The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-10-14
SAVED.
The Awful Silence Broken at Las,
RELIEF OF CAPT. PAYNE'S BE-
LEAGUERlSD COMMAND,
After Many Days of Hard Fighting
and Nights of Weary Watching.

Ih'bVNC NV 'l'iu os
Il distance of 500 or 600 yards, having a
ss-are upon our position, which posi-
zion was chosen hastily on the first day
Of the fight. All our horses end all but
IL mules have been killed. We shelter
ed them as btsJ we could with wagons,
hut to no purpose. Captain Dodge and
Lieutenant Hughes, with Company D.,
Ninth Cavalry, came to our rescue yes :
terdsy morning at davbreak, after forced
nights march Of 81 miles from Bear
River. Cheer after cheer rent the air
from our trenches when it was ascertain
ed who were coming. A lull in the firing
enabled them to come in and shelter
Their horses as we'll as possible, taking
to the Notifications quickly, when the at.
tack was redoubled in fury. Had the
heights been accessible Captain Dodge
would have charged them with his CON-
pany while we covered him from our rife
pits. But this being utterly impossible,
the ascent being nearly perpendicular, all
we could do during the day was TO keep
a good lookout from the loop-holes and
return the fire when any Indian showed
his head. This, however, was very
rare occurrence,as the Indians have rifle
pits and loop-holes.
Before dark every horse but three Of
Captain Dodge's command was shot
down.
A very fortunate thing for US has been
tha. the Indians have left US unmolested
at night with the exception OF an occa-
sional shot to make US scatter to our
pits. We have been able, at great risk,
to haul of our dead animals every night,
otherwise the stencil would be intolera-
BILE.
B A sally is made every night for water,
q distance Of 200 yards from our in
trenchments. Night before last Private
Erser. of Company F, was shot in the
face while out with party after water.
The Indians we're only few yards away
and were driven off by volley from tue
guard and trenches. Captain Dodge
brought US cheering news that our dis
patches reached Bear River safely. and
would undoubtedly reach Rawlins. We
have been counting the hours which it
will probably take for relief to reach US
We all agree that Gen. Merritt, from
Fort Russell, with the companies of the
Fifth Cavalry there, and all other availa-
BILE troops will be ordered to our rescue,
Eas they will all be needed to finish the
campaign, s.,...
The field OF battle was admirably cho.
sen ior defense by the Indians, and had
II not been for Major Thotnhurgh's ad.
vance, guard, commanded by Lieutenant
Cherry, discovering the amhuscade, the
entire command would have been ami
Inflated He saw small party OF In.
dians disappearing over hill half a
mile in font, and at once divided his
party to reconnoiter, and only discover
ed them when he had fanked their posi-
tion by about two hundred yards. Cher
ry rode back at full speed with two or
three men who were with him and mott.
fed Major Tbornburgh, who had already
hegun the descent into the deep ravine,
which was intended to ingruf the com.
mand, The Indians were 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 a short distance, dis.
mounted and deplnyed in line of battle
with orders to await the attack OF the
Indians, but Cherry was here ordered by
Thornburgh to take detachment OF fif
teen picked men and make reconnais
sance and communicate, IL possible, will
the Indians, as it was thought. that they
only desired 10 oppose his approach te
their agency, and would parley or hav'
a big talk If they could be communica
lted with. tsF 'lsai 81 ls&biat
| Cherry moved out at a gallop with hi
men from the right flank, and noticed ,
like movement of about twenty Indian'
from the left OF the Indian POSITION
He approached to within a couple o
hundred yards of the Indians and tool
of his hat and waved 1t, but therespons
was shot fred at him, wounding maj
Of bis party and killing his horse. Thi
was the first shot, and was instantly fol
lowed by volley from the Indians. Th
work had now begun In earnest, ant
seeiug the advantage of the position b.
held, Cherry dismouhted his detachmen
and deployed along the crest Of the bill
to prevent the Indians fanking his posi-
ton and to cover the retreat, il foun'
necessary to retire upon the wagon trail
which was then coming up slowly, guar
ded by Lieutenant Paddock, Compan,
D, Fifth Cavalry. Orders were sent Il
pack the wagons and cover them wit
the company guarding them. The tw
companies In advance we're Captai
Payne, Company F, Fifth Cavalry an
Captain Lawson. Company E, Thir
Cavalry, which we're dismounted an
deployed as skirmishers, Captain Payne
on the left and Captain Lawson's on th
! right sk issas
| From Cherry's position he could Sc
that the Indians were trying to cut hir
of from the wagons, and ct once ser
word to Major Thornburgh. who the
withdrew the line slowly, keeping th
Indians in check, until opposite the poir
|, which HE men held, when. seeing chs
the Indians were concentrating to CT
of his retreat, Captain Payne, Compau
F, Fitch Cavalry. was ordered to charg
the hill, which be did in gallant style, b
horse being shot under him. and sewers
!, OF his men wounded. The Indians ha'
ing been driven from this point, til
company was rallied ON the wagon trail
Major Thornburgh then gave orders I
: Cherry TO hold his position and cove
Captain Lawsou's retreat, who was Of
dered to fall back slowly with the le
horses to his company. Cherry calle
! fer volunteers of twenty men, who ret
:, lponded promptly and fought with de-
peration (their names will be given !
: later dispatches J. as nearly every ma
! was wounded before he reached CAM
: land twos men ki,l.d d. Cherry brougl
Fevery wounded man in with him CaE
tain Lawson, q brave old veteran. di
played great GOODNESS and courage du
} ing this retreat, sending ammunition |
: Cherry's men when once they were nea
e ly without it Major Thornburgh sta
ted back to the wagon train after gi'
: inv his 6pol ordara a, Nanta;,, Pa ono