. On The Onion Pacific Haiirons
y. which 4 about 10 miles from the scene - ~
massacre
y THE CAUSE on THE OUTBREAK.
CHICAGO, Oct. i.--Conccrning the iroubl
" in which the expedition was nccessitatcd,
~ IL stated that tor several weeks the Ite y
dams. who had heretofore been very iricndl
~ TO the whites. have manifested a very 'Nsul
rcctionary spirit. band ~ them took - n
w,lr path The grievances ~ the whole trli
we're. a. alleged. that for year ana a IA
at they had NOT had enough 70 cat. iAe
Y, Agent was accused ~ Withholding rnrphf
M September 10 the Indian Agent ~ " hitc iklN'
was asstrit"d by Indians and further iAil