The New York herald., 1879-10-02
THORNB[RGH KILLED.
Desperate Fight Between the Utes
and the Troops.
THE COMMAND STILL SURROUNDED.
Eleven Men Killed and Twenty
five Wounded.
INTRENCHED AND WAITING FOR AID.
Large Reinforcements MoV-
ing to the Scene.
aUSES OF THE OUTBREAK and PROBABLE RESULTS
Assistant Postmaster General Tyner Thought
To Be with the Troops.
r.
NTRENCHED AND WAITING FOR AID.
Large Reinforcements Nov
ing to the Scene.
aUSES OP THE OUTBREAK and PROBABLE RESULTS
Assistant Postmaster General Tyner Thought
To Be with the Troops.
PROBABLE DEATH OF THE AGENT.
(pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]

(DY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]
RAwIINs, w. T., Oct. 1, 1879.
At ten o'clock ON the morning Of the Goth
ult the advance of Thornburgh's command en-
countered the Ute Indians at Milk Creek Canyon,
twenty-five miles from White River, the Ute
reservation. The Indians opening fire the
advance fell back to the main body,
only short distance in the rear. The
command formed in Of line battle and body of
Indians numbering $50 made desperate at
tack. While the attention of the command was
thus attracted to the front another body of In
dians succeeded in throwing themselves in the
rear of the command, and between them and the
supply train, composed of twenty-five wagons.
THoRNBURGHs FATAL CHARGE.
To save the train from capture Major Thorn
burgh charged the Indians in his rear, and the
command reached the wagon train and saved
it from destruction. In the charge Major
Thornburgh, while gallantly urging his men
forward, received shot in his breast,
instantly killing him. After reaching the
train the men Immediately commenced
entrenching themselves under a very
heavy fire from the Indians. The mules and
horses being nearly all killed, were utilized in
intrenchments. The fire of the Indians was
kept up with deadly effect until eight O'clock in
the evening, when the Indians drew off short
distance. Major Thornburgh's command was
composed of three companies of the Third cav
airy, numbering $50 men.
THE CASUALTIES.
j. p. Rankin, scout for the expedition, arrived
here last night ut twelve O'clock. He left the
command at twelve o'clock on the Goth ult.,
with dispatches for General Crook, and made
the ride Of 16O miles on horseback in twenty
four hours. At the time of his leaving Thorn
burgh's body was within the Indian lines.
Eleven soldiers were reported killed and thirty
four wounded.
Captain Payne was wounded in two places,
not seriously.
Captain Lawson, slightly wounded.
Lieutenant Paddock, seriously wounded in
nip.
surgeon Grimes, slightly wounded.
Lieutenant Wolf, slightly wounded.
CONDITION OF THE coMBATANTs
The ndiaIns are well armed with Winchester
rifles, and are plentifully supplied with am
,nunifion Tho exnedition ho Va prov;,;ous emf
fcient to last them six days, and may be able to
hold out that length Of time if they retain their
position.
The Indians had prepared an ambush in the
canyon through which they supposed the com
mand would pass, but Rankin, the scout, led
the troops around the canyon and the COM
sacre.
1t is feared that the Utes have formed an
alliance with the Arrapahocs and Snakes and a
general Indian war will result.
FEARS FOR THE AGENT.
On the morning of the 29th Mr.. Meeker, the
Ute Indian Agent, sent despatch to the
lndlan commissioner that without troops to
protect him the lives of himself and family
were in immediate danger. 1t is more than
probable that they have ere this met fate
worse than death. On tho same day the fight
occurred the wagon train of George Gordon,
loaded with annuities for these Indians, was
destroyed by them. Gordon is missing, and is
supposed to be killed.
SETTLERS COMING IN.
The settlers on Snake River, n settlement
sighty miles south from this point and route
20 the Ute Reservation are arriving, having
abandoned their property, with the exception
of their horses, and general CONSERVATION pre-
vails
Rankin, the scout, returns to the command to-
night with dispatches. Troops will arrive here
tomorrow, under the command of General Mcr-
ritt, and move ut once to relieve the besiegcd
command.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES CONCERNING THE rIGuT--
CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED oryIcERs-A
LOUD CALL FOR REINFoRcEMENTs
INK TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
OMAHA Neb., Oct. 1, 1870.
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