The daily gazette., 1879-10-02
FIFTH EDITION.
TuORNBURGH KILLED

DESPERATE FIGHT BETwEEN THE UTEs
AND THE TROOPs-THE COMMAND
STILL sUkRcUNDED-ELEvE MEN
KILLED AND TWENTY-FIVE WOUND
KID,
RAwLINs, w. 4. Oct. AT ten
O'Clock OH the morning of the 20 h u!t.
the advance Of Thornburgh's command
encountered the Ute Indians at Milk
Greek Canyon, twenty-five miles from
White River, the Ute reservation. The
ludians opening fire the AL, ance fell
back to the main body, enly short dis
tAnce in the rear. The command form
ed In line Of battle and body Of In
dians numbering $50 made desperate
attack. While the attention of the COM
mand was thus attracted TO the front an
other body OF Indians succeeded In
throwing themselves In the rear of the
command, and between them and the
supply train, composed OF twenty five
wagons.
THoRNBURGH's FATAL CHARGE.
To save the train from capture Major
Thornburgh charges the Indians In his
rear, and the command reached the
wagn train and saved II from destruc-
tion. In the charge Major Thornburgh
while gallantly urging his men forward,
received a shot in his breast, inst antly
killing him. After reaching the train
the men Immediately commenced en-
trenching themselves undera very heavy
fire from the Indians. The mules and
horses being nearly all killed, were util-
lied In intrenchments. The fire of the
Indians was kept up with deadly effect
until eight o'clock in the evening when
the Indians drew Off short distance.
Major Thornburgh's command was com
posed Of three companies of the Third
cavalry, numbering 1S0 men.
THE CASUALTIES.
j. z. Rankin, scout for the expedition
arrived here last night at twelve o'clock
lie left the command at twelve O'Clock
On the 10Th ult., with dispatches fol
General Crook, and made the ride OF
100 miles on horseback in twenty-fou
hours. At the time of his leaving thorn
burgh's body was beyond the Indiar
lines. Eleven soldiers were reported
killed and thirty-four wounded.
Captain Payne was wounded in two
| places, not seriously.
Captain Lawson, slightly wounded.
Lieutenant Paddo. k, seriously wound
| ed IN hip.
Surgeon Grimes, slightly wounded
| Lieutenant Wolf, slightly wounded
CONDITION OF THE CoMBATANTs.
The Indians are well armed with Win
chester rifles, and are plentifully supple,
with ammunition. The expedition ha
provisions sufficient to last them six day
and may be able to hold out that lengtl
OF time II they retain their position.
The Indians had prepared an ambush
In the canyon through which they sup
posed the command would pass, bu; Ran
kin, the scout, led the troops around tn,
canyon, and the command wa
thus saved from another Custe
massacre.
1t is feared that the Utes have forme,
All alliance with the Arrapahoes an
Snakes and genei al Indian war will re
suit.
FEARS FOR THE COMMAND.
Several old officers of this department
express the opinion that II liz improbabl
that Merritt will reach Thornburg hi
command in time to save 1t. Genera
Williams says
81 have NO fears but Merritt will su
ceed In getting there In time to saw
them. They are in the best condition 70
such an emergency. L have known
comparatively smaller body of troops :
defend themselves for much Ionge
time against the Kiowas and under les
favorable circumstances.
When asked his opinion as to Agen
Meekers safety, General Williams SAT-
he had been more than usually forum
If not slain.