Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-08

barely half way there, as his body was seen
by one Of Capt. Lawson's men, life extinct
and lying ON his face. Capt. Payne, then
in command, At once set about having the
wounded horses shot for breast works and
dismautling the wagonslof boxes, bundles
of bedding, corn and -four sacks, which
were quickly picked up for fortifcatl0n,
and picks and shovels we're used vigorous
~ for digging entrenchments. Meantime
CALLING fire was concentrated on the COM
mand from all surrounding bluffs, which
commanded the position. Not an Indian
could be seen, bnt the incessant cracks of
destruction among horses ahd men. The
groans Of the dying and the sgonizing cries
of the wounded told what fearful havoc
was being made among the determined and
desperate command. Every man was
bound to sell his life as dearly as possible.
About this time great danger was ap.
preaching at a frightfully rapid pace. The
red devils at the beginning of the fight had
set fire to The drv grass and the sage brush
to the west end of our position, and it now
came sweeping down towards us. the flames
leaping high in.the air, and dense volumes
of smoke rolling in to engulf us. 1t was
sight to which the stouRhtest heart quailed
and the fends we're waiting ready to give us
volleY as soon az we were driven out from
shelter. Now it reaches the flank, and
blankets, blouses and empty sacks were
used to extiuguish the flames. Some wa
CONS we're set on fire, which required
all the force possible to smother it. No
water can be obtained and the smoke is suf-
locating but the fire passes, and We still
hold our position. Meantime constant
volley is poured on US, Capt. Payne being
wounded for the second time, and First Ser
geant Dolan of company killed instantly,
McKinsley aud Mckee killed and many
others wounded.
Our greatest danger now is past. The
men have now mostly covered themselves,
but the poor horses and mules. ere
constantly falling about US. Just about
sundown charge was attempted but was
repulsed, the Indians trying to drive off
some of our horses which had broken
loose. The attack ceased at dark, and soon
every man was at work enlarglng the
trenches, hauling out dead horses, caring
for the wounded and burying the dead.
| At daylight the attack was resumed, and
the firing of the sharpshooters has been
kept up every day since and occasionally at
night, sending US to our pits in ecramble.
This is the fifth day of our siege, but we
are determined to hold out if II takes q
month for succor to reach US; but We feel
confident that Gen. Merritt. whose name is
upon the lips of every one. is on the road
to rescue US.
The names of the killed aud wounded
are Us follows:
KILLED.
Maj Thornburgh, fourth infantry; First
Sergeant John Dolan. company f, 9Th cay.
airy; Private John Barns. Co. F. 9th
cavalry: Michael Finertorn. Go. F, 9th
cavalry; Samuel Mckee, Co. F, 5th cavsl
rv; Amos D. Miller, Co. F. 5th cavalry
Thos Morey, Co. D, 5th cavalry; Michael
Lynch, Co. D, 5:h cavalry Chas. Wright
Go. ID. 5th cavalry Dominick Cuff, Co. Z
81 cavalry, and Wagon Master McKinsley
and Teamster McGagne.
WOUNDED.
Capt. Payne, 5th cavalry, slight wound j,
arm and side; 1t. Paddock. 5th. cavalry
flesh flesh wound e! ,,in. in hip Dr.: GEimss' Il ssI aesi
alry-serst. John Merrill, Trumpeter Fred
Privates Jos. T. Gibbs, John Hoaxey
Simmons, E. schickedons, VIM. Esser
Il 0OIAcAku OSCAkCks SOWpduy ~ S6touJ
'|-Psiyates Michael Henry, Thos. Lynch
Sd cavalry-sergeant Jas: Montgomery
Eichwarzel, Frank Hunter; Priyates jas
Orlando Duard, Thomas Ferguson
Millard Michael, Jno. Mahony, JAS. Patter
III 49,, H,,hko,I Tho. AfooNnpoo,o Al
Hanson, Jno. Budk, John Donovan Team
Lowry. ss
] With the exception of the wounded guide
Lowry, the wounds of the above named ar
Total killed, 12; total wounded, As.
LATER.
T Oct. 4th, 6p. m.-No courier could b
got off last night owing to the constant fiji
ing of the Indians into camp. The moo
came up an hour after dark and a,-volle
+ was poured in at once. Our party that wen
, after water was unmolested, and va had ou
little stockade all cleared for action befor
, the firing was resumed. As write this dis
, patch the bullets are whistling over the to
. Of the trench. They often strike the graf
. sacks few inches above our heads, but Y
I. are deep enough to be comparatively safe.
!, So MERRITT ARRIVES
t Milk River. Oct. s. a. m.-Hurrah
q hurrah Merritt has come and the surrount
j. ing hills resound with cheers of welcome
9 The courier goes out.
. THE LATEST.
II CHEYENNE. Oct. S.-fhe following vi
!, lust received from Capt. Gillis. at Rsv
9 Inns:
le MIX river is Just in. He reports that Me
70 ri,t reached Paynes command, Monday
70 ,ernoon. after . severe fight in which
70 killed 81 indiana. He fouuu them al riRh
d A colorcd cavalry company 5oised Psy'
b Lass Fridsv night, los,ne all shstt hors'
], bu, two 10 doing 20. Tho mail cout,
II. knows o,h,ug about the condition 81 Y
ID oe.csrs aud men. Tho companies 81 Y
slth regiment wcfea, least "a hours eeht'
y Mesri,,a command.