River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-10-09
INDIAN MASSACRE.
The Ute Indians OF the White River Agency
on the War Path.

Inc Ut6 INDIANS OF tne W Hite RlfcE aS~Oncy
on the War PATH
Major Thornburgh's command was at
tackled in Bad Canon, at noon, October
LIST, one mile or so from Milk river, Colo
RADIO, ON his march to the White River
agency. He ietreated in good order to
the wagon train, where he entrenched as
fast as possible. Thornburgh was killed
instantly during the retreat. Captain
Payne was wounded in two places slight
ly. Lieut.. Paddock and Capt. Grimes
were also painfully but not dangerously
wounded. Ten enlisted men and wagon
master McKInstry were killed and at
least twenty-five men and teamsters were
wounded. The red devils fired the
grass around the troops to burn them
out.
Mrs. Gordon, whose freight outfit OF In
iian supplies was near when the fight
commenced, has been burned by the fire.
Also the company wagons OF company T,
Fifth cavalry. Capt. Payne had his
horse killed, and Lieut.. Cherry's was also
shot during the retreat. Capt. Lenwood
and Lieut.. Cherry are unhurt, though
men were killed all around them. About
three-fourths of the horses and mules
were killed.
As a wrong differences may be drawn
respecting the management OF the cam
paign against the Ute Indians, the follow
ing explanation is given: The Utes are
to the mountain Indians what the Chey-
ennes are to the crafty and willy plain
Indians. They are feared by all other
tribes who can i'll combat with them in
their own homes. The country which
they inhabit Is very rugged and noun
famous, and heavily timbered and just
the place for ambuscades. Old Indian
fighters are united in saying that the Utes
are willy, hard fighting and terocious,
and the best at planning ambuscades.
They are at the same time. treacherous
to the greatest degree, and though
Major Thornburgh expected they would
remain peaceable, it is reported that
he was nevertheless most vigllant and
cautious. There is nothing TO lead to
the inference that he was otherwise than
brave and intrepid, yet was caution it
self and never impetuous. His early
training in the service, amidst scenes cal
culated to school him to become a eau
tious soldier and good judge in such
matters, have commanded his attention
and fitted him for just this sort of work.
As paymaster and traveller he has been
in varied scenes tending to nerve him and
keep him well balanced, and winning
for himself reputation as scout and In
dian fighter. Therefore, the only infer
ence that can be drawn is, that Thorn
burg did not blunder. but fell into one of
the most
CAREFULLY LAID AMBUscADEs
and could not extricate the brave fellows
he had with him. The courageous act of
the courier who brought the news deserves
honorable mention, for thoug', under the
cover Of darkness, it may be difficult
task to cut off from the lines, yet on such
a night as this, with bright moon shin
ing out, the deed is attended with great
hazard.
ACTIVITY rs FORWARDING REINFORCE
MENTs.
The courier took the news direct to
Rawllns and by o'clock the intelligence
had been flashed to Fort Omaha. Gen.
Williams in less than a quarter of an
hour was at work giving orders AMI con-
sulting Gen Crook, who is in Chicago,
and ordering matters forward. Gen.
Merritt at Fort ID. A. Russell, Cheyenne,
was telegraphed to and ordered to the
command OF the expedition. The mes
sage was carried by the operator, who re-
ceived it at the latter place, to the gen.
eral at his headquarters on horse back at
break-neck speed. Gen. Merritt at once
began preparing for the expedition. The
same was true of arrangements at Camp
Douglas, Salt Lake, and no time was
lost, but everything perfected at short
notice.
At Forts Mcpherson and Sanders this
activity was duplicated. The Union Pa
cific railway worked in harmony with
the military.
FURTHER LOSSES NOT ANTICIPATED.
Military authority are unanimous in the
belief that the worst has been told, for
Lieut.. Payne is strongly entrenched, near
to water, we'll prouisiOned, and will further
fortify himself by throwing up Garth
works, which, with the wagon trair, will
enable him to hold his own till reinforce
ments appear, which will be soon.
QUICK TIME Br GEN. TERRY.
In compliance with instructions from
Gen. Sheridan, Gen. Terry dispatched or
ders at once to Fort Smelling, and the
troops garrisoned there were ready and
on the cars at 7:15 o'clock p NJ his
movement of troops strips Fort Smelling
CT its regular garrison, which will be re-
placed by 20 recruits destined for the
18th infantry at Fort Assinniboine, and
who arrived only the day before at Fort
Smelling.
MAJOR r. T. THoRSBURG.
Major Thomas T. Thornburg, the off {,
Ger whose death is reported, is graduate |
of the military academy of the class Of |
1867, being promoted to a second lieu /
tenant OF artillery. In 1870 he received |
his promotion to a first lieutenancy, |
an a pril 90, 1875, he was promoted to |
an original vacancy in the pay depart |
ment as major. May %, 1878, be effect |
ed a transfer with Major Henry G. |
Thomas. Since that time Major Thorn
buIgh has been on active dutT on the In
dian frontier. 1t viii be remembered that |
he became somewhat noted last winter
for disaster similar in many respects to /
this latter affair, in which he has lost his
life. He " as IN pursuit of hostile band
Of Indians, when overtaken by storm, lost |
his command in the Bad Lands of Nebras-
ka, and was rescued after enduring many
hardships and bordering on condition
of starvation. The nature of the affair
ending so tragically for the young officer,
is not known, but judging from the
meagre details at hand, the bad luck at
tending Major Thornburgh has followed
him even TO bis death. Major Thorn
burgh was man of genial manners,
favorite among his classmates, and with
the acquisition of experience : could have
become an ornament and useful officer
to the service. He was appointed from
Tennessee, being a son of Congressman
Thornburgh Of that State.