Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-24
REORGANIZA TON or MILITIA SYS-
TEN RECO NMENDED.
The Unitah Utes and Snakes on the
War Path.
Pine Ridge Agency,

Pine Ridge Agency,
October go.
Twenty Ogallalala Indians under Water
Spout, after two years absence from Sitting
Bulls camp, which caused great commotion
among the Sioux. Two thousand more are
expected. The agent declines to receive
them and asks for instructions.
RAwLINs, October %. The killing of
Lieut.. Wear and William Ward by a stray
Cling band of Indians on the 10TH has again
alarmed the people of Northern Colorado and
got into Merritt's rear.
DENVER, October %. Capt. Dodge's col
ored company passing through here had a re-
ception from colored citizens.
New YORK, October %. A Rawlins spec
ial to-day says the attack on Lieut.. Hall by
the Utes took place about half past one, and
nothing but the GOODNESS of the commander
saved the entire party from destruction. The
fire Of the indians was continued until late
last night. Chief of scouts Hummel who
was with Lieu. Weir, was detached from the
main body of troops, on hunting expedition,
IS missing, but it is not known positively
whether he shared the fate of Weir. The
body was not found by the cavalry. Davis,
who was with the main command, received
several bullets in his clothes, hut was not
wounded. Two Indians were killed. A cour-
Ter will go to the rear with dispatches. The
latest advices from the front received through
the Department of the Interior, report that
the ties are peacably disposed
WASHINGTON. October 90. The Governor
of Colorado telegraphs to Secretary Schurz
as follows:
Information from Southwestern Colorado
satisfies me that the most of Ouray's war
riors were in the Thornburgh fight. To sur
render the criminals. Ouray must surrender
his whole tribe, which he is powerless to do.
They adhere to him for protection only, and
will not submit to punishment, neither will
they surrender the White River Utes, who
are bound to them by the closest ties, and
who are no more guilty than themselves.
They whipped Thornburg's command and
now Merritt retires. 1t cannot be denied that
the fighting men of the tribes are hostile and
flushed with victory, that they are savages,
that they take no prisoners except women,
and that their trophies are not banners, but
scalps. If the policy of military inactivity
continues our frontier settlements are liable
to become scenes of massacres. Unless the
troops move against the Indians the Indians
will move against the settlers. Must three
hundred miles of border settlements be sub
jected to this peril? The general government
is doing nothing to defend the settlements.
The State cannot defend all this border ex-
cept by attacking the enemy In behalf OF
our people l represent this danger to you,
and urge the government to recognize that
war with Barbarians now exists, which limits
the lives of numerous exposed mining settle
ments 1t can be terminated only by the
most rigorous and uninterrupted warfare.
The Secretary replied, stating the mission
of Gen. Adams, whom Gov. Pitkin himself
highly recommended. and favorable reports
are already received from him, which vary
materially from Gov. Pitkin's information.
He says military preparations have not been
relaxed, so the failure of Adams efforts may
be followed by energetic measures, and he
earnestly hopes no extension of trouble will
be precipitated by inconsidate action.
Gen. Benet, chief of ordnance, in his an
nual report, strongly recommens reorgani-
cation of the militia system Of the country.
OGDEN, October %. 1t is reported that the
Unitah Utcs and Snakes are on the war path,
with but 800 warriors, and that the settlers
on Ashley fork are collecting together and
building fort. This evening man arrived
at Green River Station, on the Unian Pacific
Railroad, who reports that the Unitah Utes
killed some settlers on Ashley Fork, and they
are coming toward Brow's Hole, on Green
River.