Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-11-13
THE INDIAN WAR.
Death of ThOrnburg. Official Rep
Captain Payne.

This modest and most admirable re.
port is received after | have finished
my annual report, else | should have
embraced it almost entire as better
description of the fight at Milk Creek
or Sept. Doth last.
CAPT. PAYNES REPORT.
Capt. PAYNE says: Lieut.. Cherry,
adjutant of the command, accom-
panied by the guide, Rankin and a
small part of the soldiers was in ad-
vance, and upon passing over some
high ground intermediate between the
road, we had left and the trail, discover
ed the Indians in heavy force
drawn up IN line of battle, or
more correctly speaking ly:rg in
ambush along the high ridges, which
completely covered and commanded
the road. With quick and soldierly
perception of the situation, Lieutenant
Cherry turned back and made signals
for the command to retrace its steps,
just as the leading company 5th caval-
ry, was descending the ridge into the
valley beyond. Company E. was i'm
medlately conducted to the side of the
hill in Its left flank. while c., third cav
airy, was halted on the high ground it
occupied, and both companies at once
dismountea and deployed skirmishers.
E., third cavalry on the right, along the
crest of the ridge, and F. 5th cavalry
well up the side of the hill, which con-
stantly ascending, stretched indefinitely
as the nature of ground would permit.
Other lines at this time resembled let
ter "V." The points towards the In
dians, and that portion of it formed by
F company, Fifth cavalry, projecting
considerably beyond the points of
junction, and being DETECTING to the
left SO as to prevent the enemy from
turning our flank. AT this time at
tempts were made by Maj. Thornburg,
in person, and by Lieut.. Cherry, to
communicate with the Indians; but the
efforts In that direction were met by
shots and at once a hot fire was open
ed on us and the fight began
all along our lives. The Indians had
displayed admirable skill in the selec-
ton OF groond upon which to give us
battle. With sound Judgment and a
quick perception OF the situation, Maj i.
Thornburg determined to form a iunc-
ton with Co. d., 9TH Cavalry, which
was protecting the wogon train aud with
that end in view directed COMPANIES
engaged to fail back slowly. The COM
mand retired as directed in perfect or
der, our horses being kept we'll drotect
ed between the skirmish lines Of the two
companies whilst heavy and effective
fire did good execution among the savag-
es preventing an attempt on their part
to break through our lines. Failing in
their efforts in front, the Indians endeav-
ored to cut the command off from the
train which had by Maj. Thornburh's
orders gone into a park on the right
bank of Milk river, and to accomplish
this purpose passed around our left flank
beyond carbine range and concentrated
in great force upon knoll to the left of
and completely commanding our line of
retreat. Major Thornburg discover
ing this new danger, directed me to
charge the knoll with twenty men CT
my company, to sweep the Indians off,
aud then at once, without attempting
to hold the hill, to fall back upon the
train and take measures for its prOtec-
ton. This duty being performed and
the way opened for return of the led
horses, [ repaired to the wagon train,
and at once took steps looking for its
defense.
DEATH OF MAI. THORNBURG.
Major Thornburg doubtless started
for the train shortly after giving me the
order referred to, and was shot and in
stantly killed, just after crossing the
river and within five hundred yards of
the wagons. His gallantry was con-
spicuous from first to last, and the grief
at his death was general and profound.
In the meantime Capt. Lawson, with
E company 3rd cavaly, and Lieut. Cher
ry. with detachme ent from E company,
3rd cavalry and f, 9th cavalry, gallant
ly held the Indians in check in front,
gradually retiring, Lieut.. Cherry with
his detachment covering the retreat.
PLAN OF DEFENSE.
Upon reaching the train [ found it
perched on high bank Of
Milk river, about two hundred
yards from the water, the wagons form
Ing the north side of corrall, eliptical
in shape, its long axis running east and
west, and the south side exposed to a
fierce fire from the Indians, who
massing In ravlnes along the river and
upon commanding heights, were max
ing a determined effort to capture and
destroy the train before it could be
placed in a condition for defense. Our
animals were crowded within the area
indicated, and l at once directed some
twenty or more of those wounded to be
led out and shot along the open
space referred to, thus making
continuous line of defense and affordipg
a corner for our sharpshooters. As soon
as these arrangements were completed,
the men were ordered to unload the
wagons and use the bedding, grain and
-four sacks for breastworks. [ cannot
speak too highly of their conduct at that
time. Though exposed to CALLING fire
by which many men and horses were
stricken down, they worked with alacri-
ty and courage, and in short time our
corral was in as good state of defense
as the means at hand would permit.
About this time Lieut.. Paddock, who
was encouraging the men by the expos
ure of his person, and intelligently and
courageously carrying out my instruc-
tions, was shot in the hip.
AS Capt. Lawson and Lieutenant
Cherry, whose gallant fight in covering
our retreat deserves high commentator
had not yet returned to camp, [ became
solicitious for their safety, and detach-
ed Sergeant Pope ofmy com pany with
II men to proceed down the road in
the direction from which they were ap-
preaching. In short time thereafter
was greatly relieved in seeing Capt.