River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-10-16

reached Bear River safely, and would I'M
doubtedly reach Rawlins. We have been
counting the hours which ii
will probably take for relief to
reach us. We we'll agree that Gen.
Merritt, from Fort Russell. with
company of the 9TH cavalry, there. and
all other available troops, will
be buried to our rescue they will al. be
needed 70 finish the campaign.
The field of battle was admirably op-
perfume for defense by the Indians, and,
had it not been for Major Thornsburg's
advance guard, commanded by Lieut.
Cherry discovering the ambuscade, the
entire command would have been
annihilated. He saw a small body of
Indians disappearing over hill half
a mile in front, and at once divided his
party reconnoitred, and only discovered
them when he had flanked their position
by about two hundred yards. Cherry
rode back at full speed with two or three
men, who were with him, and notified
Major Ihornburg, who had already be-
gun the descent into the deep ravine
which was intended to engult the COM
mand, the Indians here dismounted and
lying down along the crest of the high
steep ridge not one hundred yards from
the point where the deadly assault
would have commenced. The troops
were WIthdraWn short dis
lance and dismounted and deployed in
line of battle, with orders 10 await the at
tack of the Indians Lieut. Cherry was
ordered by Thornburg TO take detach-
ment of fifteen picked men and make a
reconnaissance and communicate, if pos
sible with the Indians, as it was thought
that they only desired to oppose his APP
proach TO their agency, and would par
ley or have "big TALK if they could be
communicated with. Cherry moved out
at gallop with his men from the right
flank, and noticed like movement of
about twenty Indians from the left of the
Indian position; he approached to with
IN couple of hundred yards of the In
dams and took off his hat and waived it,
but the response was shot fired at him,
wounding man of his party and killing
his horse. This was the first shot, and
was instantly followed by volley from
the Indians. The work had now begun
in real earnest, and seeing the advantage
of the position he held, Cherry dis
mounted and deployed along the
crest of the hill TO prevent the Indians
thanking his position or to cover the re
treat if it was found necessary to retire
upon the wagon train, which was then
coming up slowly guarded by Lieuten-
ant Paddock with Co ID, 9th cavalry.
Orders were sent to park the wagons
and to cover them with the company
guarding them. The two companies in
the advance were Captain Payne, Co. Il,
9th cavalry, and Captain Lawson, Co. E,
Sd cavalay, who were dismounted and
employed as skirmishers. Capt. Payne
on the left and Captain Lawson on the
right. From Cherry's position he could
see that the Indians were trying to cut
him off from the wagons, and at once
sent word to Major Thornburg, who then
withdrew the line, slowly keeping the
Indians in check until opposite the point
which his men held. When seeing that
the Indians were concentrating to cut
off his retreat, Payne, with the Fifth In
fantry company and Fifth Cavalry was
ordered to chrage the hill, which he did
in gallant style, his horse being shot
from under him and several of his men
wounded. The Indians having been
driven from this point, the company was
rallied in the wagon train. Maior Thorn
burg then gave orders to Cherry to hold
his position and cover Capt. Lawson's
retreat, who was ordered to fall back
slowly with the lead horses of his COM
pany Cherry called for volunteers OF
20 men, who responded promptly and
fought with desperation. Their names
will be given in later dispatches. Nearly
every man was wounded before he reach
ed camp, and two men were killed.
Cherry brought every wounded man in
with him. Capt. Lawson, a brave old
veteran, displayed the greatest coolneSs
and courage during this retreat, sending
up ammunition to Cherry's men, once,
when they were nearly without it. Maj
Thornburg started back to the wagon
train, after giving his final orders to Capt
Payne to charge the hill and to Capt.
Lawson and Lieut.. Cherry to cover the
return; he must have been shot dead
when barely half way there, as when his
body was seen by one of Capt. Lawson's
men, life was extinct and he was lying
on his face. Capt. Payne, who was then
in command, at once set about having
the wounded horses shot
for breastworks Dismounting the
wagons of boxes, bundles of bedding,
corn, flour sacks, ETC., they were quickly
piled up for defense. Picks and shovels
were used vigorously for digging en-
trenchments. In the meantime a CALLING
fire was concentrated upon the command
from all the surrounding bluffs which
commanded the position. Not an Indian
could be seen, but the incessant cracks
OF the Sharp's and Winchester
rifles dealt fearful destruction among
the horses and men; the groans of the
dying, and the agonizing cries of the
wounded told what fearful havoc was
being made among lie determined and
desperate command. Every man was
bound to sell his lifeas dearly as possible
about this time, as u great danger was
approaching at frightfully rapid
pace. The red devils at the beginning
of the fight had set fire to the dry grass
and to the sage brush to the windward of
our position, and it now came sweeping
down towards us; the flames leaping
high into the air, and immense volumes
of smoke rolling in to engulf us, formed
sight to make the stoutest heart quail;
the fiends were waiting ready to give us
volley as soon as we were driven from
our shelter. Now it reached the flank,
and the blankets, blouses and empty
sacks were freely used to exiting uish the
flames Some of the wagons were set on
fire, which required all the force possible
to smother it, but the fire passed and we
still held our position. In the meantime
a constant volley is poured in upon us,
Capt. Payne being wounded
for the second time, and
LIST Sergeant Dolan, of Company E,
kiled instantly. Mckenzie and Mckee
are killed and many others wounded.
Our greatest danger is now past. The
men have now mostly covered them
selves, but the poor horses and mules arc
falling about us. Just about
shutdown, q charge was attempted, but
was abandoned, as the Indians were try
ing to drive off some of our horses which
had broken loose. The attack ceased at
dark and soon every man was at work
charging the trenches, hauling out the
dead horses, caring for the wounded and
bur, ing the dead.
At daylight the attack was resumed,
and the firing of sharp-shooters has been
kept up every day ENTHUSIASTICALLY
at night, sending US to our pits in a
scramble
This is the fifth day of our siege, but
we are determined to hold out, if it takes
a month for succor to reach us; but we
are confident that Gen. Merritt, whose
name is on the lips of every one, is on
the road to rescue us. Total killed, II;
total wounded, 43.
LATFR-Oct. So 4. NJ Hurrah hur-
ran! Merritt has come, and the sur
ounding hills resound with the cheers of
welcome. Courier goes out at once.