The New York herald., 1879-11-09
THE MILK CREEK AMBUSH.
Captain Payne's Report of the
Fight with the Utes.
PRAISE WHERE PRAISE is DUE.
Graphic and Thrilling Description Of PerilS
and Gallant Deeds.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 8. 1879.

|
| General sherman, in forwarding the following re-
mort of CAPTAIN Scott Payne, Of the Fifth cavalry.
to the Secretary of War, indorses 1t as follows:-
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY. Nov. 8, 1879.
This modest and most admirable report Is received
after have finished my annual report else should
have embodied it almost entire as better descrip-
w. 7. SHERMAN. General.
The first part of Captain Paynes report is devoted
to tho organization of the command of Major Thorn
burgh and tho march to Bear River. where 1t went
into camp on the night Of the 26th OF September.
The rest of the narrative is rs follows:-
During the afternoon of this date several Ute
Indians of prominence-among them Jack and Saar-
compahgre. who had pass from the agent at Los
Pinos-came into our camp. talked freely with Major
Thornburgh and departed about nightfall. ap-
parentiy III good humor and we'll satisfied
at what they had learned. At Williams Fork OF the
Bear River where we camped ON the 27th. one
Eskridge. agency employe-since killed. Is we
have been informed. by Indians. near the agency
came in. accompanied by Colorado, the Indian
Utes, with despatch from Mr.. Meeker to
Major Thornburgh. reply was sent to
Mr.. Meeker by an Indian. Eskridge remaining with
the command until the next afternoon, when he was
despatched to the agency with second COM
munication to Mr.. Meeker. Copies Of this COR
respondence We're forwarded by Major Thornburgh
refer to them here 1t obso rived that Colorado
were surly and not disposed to talk. but upon de-
parting they appeared to be betser satned. and
slight il any, apprehension was entertained OF the
TIL, INDIANS DISCOVERED.
We camped on the 2sth on Deer Creek. and began
our march the morning OF the 29th at haf-past six
O'clock reaching Milk River about ten O'Clock.
After watering the horses at the stream two COM
panies L Third and + Fifth cavalry. under the i'm
mediate command of Major Thornburgh, turned off
the lett; while D. Fifth cavalry. remained
distance of perhaps mile. At this time no signs
Of the Indians had been observed by Major Thorn
grass, an incident with which we had grown
familiar that no apprehensions were excited
eSm coy maud m acoomnanied n' by Guide Rankin and
small party of soldiers was IN the advance. and.
upon passing over some high ground intermediate
between the road had lett and the trail. discov-
cred the Indians in heavy force up in line Of
battle. correctly speaking lying in ambush
along the high ridges winch completely covered and
commanded the road.
ON THE sKIRMIsH LINE.
With quick and soldierly perception of the situ-
alton Lieutenant Cherry turned back and made sig
nails for the to rstrace its steps, Just as
the leading company F Fifth cavalry was descend
Immediately conducted to tine side Of the hill on its
left flank. while Company =. Of the Third
occupied, and both companies 1T once dismounted
and deployed, by Major Thornburgh's orders, as
oCs ts Of the rdas oayfy on
pany of the Fifth cavalry as well up the side
OF the hill-which constantly ascending. stretched
away indehnitely-as, the nature OF the
ground would permit. Our line at this time
resembled the letter v, the points toward the
Indians and that portion Of it formed by Company
f. Fifth cavalry projecting considerably beyond the
point of junction and being detected to the LETT
as to prevent the enemy from turning our flank.
At this time attempts were made by Major Thorn
burgh III person and by Lieutenant Cherry to com,
uncste with the Indians. but efforts in that direc
ton were met by shot, and at once hot fire
| opened upon US and the tight began all along our
| lines.
! selection of the ground upon which to give us
battle and 1t was soon apparent that our position in
the face of the enemy. superbly armed and greatly
| our superior in force, untenable.
| FALLING BACK.
With sound judgment and quick and rough
perception OF the situation, Major Thornburgh de-
terminedt to form junction with company ID. Fifth
cavalry. which was protecting the wagon train. and
with that end in Wow directed the companies engaged
to fall back slowly. The command retired, as
directed. in perfect order the led horses being
kept we'll protected between the skirmsh lines Of
| the two companies. while heavy and effective fire
did great execution among the savaQes and pre-
| vented an attempt on their part to break through
| our lines Failing in their efforts in front, the
| Indians endeavored to cut the command off
from the train. which had. by Major Thorn
| burgh's order. gone into park the right
bank OF the Milk River and accomplish this pur-
pose passed around our left flank beyond the car
bine range and concentrated in great force upon o
knoll to the left Of and completely commanding our
line of retreat. Major Thornburgh, upon discover
ing TINS new danger arectea ne 10 charge the knoll
dams OF and then at once without attempting to
hold the hill to fall back upon the train and take
measures for its protection. This duty being per-
formed and the way opened for the return of the
led horses. repaired to the wagon train and at
took steps looking to its defence.
Major Thornburgh doubtless started for the train
shortly after giving the order referred TO. and
was shot and instantly killed just after crossing the
river and within 500 yards OF the wagons. His gal
lantry conspicuous from the first to the last and
grief for his death was general and profound.
| THE WAGON TRAIN.
In the meantime Captain Lawson, with CON-
pany OF the Third cavalry aud Lieutenant Cherry.
+ OF the Filth cavalry, gaantly held the Indians
in check in front. gradually retiring, Lieutenant
Cherry with his detachment covering the retreat
Uron reaching the train found it parked on the
right bank of MIX River, about two hundred yards
from water, the wagons forming the north side of a
corral elliptcal in shape its long axis run
ming east and west and the south side
exposed to fierce Are from the Indians
river and upon commanding heights. were making
u determined effort to capture and destroy the
before it could be placed in condition for defence
The animals crowded in the indicated. ant
l at once directed some twenty or more OF those
wounded to be led out and shot along the oper
space referred to, thus making continuous our line
Of defence and aordng cover tor our sharpshooters
GALLANTRY OF MEN AND oFFIcEns
AS soon these arrangements were completed the
men ordered to unload the wagons, and us,
bedding and grain aud flour sacks for breastworks
/ cannot speak too highly OF their conduct at this
time Though exposed to CALLING hre. by which
many aud horses were stricken down. the,
worried with alacrity and courage and od1 IN
state OF defence as the means at hant
would permit. About this time Lieutenant Paddoci
| who was encouraging the men by the exposure o
his person and intelligenty and courageously carry
ing out my instructions. was wounded In the hip
As Captain Lawson and Lieutenant Cherry, whose
gallant fight in covering the retreat deserves higl
| commendation had not returned to camp becam,
solicitous for their safety. aud detached Sergeant
Poppe, of my company, with twelve men. to process
| down the road In the direction from which the,
| were approa aching In a short time thereafter wal
greatly relieved at seeing Captain lawson AND Lieu
tenant Cherry. with their commands. enter the en-
| trenchments. new and critical danger now threat
| ened us.
| FIRE AND SMOKE.
The Indians, foilcd in their efforts to prevent tn
| concentration of the command at the train, or Il
drive out OF II by furious and concentrated nre
! took advantage OF u high wind blowing directl.
| toward US, and fred the tall grass and sag
| brush down the river. At the moment this peri
was realized observed that the Indian supply train
| of Mr.. John Gordon was parked within seventy-hv
yards of my position. and so situated as to comman'
our approach to water Seeing this and fearing tina
under cover Of the smoke the Indians might make
lodgment III this train, which in my Judgment woult
have been disastrous to the command, anu viii
the further view Of burning the grass the norti
ado of tho corral to present az little sur ACE a