Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-02
And Believed Capable of Defending
Their Position
UNTIL REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE
Gen. Merritt in Command of the Re-
ieying Force, and Troops Going
Forward Rapidly.
SIX COMPANIES FROM ST, PAUL
Dispatched by Special Train Last
Evening - Sketch Of Major
Thornburgb, Etc, Etc.

MILK RIVER, Colorado, Sept. 29.-Major
Thornburgh's command, was attacked in Bad
Canon at noon, to-day, ono mile or so from
here,on our march to the agency. He retreat
cd in good order to the wagon train where
we are entrenching ourselves as fast as pos
sible.
MAJOR THORNBURGH KILLED.
$3.50 P. M.-Thornburgh was killed in
stantly during the retreat. Capt. Payne was
wounded in two places slightly. 1t. Pad
dock 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 team
sters were wounded. The command is now
very we'll sheltered, but now and then are
heard the guns of new hostiles who have
just arrived. Our poor mules and horses
are getting it all round. The red devils fred
the grass around US to burn US out.
STILL HOLDING OUT.
Or. H., 29th.-We still hold our position.
Every man is busy digging trenches, hauling
out the dead inmates for defense for to-
morrow, for we fully expect them back at
daylight.
SUPPLIES BURNED.
5 p. NJ, 29th.-Our courier, Joe. Rankin,
has volunteered to carry dispatches to Raw.
Inns. Mrs. Gordon, whose freight outfit of
Indian supplies was near US when the fight
commenced, has been burned by the fire.
Also the company wagons of company F,
Fifth cavalry. Capt. Payne had his horse
killed, and Lieut.. Cherry's was also shot dur
ing the retreat. Capt. Lenwood and Lieut..
Cherry arc unhurt, though men were killed
all around them. About three-fourths of
our horses and mules have been killed.
Should reinforcements reach us in five days,
we can hold out very we'll with our supplies
and ammunition.
REPORTS TO SHERIDAN.
Cu1cAao, Oct. 1.-Lieut. Gen. Sheridan
has the following dispatches regarding the
Indian fight:
10 General Crook. Omaha:-I have ordered
Merritt with four companies from Fort Rus
sci, and two companies from Fort McPher-
son, all that can be spared from Sanders and
four companies from Douglas,to rendezvous
at once at Ratings. This gives $50 men
ordered. Two companies from Robinson,
one from Laramie and one from Fetterman
to march at once to the railroad to meet
emergencies. ellis is ordered to confer
with Merritt and forward transportation.
Have you any orders?
(SigneD II. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Second dispatch like the above is dated,
Fort Omaha--To Gen. Crook:-The follow
ing is received: Milk River, Colorado, Sept.
20, $50 P. NJ, via Rawlins, Wyoming, Oct.
5.--Assistant Adjutant General, department
of Platte, Omaha. This command, COM
posed of three companies of cavalry, was
met mile south of Milk river by
SEVERAL HUNDRED UTE INDIANS,
who attacked and drove us to the wagon
train with great loss. It becomes q very
painful duty to announce the death of
Major Thornburg, who fell in harness, the
painful but not serious wounding of Lieut..
Paddock, and DR.. Grimes, ten enlisted men,
and the wagon master, with the wounding of
about twenty men and Transfers. ] am
ooralled near water. After desperate fight
since 10 o'clock this morning we hold our
position. I shall strengthen during the
night, and believe we can hold out until re-
Inducements reaches US, if they are hurried
Officers and men behaved with the greatest
gallantry. I am also slightly wounded in
two places.
(Signed)~ PAYNE, Commanding.
Il. WILLIAMS, Asst. Adjt. General.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE UTEs.
OMAHA, Oct. las q wrong inference may be
drawn respecting the management of the cam
paigu against the Ute Indians, the following
explanation is given The Utes are to the
mountain Indians what the Cheyennes are to
the crafty and willy plain Indians. They are
feared by all other tribes who can ill combat
with them in their own homes. The country
which they inhabit is very rugged and noun
taiuous and heavily timbered, and just the
place for ambassadors. Old Indian fighters
arc united in saying that the Utes are willy,
hard fighting and ferocious, 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