The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-13
Difficulties To Be Enc Juntered Be-
fore Reaching the Agency.
A WINTER CAMPAIGN INDICATED.
Murder of the Agent and En-
ployes Confirmed.
A LETTER FROM JOSEPHINE MEEKER.
LBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. !

bf TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
RAwLINs. Wy. T., Oct. ~ 1879.
The Ute war, ii there is TO be war,
has now reached its critical stage. pause
which is likely to provoke the usual
outburst from Eastern critics unless General Mer-
rift quickly advances and disconcerts his foe The
situation ut this time follows and all its details
are worth considering
First-General Merritt having relieved Payne,
together with Dodge's commands. is reported to
have withdrawn and intrenched all his forces in a
more favorable position one mile this way. in order
to await the reinforcement rations. transportation
and ammunition on the road to him.
Second-The first reinforcements he will receive
four companies of cavalry and the six
companies of the Seventh infantry which
started from Rawlns last Tuesday and may
reach him tomorrow. These reinforcements will
increase his fighting strength 70 between thou
sand and eleven hundred mon. At the
same time it must be considered that
Payne's and Dodges troops lost next to all
their animals. and now consist Of dismounted
cavalry without transportation. The arrival to-
Of the wagons accompanying the Seventh
infantry raions for the entire force up to
the 3lst inst.
Third-Seven hundred Ute warriors reported
in Merrtts 'front.' and every body including military
officers from hero to Chicago. Questioning whether
Merritt, with men, ammunition. provisions. &C..
he will thus have on hand. and with the wounded
he has to escorted to the rear, will risk ad.
vance the White River Agency in the race OF that
force wait until he is strengthened by the other
troops and supplies now on the way to him.
JOB BEFORE HIM.
II it is true that the Utes numbers have been SO
largely augmented General Merritt has q big
job before him. with the force that
to
fortnight. The distance he must traverse to the
White River Agency is about twenty-five miles. and
the Indians reported fortifying and impeding
every mile of the way. The longer Merritt halts the
stronger will be the impediments they will place
before him. All citizens and scouts with whom I
have consulted and who know the country
unite in saying that II he does
not advance upon the agency by tho regu-
lar road he will have to make q detour
of nearly hundred miles to reach it
1t any other direction. Advancing by
the regular road he will be met at first by the
difficulties which beset Thornburgh. and his pas
sage through Coal Greek canyon will involve the
running Of fearful gauntlet for at least two miles.
FEARFUL ROAD.
The canyon is described narrow and precipi-
tous that aside from the murderous fire the Utes
would be able to keep up the troops from their
fortifcations. they could hurl down rocks in many
places to, the destruction of men. animals and
wagons. Colonel Bracket. in command Of the
Third cavalry, who is now here in readiness
to accompany the rest of his command to
the front Is Oh experienced and celebrated
Indian fighter and q friend of General Mer-
ritts. He is inclined to think that General Merritt
OH the arrival Of the reinforcemcnts supposed to
reach his camp tomorrow will use long range
fghtins. and make a bold and gallant move TO dis
lodge the Indians by night.
A NIGHT SALLY.
'Indians," said the Colonel, "are supcrstitious
and hate o night engagement. Their positions are
doubtless strong. and some men would proba-
bly, get hurt in tho effort to dislodge
them. but a nights sally appears. judging
from tho accounts received at this distance
to be the only thing likely to succeed. and
il it was successful in instance it would
help to dcmoralizo tho Indians and Civ
General Merritt decided advantage. Otherwise
the Utes. by retaining their position the heights
and constantly strengthening them will be able to
harass him greatly unless he discovers some way OF
cnecting y flank movement which the maps ut
hand do not suggest. Merritt is too old soldier to
do anything rash. yet IL no does not act boldly
and dccisively he Is lost. only wish he
had howi,zcrs to toss shells up among
the Indian entertainments. They might not do much
where soaring would do most good
MOVING THE FRONT.
Company ]. OF the Third cavalry. left here to-day
for the front in charge of Lieutenant King with
important auxilliarics. The company numbers forty
two mounted men. in charge of sixty led horses
tor tho remount of troops. Sixteen sixmulo
teams. two four-mule teams and fifty pack mules.
carrying subsistence stores and forage. went in
charge of thirtytw quartermaster's mon. The whole
train included seventy eight mon, log horses aud
154 mules is under the command of Major Evans.
The last troops ordered and their way hero aud
to the front left Fettcrman this morning They will
arrive ut Rock Creek Wednesday. roach Rawlins
Thursday by tho railway and start Thursday
night Friday the road. There will
be 400 enlisted men aud 100 teamsters: $50
will DO mounted cavalry mon, besides the $50
horses. The command will take with it 100
extra horses and 3s5 mules. This will make
ass animals. In addition to those taken out to-day
a number which is expected to rcmount Payne's and
podgo's cavalry. furnish teams for all wagons and
considerably increase tho pack-mule train for light
marching service.
COLLECTING TRANSPORTATION.
Captain ellis. the depot quartermaster at this
point, has beeu for the past fortnight col
lecting al the wagons and teams available
for transportation within radius Of 200
miles. lie offers Transfers two months work and
transportation hither by railway for them
selves and teams In case two months employ
mcnt is not given them they and their teams
arc be returned to their homes at government ex-
pcnse. Tho companies to 60 out next Thursday or
Friday will therefore escort an immense quantity
of supplies and ammunition in wagons. The am.
munition up this tmo being In the proportion Of
5000 rounds per company OF troops
WINTER WAR INDICATED.
Unless General Merritt should finish up tho
Utes suddenly such preparations denote wretched
winter war. Merritt ana other officers have
sent In for fur caps and gloves ard
IL is likely that General Crook will take the field
within q fow hours after the last of
the troops ordered have left Rawins for
the field. The force employed against the Utcs from