The New York herald., 1879-10-17
HOSTILE SAVAGES.

GENERAL MERRITT ON THE MARCH TO GRAND
RIvER-No SIGNS OF THE INDIANS OR NEWS
OF THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN
TIES OF TRANSPORTER ATIoN--cosr OF THE WAR
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
RAwLISs. Wy. T.. Oct. lG 1879.
In response to q despatch sent by the writer to
General Crook at Fort Steele. requesting the tenor
of his dispatches received to-day by courier from
General Merritt the following response is at this
moment received by telegraph
A letter. dated the 18th inst. from the White
River Agency, written by General Merritt says that
he General Merritr has given orders to day
for Grand River. aud that he ultimately expected
bring up at Uncomapahgere Agency General Merritt
adds. however. that severe storm had set in and
that he would have to wait for Colonel Gilbert's
command TO arrive. which he expected on the fol-
lowing day. General Merritt transmit news in
addition to what he has previously sent.
THE WOMEN CHILDREN.
There is news in regard to the women and children
who were at the agency.
The above despatch from General Crook to your
correspondent shows that Merritt. who in his last
despatch seemed to await instructions. has taken
the bit in his teeth and ia determined
to go ahead IL no without further instructions
added to his general ones. The delay he specifics
caused by tho storm may enable him to
receive the messages sent by the last
two couriers from Rawns, one of whom
carried the dispatches communicated to General
Sherman by Secretary Schurz. Gilberts six COM
panies of the Seventh infantry, numbering 800 men.
were accompanied by three cavalry companies from
Rawlins. which may have reached White River be-
fore the infantry.
Payne's and Dodges commands reported by
William Hes. the rider from Bear River hav-
ing cncamped on the muddy creek about
Tonight they expected to reach Soldier Wells forty
five miles from liawlins. Tomorrow night they ann
to reach Lamberts. seventeen miles further this
way. They hoped to arrive at Rawlns Saturday.
FUTILE SEARCH INDIANS.
courier just in from General Merritts som-
mand -, reports that the troops were at
have b., been n,., ,,;S" scouting throughout the
Gp i that thu
have gone south and split into small bands. going
into the various agencies. 1t looks as though the
out those OF the savage tribe who brought on the
trouble.
TRANSPORTATION QUESTION.
| Merritt. ii he decides to move southwark must
rations enable him to make dashes of ten days at
time. He may be able to take wagons further
SOUTH but the testimony is against that possibility
That his pack trains. with which he marched to
Paynes relief, are in sorry plight, is proved from
the letters OF two packers received here.
That base of supplies must be established at
near the White River Agency is the universal opin-
ion of officers here and those who have heard
from at the 'front.' Merritt will not find pound to
eat except what sent him. as the Utes left
living thing ut the agency nor anything edible.
They drove off all the cattle and threw all the flour
to the winds In case supplies sho ud not reach the
agency there would he nothing left for the troops
butmule meat to be eaten to the detrment of their
transportation. All hope that affairs will not reach
that pinch. but this bitter storm suggests disap-
pointment while 1t continues.
COST OF THE PRESENT
That you may judge of the probable cost of the
present Ute war have obtained OF Captain Gills.
depot quartermaster at this point. the following
estimate of the extra expense OF transportation,
animals. wagons. teamsters, ammunition and other
supplies already incurred This estimate covers, in
the first place, the cost OF bringing everybody and
everything from the posts where the troops were
previously stationed to Rawlins Next it the
cost of sending all forward to White River Agency.
The cost of rations is not of course. embraced in
the estimate. as that would be incurred by the
troops whether at post or on the march.
Cost of transportation to Rawlins of 1900
men at $2O eacn. S30,OOO
Transportation of 100 cavalry horses at IS
each. ........................... ............ 5000
transportation of l50 wagons at S25 each.. . $3.50
Transportation of 270 pack mules at So
each. ........................ 1875
Transportation Of 200 civilian employees at
rsnseortatiou su Of 1000 raions eisnt car Aoo
loads at 500 per carl ................... SEQ
| Transportation of G0oO0O pounds of forage
(thirty car loads at 500 per car). 5000
Transportation OF baggage harness, saddles.
&c thirty carloads at $3.50 per car). ....... 4500
Transportation of ammunition. &C., from
! Rawlins to and ut the front here of 500, ,00O
| lbs. of citizens transportation at six
cents pound. .......................... $4,000
| Transportation of 100 additional employees
at ffty dollars apiece. including rations... 5000
| Transportation hire Of scouts and guides. 5000
| Wear and tear of animals. including cost of
replacing the horses lost by Payne and
Dodge-soO horses. at sl25................ 100 900
Ammunition expended by Thornburgh's and
Payne's commands. 160 rounds per man, at
three cents per round. 100 men being en-
gagged .......................... 4so
Ammunition sent out to supply the total
estimated forco of 1900 men,. ............. 5000
Total ......................... $3.50 9o5
This. in round numbers $500, 900, is a moderate
estimate for only one month. since Capt. Gillis
ceived his first orders October l. Should the
troops be recalled within the month there would be
additional charge of at least 100000 for their