The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1879-10-15

defense by the IHdians, and had 1t
not been for Major Thornburgh's
advance guard, commanded BY Lieut..
Cherry. discovering ambuscade the
entire command would have been
annihilated. Lieut. Cherry rode
back at full speed. With two or three
men who were with him, and notified
Major Thornburgh, who had already
began The descent into the ravine
which was intended 10 engulf the
command. The Indians were dis.
mounted and lying down along the
crest of high, steep ridge for a
hundred yards from the point where
the deadly assault would have com
menced. The troops were withdrawn
a short distance, dismounted and
deployed in line Of battle, with or
ders to await the attack Of the In,
dams. Lieut.. Cherry was here or
derej by Thoruburgh to take a de-
tachment of fifteen picked men and
make a reconnaissance and communi-
cate, if possible. with the Indians,
as it was thought they only desired
to oppose his approach to their
Agency. and would parley or have
"big talk if they could be commu-
nicaLed with. Cherry moved out at
a gallop with his men from the right
flank, and it was noticed that like
movement Of about twenty Indians
was made from the left of the Indian
position. He approached to within
a couple of hundred yards Of the
Indians, aud took off his hat and
waved, but the respond was a shot
fred at him. which wounded a man
of his party and killed his horse.
this was the first shot. and was in.
stantly followed by volly from the
Indians.
The Indians having been driven
from this point the company was
rallied on the wagon train. Maj.
Thornburgh then gave orders to
Lieut.. Cherry to hold his position
and cover Capt. Lawson's retreat,
who was ordered to fall back steadi.
" with the horses of his company.
Lieut.. Cherry called for volunteers,
and Of the twenty men who respond.
ed promptly and fought with desper.
ation-their names will be given in
the latest dispatch, as nearly every
man was wounded before he reached
the camp, and two were killed
Lieut.. Cherry brought every wound
ed man in with him. Capt. Lawson,
a brave old veteran, displayed the
greatest calmness and courage dur
ing this retreat. sending A. nm
ton to Cherry's men when rncH
they were nearly withou, i. Il
Thoruburgh started back 30 u y =
on train. after giving his fn.i ord
to Capt Payne to charge III hi
and TO Cap. Lawson AID L,u g.
ant CAerry TO cover the ret'ea,
Major rhornburgh must hav. bee
shot dea When barely la, "A
there. h's holy he.ng see lylag
his race. Cap Payne, then in com
mand, set about having the wounded
horses shot for breastworks, dismant
ling wagons of boxes, bundles. &c.
which were piled up for fortifsssions
Picks and shoveis were used Vrgor
ously for digging entertainments. II
the meantime, a CALLING fire was con
centrated upon the command from
all surrounding bluffs, which com
manded our position. not an Indian
could he seen. but the incessan'
cracks of their Sharp's and Wlnches
ter rifles dealt fearful destruction
among horses and men. The groan'
of the dying and agonizing cries o
the wounded told what fearful havoc
was being made among that deter
mined and desperate command. The
Indians at the beginning Of the hgh
had set fire to the dry grass and sage
brush 10 the windward of our posi-
ton. 1t now came sweeping dowl
towards US, the flames rolling higl
into the air and immense columns o
smoke rolling on TO engulf US. |
was sight TO make the stoutes
heart quake, and the hends wer
waiting ready to give us volley a
soon as we we're driven from oar sue
ter. Now it reaches The fax, All
blankets. blouses and empty sack
were freely used 70 ex,insu % 4
flames Some of phe wagons yer
set On fire. which, required all fore
possible 10 smother il; no wA'er ca
be obtained. and the smoke IS stuff
eating but the fire passes aud "
still hold our position. In the NEAR
time a constant volley is poured N
on us. Capt. Payne is wounded f
the second time. and First Sergeaa
Dolan, Of Company f. killed inssan