The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-09
The corra,.ed Command Relieved.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES REACH THE De,
LEAGUERED COMPREHENSIVE DETAILS OF
THE BATTLE.
CHEYENNE. October S.-k courier from
the front brings the following from an off.
Ger with Pavne's command:
Battlefield. Alik River, October 3-6 p.
MA courier Will leave some time tonight
with dispatches il possible. The Indians
still surround us and pour in effective fire
from the commanding bluffs at distance OF
five or six hundred yards, having cross
fire upon our portion, which position was
chosen hastily on the first day OF the fight.
All our horses and all but twelve mules
have been killed. We sheltered them as
best we could with wagons. but 10 no pur-
pose. Captain Dodge and Lieutenant
Hughes, with Company D, Ninth cavalry.
came TO our rescue yesterday morning at
daybreak, after n forced nights march OF
thirty-tive miles from Bear river.
CHEER UPON CHEER RENT THE AIR
from our trenches when it was asccrtained
who were coming. y lull in the firing ena-
bed them to come in and shelter their
horses as we'll as possible, taking to the for
titications quickly when the attack re-
doubled Its fury. Had the heights been
accessible, Captain Dodge would have
charged them with his company while we
covered him from our rifle pits, but this
being utterly impossible, the ascent being
nearly perpend'cular, all we could do du-
ring the day was 10 keep 4 good lookout
from the loop-holes and return the fire
when any Indian showed his head. This,
however, was very rare occurrence, rs the
Indians had riflc-pits and loop-holes. Be-
fnra ri t,,t ri1 nf in
Dodge's command was shot down. A very
fortunate thing for IL has been that the In.
dams have left us unmoles'ed at night, with
the exception Of an occasional shot to make
Us scatter to our pits. We have been able
ut great risk to haul off Our dead animals
every night, otherwise the stencil would be
intOlerable.
THE TROUBLE TO GET WATER.
A sally is made every night for water-a
distance OF 200 yards from our entrench-
mems. Night before last Private Erser, OF
Company T, was shot in the face while out
with a party after water. The Indians were
only few yards away, and were driven off
by volley from the guard in the trenches.
Captain Dodge brought rs the cheering
news that our dispatches reached Bear
river safely. and would undoubtedly reach
which it will probably lake for relief to
reach us. We all agree that General Mer-
rift, from Fort Russell, with companies OF
the Fifth cavalry there, and all other avail
able troops, Will he ordered to our rescue,
as they will all be needed 10 finish the cam
paign.
THE FIELD OF BATTLE
was admirably chosen for defence by the
Indians, and had il not been for Major
advance guard, commanded
by Lieutenant Cherry, discovering the am
buScade, the entire command would have
been annihilated. He saw small party OF
Indians disappear over the hill half
mile in front, and at once divided bis party
to reconnoitre. and only discovered them
when he had tlankrd their position by about
200 yards. Cherry rode back at full speed,
with two or three men who were with him,
and notified Major Thornburgh, who had
already begun his descent into the deep ra-
vine which was
INTENDED 70 ENGULF TIE COMMAND.
The Indians were diSmountcd and living
down along the crest OF the high. steep
ridge for IL hundred yards from the point
where the deadly assault would have COM
The troops were withdrawn 4
short distance, diSmounted, and dcployed
in line OF battle, with orders to await the
attack OF the Indians. Lieutenant Cherry
was here ordered by Thornburgl to take
detachment OF fifteen picked men and make
a II connoi>Sance. and communicate, ii pos.
sible, with the indians. rs ii was thought
they only desired to oppose his approach TO
their agency, and would parley or have a
big talk il they could be communicated
,:.l,
his men from the right flank, and noticed a
hike movement Of about twenty Indians
from the lett OF the Indian position. He
approached to within Il couple OF hundred
yards OF the Indians and took of his hat
and waved it. but the response was shot
fred at him, which wounded man OF his
party and killed his horse. This was
THE FIRST SHOT,
and was instantly followed hya volley from
the Indians. Work had now begun in real
earnest, and seem" the advantage OF the
position he held, cherry dismounted his
detachment and deployed along the crest OF
the hill to prevent the Indians flanking his
position or to cover his retreat if found ne
ceSsary to retire upon the wagon train,
which was then coming up slowly, guarded
by Lieutenant Paddock, Company D, Fifth
cavalry. Orders were sent to park the WA
CONS and cover them with the company
guarding them. Two companies We're in
Payne, Company F., Fifth
cavalry. and Captain Lawson, Company E.
Third cavalrv-which We're dismounted
and depoYed as Skirmi>hers, Captain Payne
on the LETT and Captain Lawson on the
right from Cherry, position. He could
see that the Indians were trying to cut him
off from the wagons. and at once sent word
to Major Thornburgil, who then withdrew
his line slowly,
KEEPING THE INDIANS ~ CHECK
until opposite the point which his men held,
when, >ecin- that.Ille indians were concen-
tratinc to cut off his retreat, Captain Payne,
with Company T. Fifth cavalry. was or
dered to charge the hill. which lie did in GAL
liant style. his horse heinz shot under him
and several OF his men wounded.
The Indians having been driven from
this poin', the company was rallied on the
wacon-train. Major hornburgh then gave
orders to Cherry TO hold his position and
cover Captain Lawson retreat. who was or
dered 10 fall back slowly with the horses OF
his company. Cherry called for volunteers
OF twenty men, who responded promptly.
and
FOUGHT WITH DESPERATION.
Their names will be given in later dis
patch. as nearly every man was wounded
before be reached camp and two men were
killed. Cherry brought every wounded
man in with him.
Captain Lawson, the brave old veteran,
displayed tue greatest caimnesS and cour-
age during this retreat, sending up ammu-
nit To l'iIerrrHS When once they