The New York herald., 1879-10-09
"FHE COLORED TROOPS FOUGHT NODLY.'
Twelve Killed and Forty-Three Wounded
Full List Of Casualties.
AGENT MEEKER'S MURDER
The Women and Children Spared
All Quiet at the Agency


RAwLLNs, Oct So A. NJ.
News of the most cheering character has just
been received here from the Indian country.
Captain Paynes surrounded command at Milk
River has been reinforced, both by General
Merritt and Captain Dodge's company Of
colored cavalry, which was supposed to have
been cut off and destroyed. This intelligence,
although in advance of official information, is
accompanied by full particulars. which are Of
the most reassuring nature. General Merritt
reached the vicinity of Payne's camp Monday
forenoon. He defeated the Indians with great
slaughter and without losing man, Monday
afternoon. He brought relief to the corralled
forces about nightfall, shortly after they had
been joined by Captain Dodge and his colored
company from another direction.
HOW THE NEWS WAS BROUGHT.
This important information is brought to this
place by William Humphrey, the mail carrier
from Snake River, point eighty miles distant.
He left Snake River ut ten o'clock yesterday
(Tuesday). William Lithy, one of Merritts
scouts had just arrived at Snake River, having
Monday night.
DECOYING THE INDIANS.
Lirhy reports that General Merritt, Oh his
approach to Payne's camp and when only few
miles from it, discovered hostile Utes filing out
from the neighboring canyons. The Indians
discovered Merritt ut the same moment, and
the General, perceiving this from their
actions, ordered his men to fall back in rapid
retreat. The Indians were encouraged by this
manGuvrc to rush from their hiding places, and
Merritt, pushing his troops to run, drew them
out ON the open plain He then gave the order
to wheel, which the men did with admirable
precision, showing in minutes space a
bristling front, where before had been SEEM
ING struggling rout
VICTORY OVER THE UTEs.
The General did not wait for the foe to attack.
In less than two minutes his men poured into
the Utcs fire which checked their advance
and forced them to seek every available cover
The battle, which began Monday afternoon,
lasted but few hours, during which
time the Indians suffered % loss of thirty
seven killed, while Merritt did not lose
q man. In fact the Utcs got such a severe
drubbing that they threw up white flag in
token Of their wish for parley. This was
granted by General Merritt, and several chiefs
entered his camp forthwith. Several Of the
chiefs were willing to surrender others were
not.
FARLEY WITH THE INDIANS.
Merritt told them that if they would give up
their arms and ponies he would do nothing
more with them for the present. One or
two chiefs asked whether Merritt intended 10
60 to the agency with his troops. lie replied
that he did. After brief consultation all
the chiefs agreed to common answer, which
was, that If United States soldiers invaded
their reservation they would fight them
yntil the last of tho Utcs Law dead
After this they left Mcrritt's camp and returned
to the canyons General Merritt then pushed
forward with all haste and joined Payne with
the remnant of Thornburgh's command.
RELIEVED ny THE coLoRED TROOPS.
The same Monday evening before Mcrritts
arrival Payne had been most gallantly succorcd
by colored company of forty-five men of tho
Ninth cavalry, under Captain Dodge. His com
pnny came down Bear River, past Steamboat
Springs, last Friday night, and learning of
Thornburgh's fight and Paynes situation. re-
solved to get to Paync's side at every hazard
In their attempt they were met by the besicgng
Utas- who turned upon them with fire 80 hot