The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-08
THE INDIAN s


noiu, uiih hlFeTs Ooii OcC. ., D. m.-A
courier will leave some time tonight with
dispatches if possible. Indians still sur
round US aud pour in an effective fire
from the commanding bluffs at distance
of 500 or 900 yards, having cross fire
upon our position. which position was
chosen hastily on the first day of the fight.
All onr khorses and all but twelve mules
have been killed. We sheltered them as
best we could with wagons, but TO no pur-
pose. Capt. Dodge and Lieut.. Hughes.
with 20. d., 9th cavalry, came to our
rescue yesterday morning at day break,
after forced nights march of thirty five
miles, from Bear River. Cheer upon
cheer rent the air from our trenches when
1t was ascertained who they were. A
lul in the firing enabled them to come 10
and shelter their horses as we'll as possi-
bic, taking TO the fortiica;ion quickly
When the attack redoubled its fury: had
the heights been accessible, Capt. Dodge
would have charged them with bis com
pany, while we covered him from our rife
pits, but this being utterly impossible, the
ascent being nearly perpendicular, all we
could do during the day was to keep
good look out from the loop holes and re-
turn the fire when an Indian showed his
head. This, however, was a very rare
occurrence, as the Indians have rife pits
and loop holes. Before dark every horse
but three OF Capt. DOdge's command was
shot down. A very fortunate thing for us
has been that the Indians have lett 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 in
fpl a IS
for water, a distance of 200 yards from
our intrenchmeDts. Night betose last a
private OF Co. f. was shot in the face
while out with party after water. The
Indians were only few yards away and
were driven off by volley from the guard
and trenches. Capt. Dodge brought us
the cheering news that our dispatches
reached Bear River safely, and would un
doubredly reach Rawling. We have been
counting the hours which it will probably
take for relief to reach US, and We all agree
that Gen Merritt, from Fort Russell. with
the companies OF the 5th cavalry there,
and all other available troops will be or
dered to our rescue, as they will all be
needed to finish the campaign.
CHEYENNE IVY, Sept. So a. NJ
The following is just received from Major
Gilliss, at Rawlins:
RAwLINs, Oct. 8.-The mai! carrier
from Snake River just in reports that Mer
ritt reached PayDe's command on Monday
afternoon, after a severe fight. killing 81
Indians He found them all right. The
colored cavalry company joined Payne last
Friday night, losing all their horses but
two in doing so. The mail carrier knows
nothing about the condition of the officers
and men. Companies of-the Fourteenth
Regiment were at least "a hours behind
Merritts command.
(Signedl G1LLIss.
PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT.
The two companies in advance were
Can't, Payne, Co, F.. 5th cavalry. and
Capt Lawson's Go. E, Sd cavalry. which
were dismounted and deployed as skirm-
ishers. Capt. Payne on the lett and Capt.
Lawson on the right. From Cherry's
position he could see that the Indians
we're trying to cut him off from the wagons
and at once sent word to warn Thorn
burgh, who then withdrew the line slowly,
keeping the Indians 10 check until oppo-
site the point which his men had, when
seeing that the Indians were concentrating
TO cut off his retreat, Capt. Payne with
company of 5th cavalry, was ordered TO
charge the bill, 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.
Mai. Thornburgh then gave orders to
Cherry to hold his position and cover
Can't. Lawson's retreat, who was ordered
to fall back slowly with the led horses OF
bis company. Cherry called for volun-
teers of twenty men who responded
promptly.
Cherry moved out at a galiop with his
men from the right flank, and noticed
like movement of about 20 Indians from
the left of the Indian position. lie ap-
preached to within a couple OF hundred
wards of the Indians and took OFT his hat
and waved it, but the response was shot
fred at him woundlDg a man OF his party
and killing his horse. This was the hrst
shot and was instantly followed by vol-
lev from the Indians. The work had now
begun in real earnest and seeing the ad-
vantage of the position he held. Cherry dis
mounted his detachment and displayed
along the crest of the hill to prevent the
Indians following his position, or to cover
the retreat if found necessary TO retire up
on the wagon train, which was then COM
ing up slowly, guarded by LIT. Paddock,
Co ID. 5th cavalry. Orders were sent to
to park the wagons and to cover them with
the company guarding them.
The field of battle was admirably chosen
for defence by the Indians and had it not
been for Major Thornburgh's advance
guard commanded by Lieut.. Cherry dis
covering the ambuscade the entire com
mand would haye been annihilated. lie
saw small party of Indians disappear
| over hill half a mile in front, and at once
divided his party and reeonnoitered, and
only discovered them when he had tanked
their position By about 300 yards. Cherry
rode back at full speed with two or three
men who were with him, and notified Nal.
Thornburg, who had already begun the
descent into the deep ravine which was
! intended to engulf the command. The
Indians were dismounted and lying down
along the crest of the high, steep ridge,
not a hundred feet from the point where
the deadly assault would have commenc-
ed. The troops were EithdFasu a short
distance, dismounted, and deployed 10 line
of battle, with orders 10 await the Indians.
1t Cherry was here ordered by Thorn.
burgh to take detachment OF 10 picked
men and make reconnaissance and com
muuicate If possible with the Indians. as II
was thought that they only desired TO op.
pose his approach to their agenay. and
would parley or have q big talk If they
could be communicated with.
COLORADO.
DENVER, Col. S.-The election in this
1 r..