The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-10-16

and two were killed. Cherry brought
every wounded man in with him. Capt.
Lawson, the brave old veteran, displayed
the greatest courage and GOODNESS during
this retreat, sending up ammunition to
Cherry's men when once they were near
ly without it. Maj. Thornburg started
back to the wagon train after giving his
final orders to Capt. Payne to charge the
hills and to Capt. Lawson and Lieut..
Cherry to cover the retreat. He must
have been shot dead when barely half
way there, as his body was seen by one
of Capt. Lawson's men, life extinct and
lying on his face. Capt. Payne, then in
command, at once set about having the
wounded horses shot for breastworks,
and dismantling the wagons of the boxes,
bundles of bedding, corn and -four sacks,
which were quickly piled up for fortifi-
cations. Picks and shovels were used
vigorously for digging entertainments.
In the meantime CALLING fire was con-
centrated upon the command from all the
surrounding bluffs which commanded
the position. Not ali Indian could be
seen, but the incessant cracks of their
Sharpe and Winchester rifles dealt fear
full destruction among the horses and
men. The groans of the dying and ag-
onizing cries of the wounded told what
fearful havoc was being made among the
determined and desperate command.
Every man was bound to sell his life as
dearly az possible, About this time a
great danger approached at frightfully
rapid pace. The red devils, at the be-
ginning of the fight, had set fire to the
dry grass and to the sage brush to the
windward of our position and it now
came sweeping down towards us the
flames leaping high into the air, and i'm
mense volumes of smoke rolling in to en-
gulf us. 1t was a sight to make the
stoutest heart quail and the fends were
waiting, ready to give us volley as soon
! as we were drived from our shelter. 1t
reached the flank, and blankets, blouses
and empty sacks were freely used to ex
tinguish the flames. Some of the wagons
were set on fire, which required all the
force possible to smother. No water
could be obtained, and the smoke was
suffocating, but the fire passed, and we
still held our position. Meantime con-
slant volley was poured upon us, Capt.
Payne being wounded for the second
time and First Sergt. Dolan, of Company
F., killed instantly, McKinstry and Nc
Kee killed and many others wounded
Our greatest danger now was past, the
men had now mostly covered themselves
i but tho poor horses and mules were con-
stantly falling about us. Just about sun
down q charge was attempted but repuls-
ed, the Indians trying to drive off some
of our horses which had broken loose.
The attack ceased at dark aud soon every
man was at work charging the trenches,
hauling out the dead horses, caring for
the wounded and burying the dead. At
daylight the attack was resumed and the
firing of the sharpshooters has been kept
up every day since, and occasionally at
night. sending us to our pits in scram-
bic. This is the fifth day of our siege,
but we are determined to hold out if it
takes month for succor to reach us.
But we are confident that Gen. Merritt,
whose name is upon the lips of every
one, is on the road to rescue us.