The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-08

MILK RIVER, Col. sept. EXTRAORDINARY
command was attacked in q bad canon at
march TO the agency; retreated in good order
| trenchtng ourselves as fast AZ possible.
3:s0 o. m.-Thornburgh was killed Instantly
in TWO places slightly; Ileutensns Psddocf
and Captain Grimes were also painfully. nut
and and ' wagon Master McKinstry were si Hsa
Wounded. =, me eomm and =, ,s now very wei u
nave sas gnas Arrived Our n0I poor m1i Rs
devils fired the grass all around us to burn us
out.
| position. Every man is busy digging trenches
| and hauling out the dead animals for defense
for to morrow, for we fully expect them back
Milk RIVER, S p. m. Sept zs..our courier,
Joe Rankin; has volunteered ,1 70 carry dis,
freight outfit of Indian supplies was near us
when the fight commenced, has been burned
F, Fifth cavalry Captain Payne had his
horse killed. and Lieutenant Cherry's was
tain Linwood and Lieutenant Cherry
| are uuhurt, though the men were killed all
horses and sde mules have been killed. Should
reinforcements reach us in five days, we can
| hold ont very well with our supplies and am
munftion.
GENERAL SHERIDAN RECEIVED THE FOLLOW
IND DISPATCHES:
CHICAGO, Oct. l-Lieutenant General Sheri-
dan has received the following dispatches re-
garding the ILdian fight:
To General Crook, Omaha:
I have ordered Merritt, with four companies
| from Fort Russell, two companies from Fort
| Mcpherson, ali that can be spared from San
vons at once at Rawlings. This gives $50 men,
| ordered two companies from Robinson. one
march at once to the railroad to
meet emergencies. ellis is ordered to confer
Have YOU any orders? r. WILLIAMS.
Assistant Adjutant General.
The second dispatch like the above is dated
FORT OMAHA.
! To General Crook:
| The following is received:
MILK RIVER, Col. 18th, $50 p. m.
Via Rawlings, Wy, oct. /.
| Assistant Adjutant General, Department Of
Platte, Omaha:
This command. composed of three compa-
River by several hundred Ute Indians, who
| attacked and drove to the wagon train !,
to announce the death OF Major Hornbery,
| who fell in harness; the painful but
| and DR.. Grimes, 10 enlisted men and the
wagonmaster, with the wounding of about 20
With ahont fhres. fonrtbs of NV enemies Killed
| after desperate fight, since IL m. We hold
our position, shall strengthen during the
night, and believe we can hold out until rein
forcements reach us, II they are hurried. The
officers and men behaved with the greatest
gallantry. L am also slightly wounded in two
places. (Signed) PAYNE,
Commanding.
r. Williams, Assistant Adjutant General.
FULL ACCOUNT OF THE TERRIBLE BATTLE
RAwLINs w. T, Oct. 1.-The following par
ticulars were obtained from the courier who
brought the dispatches from Captain Payne,
after the fight of Major Thornburg's expedi-
ton against the hostile Ute Indians: When
within 70 miles of the agency they halted
..r.d aofn ff<.t,
Lowry, one of the scouts 10 the agency, to
communicate with Agent Meeken and see
excitement and confusion prevailing. The
Indians had sent all their old men,
wsTd Bi ana r fHlren rhe south warrops
were decorated and painted in the usual
STYLE en, raey Were aeopi % On ins M
TO commit the deed. Mr.. Meeker told Lowry
that he attempted to leave the agency with his
family, but was prevented py the Indians that
the Indians sgniied their readiness for war,
and seemed anxious for the approach of the
kill Meeker and fire the buildings, but were a
second time prevailed on TO desist. Lowry
mand, and Was informed that he
must remain; but after giving
them number OF ASSN ances Of his peaceable
panied by about 81 warriors, who rode
with him a number of miles, and then
then near MIX creek, on the evening OF
the %, and gave Msjor Thornburgh the above
20, the command advanced nnder the guidance
of Joe Rankin, who Is well acquainted with
discoverea fresh Indian signs, and having
arrived at the canon through which the road
passed, and which would afford an excellent
opportunity for ambush he led the COM
mand around over hfll over an old trail well
known to him. by this movement he saved
top OF the hill he discovered Indians ia am.
bush on either side OF the canon through
his men IN line and awaited the attack. He
was urged to fire on the Indians, but persist
to ao hs 9od
up to within leo yards, dismounted,
and with aa,a,n savage Psyne yell ,braD Dss
s sneo arm. At this signal the Indians gave a
war wnoop and the battle commenced.
ed. He ordered a charge, which he gailantly
led In person. and succeeded Ia emitting bis
way out and ,, when w1thin shout hs 81 81
dead with two bullets through his
brain. Captain Payne now took command,
m, the troops using wagons and animals as
breastworks the Indians fell back q short
distance and went into camp: During
The The casualties e are about ~ as follows: :
Mor ley ps and Il ss%
s Surgeon Grimes lieutenant spaddock and
ed Mone Major Thornburg's /. body had
not been recovered when Rankin
left with the d1snAechss. captain Payne nad
! fortified his position and thought he could
possibly hold 1t until the arrival of reinforce
| inents In case they were sent promptly. About
| $50 head of mules and horses were Killed by
| the Indians. General Merritt will Arrive to-
night, aud leave at once with coed force.
LATER-It Is now reported that Meeker and
| family and all the employees have been MUIR
| dered, and the agency buildings destroyed, but
| this report lacks confirm alton. Settlers from
| Snake and Bear rivers are fiocking in he re
| for safety, and considerable excitement pre-
| walls.
ASSISTANCE SENT TO rHoRNDuRG's COMMAND.
CHEYENNE Oct. l--0enerat Merritt, wire
| will command the expedition for the relief'of
| Thorn burg's command left here this anerrdon
| on q special train. Accompanying him were
| companies A, b. 1 and NJ of the Fifth cavalry,
| and company of the Fourth tnfantry. In
addition to these, there will be five'ccmpanies
| O, cavalry from other posts In the department,
and four companies of Infantry, The greater
number of which will he at Rawltns
before daylight in the hDtaing. From the