The New York herald., 1879-10-23
A Accommodating Party At
tackled by the Utes.
Surprised and Surrounded
While Hunting.
THORNBURGH'S BURIAL.
The Ogallala and Brule Sioux
Hungering for War.
rs. TELEGRAPH TO THE nrsA1D.l

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
RAwLINs, Wy. T.. Oct. o. 1879.
despatch which was received about midnignS
yesterday from General Merrtt's headquarters con-
tanned Official information that the war is vir-
tually ended. the Northern hostiles having
intermixed with the Southern tribes VINO
are 1t peace. and the Interior Department having
undertaken to settle the difficulties Asupply depot
for the troops has been established at White River.
whore troops will be kept for while to protect it
and to enforce tho terms of peace.
oxINous NEWS.
courier arrived from the front to-day. however.
bringing dispatches which have created considers
ble excitement. 1t was at first thought that they
changed the whole aspect OF affairs far as the
probability of q peace Is concerned. It
ported that fight had taken place below the
White River Agency. and that Lieutenant William
Weir. the chief ordnance officer of the department..
and ono or two soldiers were killed. Upon this
news was founded the assumption that the
Utss hsd not yet retreated. as had been sup
posed. and that more hghting might be expected.
despite the promises Of the Peace Commissioners
sent to negotiate with the Indians.
At . later hour some further particulars
ceived. from which it appears that Lieutenant Weir
st the time of his death hunting at . distance
from tho command and was surprised by sstraggling
band of Indians.
A REcoNNoIssANcE.
To understand this disaster moro fully it must be
recollected that General Merritt had previously
started. with nearly all Of his force. from the
White River Agency across the White River.
Intending to penetrate as far as possi-
ble southwark with his wagon train. 1t
make their way south of the White River. but Mer-
1itt was too persistent soldier to be dismayed by
the maps and reports of those who had preceded
him. He made for the White River Mountains,
below the stream. and failed to find pass
for his wagon train. Almost at the moment
whom his wagon master reported to him tho impos-
ability Of making headway through the mountains.
Merritt was handed by o courier. who had ridden
from Rawlins. the despatch peremptorily ordering
him to halt. Merritt however. had his own
reasons for ascertaining the state Of affairs all
around and below his command. In case he should
bs ordered to move on in case he should be
molested. Therefore he despatched two companies
Of cavalry, under Captain Henry W. Vessels. Jr..
and First Lieutenant William P. Hall. on tho morn
ing Of the Goth inst. to effect . reconnaissance in
force. number of scouts. headed by Paul Humme.
their chief. accompanied the command. whose
double object to learn whether the hostile Utes
had made permanent departure from the neigh
borhood and whether there any perceptible
wagon route between the White River and the
Grand.
ATTACKED.
It appears that when the troops got some twenty
two miles below the White River Agency Lieutenant
Halls command was attacked guerilla fashion by
body Of Utes. who annoyed 1t till nightfall with
cut stampeding 1t or dong 1t any injury. although
the couriers report that two men were reported
wounded.
First Lieutenant william B. Weir. Chief Of Ord
nance OF the Department of the Platte who was q
volunteer the expedition. attached to General
Ierritts staf. had in the meantime left the COM
mand, along with the Chief Scout Hummc. to hunt
deer. He shot down while thus detached and
his companion is reported to have escaped.
rHE YOUNG oFPIcER's HISTORY.
weir's body recovered. and will be sent to
Rswlins and thence. perhaps. to Cheyenne. At the
latter place. before he set out this fatal expedi-
tion he was living in small but prettily furnished
dwelling. with younger sister. who came from
tho East not long ago to keep house for him.
aud whose grief, when sho hears to-day's news. is
apprehended with shudder by friends here who
praise alike his worth and her devotion. Lieutenant
Weir the younger son Of Robert w. Weir. cello
brated painter and for many years professor of
drawing. &C.. ut West Point. Tho latter re-
tired with tho pay of colonel July 25. 1876.
being then over sixty-two years OF age. The lieu
eenants elder brother an artist now In Europe has
won reputation equal to his sires. Lieutenant
wcir was hardly thirty years old He had fair
face. gray eyes. . light mustacho. light brown
hair. . pleasant smile. . gentlo manner and
cheerful disposition. and no Is bcwailod tonight by
20 many Of his acquaintances among the troops ut
Rswlins - to indicate general grof his fate
Lieutenant Weir was native of New York and q
graduate Of tho West Point Military Academy, which
he entered ~ cadet July 1. 1866. He appointed
second lieutenant In tho Fifth Artillery, but was
transferred to the Ordnance Department November
!. 1874. receiving q commission Of first lieutenant
SETTLERS NEWLY ALARMED.
His death and the shooting. on tho morning of the
10th. Of the young man. William Ward. near Boggs
Rancho. about sixty-hve miles south Of Rawiins,
together with sanguinary reports from North Park,
have again alarmed the people Of Northern
Colorado aud Southern Wyoming. Fears are
expressed by ranchmen and others lest
the young and implacablo warriors among the
Utes, dividing themselves into small parties may
get in Mcrritts and steal stock and commit de-
sultory MURDERS Tho fatc OF the supply train ON
the way to Merritt from Rawlins. which went with
small escort. is also discussed tonight with con-
siderable anxiety.
wxIR's BODY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN PURSUIT
OF HIS MURDEREIs.
tBy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD