River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-11-20
THE INDIAN WAR.
Death of Thornburg -0fllciai Report OF
Captain Payne.

Scott Payne, 9Th cavalry, to the secre-
/ tary of war, endorses it as follows:
This modest and most admirable re-
port is recei;ed after / have finished
my annual report, else | should have
embraced it almost entire as better
description of the fight at Milk Creek,
on Sept. Doth last.
CAPT. PAYNE's REPORT.
Capt. PAYNE says: Lieut.. Cherry,
adiutant of the command, accom-
small part of the soldiers was in adj
vance, and upon passing over some
high ground intermediate between the
road, we had left and the trail, discover
ed the Indians in heavy force
drawn up IN line of battle, or
more correctly speaking lying in
ambush along the high ridges, which
completely covered and commanded
the road. With quick and soldierly
perception of the situation, Lieutenant
Cherry turned back and made signals
for the command to retrace its steps,
just as the leading company 9th caval-
ry, was descending the ridge into the
valley beyond. Company E. was inn
mediately conducted to tine side of the
hill in its left flank, while c., third cav
airy, was halted on the high ground it
occupied, and both companies at once
dismounted and deployed skirmishers.
E., third cavalry on the right, along the
crest of the ridge. and F. 9th cavalry
we'll 40 the side of the hill, which con-
stantly ascending, stretched indefinitely
as the nature of ground would permit.
Other lines at this time resembled let
! ter "V" The points towards the In.
dams, and that portion of it formed by
F company, Fifth cavalry, projecting
considerably beyond the points of
junction, and being DETECTING to the
left so as to prevent the enemy from
turning our flank. AT this time at
tempts were made by Maj. Thornburg,
in person, and by Lieut.. Cherry, to
communicate with the Indians; but the
efforts in that direction were met by
shots and at once hot fire was open
ed ON us and the fight began
all along our lives. The Indians had
displayed admirable skill in the selec-
ton of groond upon which to give us
battle. With sound judgment and
quick perception of the situation, Maj.
Thornburg determined to form juno
ton with Co. d., 9th Cavalry, which
was protecting the wogon train and with
that end in view directed companies
engaged to fall back slowly. The COM
mand retired as directed in perfect or
der, our horses being kept well drotect
ed between the skirmish lines of the two
companies whilst a heavy and effective
fire did good execution among the savag-
es preventing an attempt on their part
to break through our lines. Failing IN
their efforts in front, the Indians endeav-
ored to cut the command off from the
train which had by Maj. Thornburh's
orders gone into a park on the right
bank of Milk river, and to accomplish
this purpose passed around our left flank
beyond carbine range and concentrated
in great force upon knoll to the left OF
and completely commanding our line of
retreat. Major Thornburg discover
ing this new danger, directed me to
charge the knoll with twenty men Of
my company, to sweep the Indians off,
aud then at once, without attempting
to hold the hill, to fall back upon the
train and take measures for its protec-
ton. This duty being performed and
the way opened for return of the led
horses, | repaired to the wagon train,
and at once took steps looking for its
defense.
DEATH OF MAI. TH0RNBURG.
Major Thornburg doubtless started
for the train shortly after giving me the
order referred to, and was shot and in
stantly killed, Just after crossing the
river and within FIVE hundred yards of
the wagons. His gallantry was con-
spicuous from first to last, and the grief
at his death was general and profound.
In the meantime Capt. Lawson, with
E company 3rd cavaly, and Lieut. Cher
ry, with detachment from E company,
3rd cavalry and f, 9Th cavalry, gallant
ly held the Indians in check in front,
gradually retiring, Lieut.. Cherry with
his detachment covering the retreat.
PLAN OF DEFENSE.
Upon reaching the train l found it
perched on high bank of
Milk river, about two hundred
yards from the water, the wagons form
ing the north side of a corral, eliptical
in shape, its long axis running east and
west, and the south side exposed to
fierce fire from the Indians. who
massing in raylnes along the river and
upon commanding heights, were max
Ing determined effort to capture and
destroy the train before it could be
placed in a condition for defense. Our
animals were crowded within the area
indicated, and l at once directed some
| twenty or more of those wounded to be
led out and shot along the open
space referred to, thus making a
continuous line ofdefense and affording
a corner for our sharpshooters. As soon
as these arrangements we're completed,
| the men were ordered to unload the
wagons and use the bedding, grain and
! flour sacks for breastworks. | cannot
speak too highly of their conduct at that
time. Though exposed to a CALLING fire
by which many men and horses were
stricken down, they worked with alacri-
ty and courage, and in short time our
corral was in as good state of defense
as the means at hand would permit.
About this time Lieut.. Paddock, who
was encouraging the men by the expos
ure of his person, and intelligently and
courageously carrying out my instruc-
tions, was shot in the hip.
As Capt. Lawson and Lieutenant
Cherry, whose gallant fight in covering
our retreat deserves high commentator
had not yet returned to camp, | became
solicitious for their safety, and detach-
ed Sergeant Pope ofmy company With
IL men to proceed down the road in
the direction from which they were APP
preaching. In short time thereafter
was greatly relieved in seeing Capt.
Lawson and Lieut.. Cherry with their
commands enter the entertainments.
A NEW AND CRITICAL DANGER
now threatened. AS the In
dams failed in their efforts to prevent
the concentration of cannon at the train
or drive us out by furious and contin-
ued fire, took advantage of the
high wind blowing directly toward
us to fire the tall grass and sage brush
Gown to the river. At the moment this
point was realized | observed the Indian
supply train of Jno. Gordon was posted
within 70 yards of my position and so
| situated as to command our approach
to water. Seeing this and fearing that
under cover of smokethe Indians might
make a Judgment on this train, which
| in my opinion would have been disast-
rous to the command, and with furth-
err view of burning the grass on the
north side of the corral to- present as
L - n n. Al t i