The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-10-14
(From the n. Y. SUM-
The Disaster at Milk Creek

nv AShSGtoVOA OU 0khlkA WV
8 The conduct of the campaign thus
far can hardly be pronounced creditable
to those Immediately concerned. Maj
Thornburgh has, indeed, paid with his
Iife for letting himself he trapped, and
criticism upon him would not be punish
ed unspariDgly, even were the facts re-
qnired for thorough judgment more
FULLY known than they are. But it is
one thing to regard leniently the mishap
of brave officer, and quite another TO
actively sound the praises of an cxpe-
dition leading to grave disaster.
This last, however, has been done by
the military authorities at Omaha; and
that, too SO promptly on the news OF
the Milk Creek catastrophe as to make
the effort suspicious. ,...s-..y,.,...-,.
Not content with pointing out the real
merit of Thornburgh's conduct-the
GOODNESS, courage, and success with
which, when he found himself surprised,
he charged to recover his train, the loss
of which would have been fatal TO the
entire command--the authorities at Gen
Crooks headquarters have insisted that
Major. Thornburgh was "most vigilant
and cautious" that by nature be was
caution itself, and never impetuous
"his early training" continued the des-
patch from the headquarters OF the De-
partment of the Platte, "amid scenes
calculated to school him to become a
cautious leader and good judge in such
matters, has fitted him for just this
sort of work" ltwas further announ.
ced that Tbornburgh had "won for
himself high reputation as scout and
Indian fighter, and therefore the only
inference that can be drawn is that
Thornburgh did not blunder."
If these promises were all sound it Is
not clear that the conclusion would fol-
low; but they are contrary to the facts.
Major Thornburgh's early experience
was not at all in Indian fighting, but
solely in the civil war. From that SER
vice, while youth, he passed through
the NJ ilitary Academy; then into garri-
son life as an artillery officer; then got
an appointment in the pay department
and thence by transfer passed into q
majorship in the infantry. His first In
dian campaign in command of troops
was last year, and it ended in total
failure, his command. after a. hard march
lin pursuit Of the Cheyennes, getting
itself lost among the foot hills of Ne
brsska. -,......--..-.--..--.--..
While, therefore, it may be premature
to pass an unfayorable judgment on this
second campaign of Major Thornburgh
friendly feeling for gallant officer does
not remove the fact that command oil
troops was surprised in a perilous re.
gion. and only saved by the bravery Of
its commander, of his subordinates and
men, from humiliation. 0 III
1t is worth noting, too, that Major
Thornburgh was not the only Officer
surprised, His last telegram to his gu
periors had been to the effect that b.
anticipated no trouble :all was going
well. But during the progress OF this
march, Gen. Crook, bis immediate su
tperior, was absent in Chicago; Gen
Sheridan had been making comica
speeches about the crops in Illinois.
Gen Sherman was attending Missouri
cattle fairs with Mr.. R. B. Hayes, and
Carl Scburz was engaged 10 shooting
game up in Wyoming, and elsewhere
unaware that a different sort of shoot
ing was so close at hand. ~