The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-10-16

riors, who rode with him number
of miles and then left him.
Lowry arrived at the command,
then near Milk Creek, on the
evening of the 28th, and gave
Major Thornburgh the above informa-
ton. The next morning, September
20, the command advanced, under the
guidance of Joe Rankin, who is well
acquainted with the country. About
nine O'clock u. m. Rankin discovered
fresh Indian signs, and having arrived
at a canyon through which the road
passed, and which would afford an ex-
cellent opportunity for ambush, he led
the command around over the hill, over
an old trail well known to him. BY
this movement he saved the lives of the
command, for, on arriving on the top
of the hill, he discovered the Indians
in ambush on either side of the canyon
through which the road passed.
Thornburgh formed his men in line,
and awaited the coming attack. He
was repeatedly urged to fire on the
Indians, but persistently refused to do
SO, saying that his orders would not
Justify an attack. Two Indians now
rode up to within a hundred yards, dis
mounted, and, with a savage yell, fired,
shooting Captain Payne through the
arm. At this signal the Indians gave a
war-hOop, and the battle commenced.
Thornburgh now found that he
was surrounded. He ordered a
charge, which he gallantly led
in person, and succeeded in
cutting his way out, and, when within
about 800 yards of his wagon, he fell
dead with two bullets through his brain.
Captain Payne now took command, and
the battle was carried on until eight
o'clock p. M, the troops using the wag-
ons and animals as breastworks. The
Indians fell back short distance and
went into camp.
During the engagement Lowry was
killed.
The casualties are about as follows:
Killed-MajorT hornburgh, Lowry and
thirteen enlisted men, the Wagon-M Master
McKinstry, and one teamster.
Wounded-Captain Payne, Captain
Lawson; Surgeon Grimes, Lieutenants
Paddock and Wolf, and thirty-five men.
Major Thornburgh's body had not
been recovered when Rankin left with
the dispatches. Captain Payne had
fortified his position, and thought he
could possibly hold it until the arrival
of reinfOrcements in case they were
sent promptly.
About one hundred and fifty head of
horses and mules were killed by the
Indians.
| ho no ~
to Rawlins, and by three o'clock the in
telligence had been flashed to the Oma-
Ia barracks. General Williams, in
less than a quarter of an hour, was at
work giving orders, consulting General
Crook, who is in Chicago, and ordering
matters forward. General Merritt, at
Fort D. A. Russell, Cheyenne, was tel
egraphed to and ordered to the
command of the expedition. The
message was carried by the operator
who received it at the latter place to
the General at his headquarters, on
horseback, at breakneck speed. Gen
eral Merritt at once began preparing
for the expedition. He is one of the
best Indian fighters in the country, and
his troops have accomplished wonder
full things. At 11:45 o'clock this fore
noon he telegraphed General Williams
that he would be ready to start at four
o'clock to morrow morning with a
force of nearly $50 men, and animals
and provisions in plenty. A rapid
march will be forced, and relief will
soon reach the men in peril.
Major Thornburgh's body, as first
mentioned, has not been recovered, but
lies in front of his command, and can
not be procured.
He was very powerful man, fully
six feet two inches in height, active and
muscular to great extent, a magnif-
cent shot, and a daring horseman. He
had piercing black eyes, and wore a
black beard in the English style, with
black hair, and was, withal, hand
some officer. He leaves wife and two
children Zone other having recently
died), who are at Fort Steele, whittier
his father-in-law, Major Clark, journey
ed this morning.