The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-10-08
~ INDIAN MASSACRE.
The Ute Indians Of the White River Agency
81 lEEtG3,3ts on the War Path. &

81 lEEt1s3-'t on the War Path. II
Major Thornburgh's command was at
tackled in Bad Canon, at, noon, October
,1st one mile or so from Milk r1vcr, Colo
RADIO, on his march to the~;White River
agency. He letreated 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 McKlnstry were killed and at
least twenty-five men and teamsters were
wounded. The. red devils fred the
grass around the troops to burn them
out.
Mrs. Gordon, whose freight outfit of In
dian supplies was near 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 during the retreat. Capt. Lenwuod
and. Lieut.. Cherry are unhurt though
men were killed all around them. About
three-fourths of the horses and mules
were killed. ...,H f /
As 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 ferocious,
andssthe, 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 eau,
tious soldier and a, 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 we'll balanced, and winning,
for himself q reputation, as scout and In
dian fighter. Therefore, the only infer
ence that can be drawniis, that Thorn
burg did not blunder. but fell into one of
the most .,.~r, - ~
49,, 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 though, under the
cover Of darkness, it may be difficult
task torcut of from the lines, yetson such
a night as this, with a'bright moon shin
ing out, the deed is attended with great
ACTIVITY IN FORWARDING REINFORCE.
MENTs. l.
The courier took the news direct to
Rawllns and by 8 O'Clock the intelligence
had been flashed to Fort Omaha. Gen.
Williams in less than quarter of an
hour was at work giving orders and con-
sulting Gen Crook, who is in Chicago,
and ordering. matters forward. Gen.
Merritt at Fort D. 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.
oral 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 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. ~ Naet
FURTHER LOSSES NOT ANTICIPATED.
i! Military authority are unanimous in the
belief that the worst has been told, for
Lieut.. Payne is strongly sentrenched, near
to water, we'll prouisioned, and will further
fortify himself by throwing up earth
works, which, with the wagon train, will
enable him to hold his own till reinforce
ments appear, which will bo soon.