The New York herald., 1879-10-16
A Special Peace Commis-
eioner on the Way.
VISIT TO THE AGENCY BEFORE The FIGHT
Progress Of Merritt's Campaign
Against the Redskins.
A TERRIBLE STORM PREVAILING.

The Indian war critics ~ the East VINO are aWays
ready to say something to the detriment of the
army, might learn their A. B. C.'s in campaign
ing by joining Merritt the warpath to-
night Tho rain Of yesterday ceased last night.
and in its wake came a bleak wind sweeping
over all this mountainous region lying from seven
to ten thousand feet above the level of the At
this moment when the theatres on Broadway
aglow, when gentlemen just quitting the dinner
table and hundreds of barroom loungers in
New York. Boston and Philadelphia tell you
much more than 1 can about the situation. At the
front q fierce snow storm has usurped the scene
from here to Merritt's command Five rsix inches
Of snow have fallen at Rawlns since nightfall. aud
The wind is piling 1t into drifts in every canyon
The troops expected at Rock Creek. eighty-six
miles east from here. the Union Pacific Railroad.
reached there to-day, but the scurrying west
ward came so thick that at three p M telegram
rived here saying it impossible to load the ami
mails with the command on the Increasing in
velocity. the wind is blowing the at a rate
that forbids all travel.
DIFFICULTIES OF TUE SITUATION.
despatch which arrived this afternoon from the
Interior Department at Washington, and intended
to inform General Merritt Of the Mission of Com
missioner Adams from Denver to Chief Ouray
and other Ute authorities was ordered to be
sent from here by courier at once, but
the officer on duty at Rawlins has not yet
taken the responsibility OF numbering courier
by starting him on such an errand even If he
could discover willing to go. The tempest
thus prevailing suggests additional difficulties in
connection with the present campaign. For tho
last three years the winters between here and the
White River Agency have becn comparatively open.
The previous winter Of 1875. however, was
bad one. compelling everybody who traversed
The region, including the mail carriers, to
use snow shoes. In 1878 Frank Ernest.
Afreighter whom have questioned to-day, in COM
pany with Colonel Bracket. who is to COM
mand the next relay of troops. started on
October from Rawins for the agency
with several wagons loaded with heavy freight.
and was thirty-two days the way. He
reports the passes were encumbered by at this
very season. although the valleys werc compare
lively free from It. Should the storm raging to-
night continue the attempt to furnish Gen.
sral Merritt with even the temporary supplies
he needs would be seriously impeded. but even
Of the troops at Rock Greek. who to escort all
these supplies. reach here promptly and able to
make their way south without serious interrupt
tion owing to lot up of the present storm. other
storms are liable to occur which might effect
blockade between the troops and Rawlins on any
day.
AGENCY-REPoRr OF LIEUTENANTs BouRKR
AND SCHUYLER OF GENERAL cRooK's
srAFF-coNDIrIoN OF THE WOUNDED AND
WANTS OF THE TROOPS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
OMAHA. Neb.. Oct. 15 1879.
Ralph Meeker. son of the massaored Indian agent.
passed west to-day. route for the White River
Agency. Mr.. Moeker stated to your correspondent
that his object was twofold-to procure valuable
documents supposed to be ut the agency and to find
any of his people still living. He says he has reliable
information that his mother aud sister being
taken toward Los Pinos Agency by Chief Douglass
and others claiming to be friendly. Mr. Meeker be-
heves that the trouble has been growing long
time. and was brought on by gold discoveries aud
lncursions by the whites.
THE WOUNDED.
Lieutenants Bourke and Schuyler. Of General
Crooks staff. arrived from Milk River last evening
on important business and left again for the front
to-day. Mr.. Bourke reports that the wounded
men are doing extremely well. Surgeon Grimes
wound incapacitatine him. private soldier named
Labau, formerly drug clerk in Philadelphia rem
dered invsluable assistance. Though but forty-two
ar, reported wounded over sixty were hit by the
enemy's BULLETS the remainder not having reported
10 the surgeon for treatment. Thornburgns body
now on the way to the railroad in charge of Cap
rhornburgh received several wounds, but his body
was treated with great respect by the Utes.
WANT OF SUPPLIES GUIDES.
Lieutenant Bourke says Merritt has sufficient
force to crush amy opposition the Utcs may mako.
OF supplies the Indians having burned the grass for
hundreds OF miles in every direction. No guides can
found familiar with the country. several made
great prctensions having been found or.hless aud
sent to the Merritt Is in great nocd Indian
scouts and Crook has secured large number Of
Arrapahoes. some Of whom are now the way.
Light artillery also needed to drive the Utcs from
the mountain tops.
OPEN MARKET ron ARMS
Bourko says Merritt aghast to loarn what open
and free market the Utes enjoyed for the purchase
OF arms and ammunition Many ranchmen and
ton. man named Peck. Oh Bear River, 1t is al
legged. sold thousands of rounds OF cartridges. let
Bourke and Schuyler travelled from Bear River to
che railroad with q farm wagon and mules procured
81 ranch.
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN REPORTED SAFE
PROTECTED ny DoUaLAs-JosEpHrNE MEEK
Ems HEROIC DEFENcE-MrSERs IN DANGER.
From Evening Telegram of ycsterday.l
DENVER, Col, Oct 10. 1879.
The latest advices ut this point from tho South
state that tine women and children who spirited
away from tho White River Agency soon after the
assault OF tho Utcs OH Thornburgh safe at last
accounts. Nothing. however. has bccn heard from
them since October 10. and nothing now is known
10 their whereabouts or that of tho Indians who
have deserted White River.
MISS MEEKKns BRAVE DEFEscE.
The information, which comes by way of Indian
runners. who are in communication with Chief
Douglas in the mountains. is that when tho mas
sacre of Agent Mceker and his men took place the
white women, comprising Mrs. Mcckcr and her
daughter Josephine. and their attendants, were
quartered In different building Ono of tho ma
rauding Indians started to enter this building. Ho
was shot dead upon the threshold by of the oc-
cupants. who is believed TO be Miss Josephine
Meeker. This check probably saved the women from
outrage too dreadful to contemplate.
CHIEF DOUGLAS PROTECTOR
II was then that Chief Douglas, ono of the agency
Indians who had not participated in tho hostiltiss,
aans forward aud prevented further moiestation Of