South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-10-10
A Battle with the Utes.


from MIX river. Col. states that Major
Thornburgh's command, composed OF
three companies OF cavalry, was attack
ell in bad canyon, September 30, near
that place, Ivy several hundred hostile
White River Ute Indians. aud retrea,ed
TO the wagon train and entrenched.-
During tue retreat Major Thoruburph
was instantly killed, Capt Payne was
wounded in two places slightly. and
Lieut.. Paddock and Capt. Grimes were
each painfully. but not dangerously
wounded. Thirteen enlisted men. Low.
cry, courier, and Wagonmaster Me
kinsley were killed, and twenty soldiers
and teamstors wounded. The hostile
Indians pursued, and. besides picking
OFF the horses and mules wherever seen.
fired the grass all around to burn out the
camp. Gordon's freight outfit Of In
dian supplies, which was near, was burn
ed by the fire, also the wagons of com.
pany +. Capt. Payne had hi. horse kill
ed, and Lieut.. Cher,t's was sho. during
the retreat. About three rourths OF the
horses and mules were Killed. The com.
Itiand expected TO lie able 10 hold out
for FIVE days, within which time they
hoped TO get achievements. Joe Ran
kin, thc courier of the command. volun-
Leered to carry dispatches TO Rawlins.
The wife of Captain Payne, now ia
Washington, received a telegram from
him this afternoon corrohorating the &C
count of the fight.
n dispatch was also received at the
War Department this afternoon, dated
Milk River, Sept. %. $50 T. NJ, via
Rawlings Wyoming, Oct. from Capt.
Payne, confirming the foregoing account.
announcing the death of Mai Thorn.
burgh, who fell in harness. and adding
Il am corralied near water. with about
three tourths OF my animals killed, ar
ter desperate fight since II Nj. We
hold our position. | shall strengthen
during tue night, and believe we can hold
out until reiulorccments reach us if they
are hurried. Officers and men behaved
with the greatest gallantry.'
Col. Merritt has been ordered with
four companies from Fort Russell, two
from Fort Mcpherson, oil that can be
spared from Sanders, and four compan.
les from Douglass, to rendezvous ut once
at Rawlings. This gives $50 men
Two companies have been ordered from
Robinson and one from Laramie TO
march ut once to the railroad to meet
emergencies. The White River Utes
arc superior warriors, and very difficult
to handle.
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS Is hanger.
Hon. 5. w. Downey, Delegate TO Con.
gress from Wyoming, telegraphcd Post
master General Key to-day, stating that
First Assistant Postmaster General Ty-
ner AMI party wore travelling through
the Ute Indian country, and were in
danger Of being attacked by the hos
tiles. The telegram also requested that
authority from the War Department be
dispatched TO Fort Sanders TO have the
party Informed Of their Immediate dan.
ger. Gen. Knapp, Chief Clerk of the
Postoifice Department, at once obtains
et the necessary authority from the
War Department, ani Mr.. Downey was
notified that the commanding officers at
Fort Sanders would afford any facili-
ties possible for the protection OF any
parties in the Ute country.
TIE LATEST.
RAWLINGS, WY. +, Oct. 2.-No news
was received from Payne's command to.
day. The mail carrier from the Ute o.
gency, due here tonight. has not yet mr..
rived. All sorts Of ruInOrs are ahoat.
but the only reliable information rccciv.
cd is the statement OF n ranchman nam.
ed Morgan, who arrived here to-day
from his ranch on Snake river On the
morning of the fight be heard heavy FIR
ing in the direction Of Tue battle-ground
Z en-. Merritt, with $50 cavalry, left here
at 1880 this morning, and will be fol
lowed by infantry Tomorrow. Merritt
was accompanied by the scout Rankin
Great excitement prevails here. Set
tiers from the vicinity OF the reserva-
ton are arriving hourly. Many white
men, freighters and hunters, are known
TO have been IN the ncighborbood Of the
Ute agency, and fears are entertained
for their safety.