Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-10-17

The courier from the front brings the
following from an officer with Payne's
command:
BATTLEFIELD, MILK RIVER, COL,
Oct. 3, 6p. m, !
with dispatches If possible. The Indians still
surround us and pour in an effective fire from
commanding bluffs, at distance of five or
six hundred yards, having cross fire upon
our position, which was chosen hastily on the
first day of the fight. All our horses and all
but twelve mules have been killed. We shell
tered them as best we could with wagons, but
to no purpose Captain Dodge and Lieuten-
ant Hughes with Company d, Ninth Cavalry,
came to our rescue yesterday morning at day
break, after a forced night march of thirty
five miles from Bear River. Cheer upon cheer
rent the air from our trenches when it was
ascertained who were coming. A lull in the
firing enabled them to come In and shelter
their horses as well as possible, taking to the
Notifications quickly when the attack re-
doubled its fury. Had the heights been ac-
cessible Captain Dodge would have charged
them with his company while we covered
them from our rifle pits, but this being
utterly impossible, the ascent being near
ly perpendicular, all we could do dur
ing the day was to keep a good look out
from the loophOles and return the fire when
any Indian showed his head. This, however,
was rare occurrence, as the Indians have
rifle pits and loopholes. Before dark every
morse Dub JDTcC Oh captain DOOBe'B command
was shot down. A very fortunate thing tor
us has been that the Indians have left us un-
molested at night, with the exception Of an
occasional shot to make us scatter to our pits.
We have been able, at great risk, TO haul off
our dead animals every night, otherwise the
stencil would be intolerable. A sally is made
every night for water, a distance of 200 yards
from our intrenchments. Captain Dodge
brought us cheering news. He says that our
dispatches reached Bear River safely, and
a H. I.
been counting the hours which 1t will proba-
bly, take for relief to reach us. We all agree
that General Merritt, from Fort Russell, with
the companies of the Fifteenth Cavalry there,
and all other available troops, will be or
dered to our rescue, as they will all be needed
to finish the campaign. The field of battle
was admirably chosen for defense by the
Indians, and had it not been for Major
Thornburg's advance guard, commanded by
Lieutenant Cherry, discovering the ambus-
cade, the entire command would have been
anDihilated. He saw party of Indians dis
appear over hill half mile in 'front.' and at
once divided his party to reconnoitre, and only
discovered them when he had flanked their
position by about two hundred yards. Cherry
rode back at full speed with two or three men
who were with him, and notified Major Thorn
burgh, who had already begun the descent
into the deep ravine which was intended to
engulf the command. The Indians were dis
mounted and lying down along the crest of
Jne Dlgn Sleeps Wnere tle deadly assault
would have commenced. The troops were
withdrawn a short distance, dismounted
and deployed in line of battle, with orders to
await the attack of the Indians, but Cherry was
here ordered by 1hornburgh to take detach-
ment of fifteen picked men and make a recon-
noisance, and communicate, if possible, with
the Indians, as it was thought that they
only desired to oppose his approach to their
agency, and would parley or have big talk
If they could be communicated with. Cherry
H.. 4. II
the right flank, and noticed a little move
ment of about twenty Indians from the
left of the Indian position. He approached
to within a couple of hundred yards of the
Indians and took off his hat and waved it,
but the response was a shot fired at him,
wOunding man of his party and killing his
horse. This was the first shot and it was
instantly followed by yolley from the In
dians. The work had now begun in earnest,
and seeing the advantage of the position he
held, Cherry dismounted his detachment and
deployed along the crest OF the hill to pre-
vent the Indians from fanking his position,
or To cover the retreat If found necessary, to
retire upon the wagon train which was then
coming up slowly. Orders were sent to
pack the wagons and cover them with the
company guarding them. The two companies
in advance were Captain Payne, Co. F, 5th
Cavalry, and Captain Lawson's Company f,
Sd Cavalry, which were dismounted and de-
ployed as skirmishers, Captain Payne on the
ltlJ anu captain Law son on rlglJ.
From Cherry's position he could see that
the Indians were trying to cut him off from
the wagons, and at once sent word to Major
ThOrnburg who withdrew the line slowly,
keeping the Indians in check until opposite
the point which his men had, when seeing
that the Indians were concentrating to cut
off his retreat, Captain Payne, with Co. F,
Fifth Cavalry, was ordered to charge the hill
which he did In gallant style, his horse being
shot under him, and several of his men
wounded. The Indians having been driven
from this point, the company was rallied on
the wagon train. Major Thornburgh then
gave orders to Cherry to hold his position and
cover Captain Lawsons retreat, who was or
dered to fall back slowly with the lead horses
of his company. Cherry called for volunteers
OF twenty men who responded promptly and
fought with desperation. Captain Lawson,
the brave old veteran, displayed the greatest
GOODNESS and courage during this retreat,
sending up pammunition to Cherry's men when
once they we're nearly without it. Major
Tbornburgh started back to the wagon train
after giving his final orders to Captain Payne
to charge the hill, and to Captain Lawson
and Lieutenant Cherry to cover the re-
treat. He must have been shot dead when
barely half way there, as his body was seen by
one of Captain Lawson's men, life extinct, and
lying on his face. Captain Payne, then in
command, at once set about having the wound
ed horses shot for breastworks, dismantliDg
the wagons of boxes, bundles of bedding,
corn and -four sacks, which were quickly piled
up for fortincations, Picks and shovels were
used vigorously for digging entertainments,
meantime CALLING fire was concentrated up
on the command from all the surrounding
bluffs, which commanded the position. Not
one Indian could be seen, but the inces-
SAINT cracks of their Sharp and Winchester
rifles dealt fearful destruction among horses
and men. The groans of the dying and the
| agonizing cries OF the wounded told what
| fearful havoc was being made among the
| determined and desperate command. Every
| man is bound to sell his life as dearly as pos
| sible About this time q great danger was
approaching at frightfully rapid pace, The
| red devils at the beginning of the fight had
| set fire to the dry grass and to the sage brush
| to the windward of our position, and 1t now
comes sweeping down towards us. The flames
were leaping higher into the air and immense
| volumes of smoke rolling on to engulf us.
| 1t was a sight to make the stoutest heart
| quail, and the tiends were ready to give us
a Volley as soon as we were driven from
our shelter. Now 1t reaches the flank,
| and blankets, blouses and empty sacks were
used to extinguish the flames. Some of
| the wagons were set on fire, which required
all the forces possible to smother it. No
| water could be obtained, and the smoke Is
suffocating, but the fire passes, and we will
| hold our position. Meantime constant vol.
ley is poured upon us, Captain Payne being
| wounded for the second time, and First Ser
geant Dolan, of Company f, instantly killed,
McKinstry and Mckee killed, and many 9th
ers wounded. Our greatest danger now
is past. The men have now mostly GOV
cred themselves, but the poor horses and
mules are constantly falling about us. Just
about sundown charge was attempted, but
was repulsed. The Indians were trying u
drive of our horses which had broken loose
| The attack ceased at dark and soon every mar
was at work enlarging trenches, hauling about
the dead horses, caring for the wounded anC
burying the dead. Atdaylight the attack wal
resumed and the firing OF the sharpshooterl
has been kept up every day since, and occa
scramble. This is the fifth day of our seige
but we are determined TO hold TO It II 1t take
a month for suecor to reach us. But we ar
confident that General Merritt, whose nam
is upon the lips of every one, is on the roaI
| to rescue us.
A Terrible Railroad Accident.