The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-27

airy" Merritt. as he was best known in
the army of the Potomac. Within an
hour after receiving his Instructions
two troops of the 9Th cavalry were on
their way to reinforce ~Thornburg.
The command which left Rawlins on
Sept. IA. 1879, consisted of Companies
ID and f, 5th cavalry. under the COM
mand of Captains Payne and Lawson;
Company T.. Sd cavalry, Commanded
by Lieutenant Paddock. and Company
e of the 4th infantry. commanded by
Lieutenants Price and Woolley. Al
the old fertilization camp about 30 miles
from Rawlins the infantry was left be-
hind to act as a reserve, and to at
ford protection for passing supply
trains, while Major Thornburg. with
.the three troops. comprising l60 men.
pushed on To the agency. a number ot
Indians were encountered at different
times. and they always Drofessed the
greatest friendship. and went so far as
to propose that Major ThornburS
should take an escort of five men ami
accompany them to the agency. A
consultation was held, and finally, at
the urgent appeal of Joseph Rankin,
the scout in command. who feared
treachery, Major Thornburg declined
the invitation. He decided, however, to
march the command to within haillnG
distance of the agency and then, II the
Indians desired a consultation, he
would agree to it. When this answer
was given the Indians rode away 10
bid their fellows prepare for an out
break. and ThOrnburg ard MS men
moved forward to their death.
AT the crossing of Mill creek. %
miles north of the agency, the roai
passed through a defle with hlgh
" L id nffnrHinO an nX-
cellent opportunity for ambuscade. the
defle was inside the reservation and
the Indians were on their own ground
with the oldiers tied up with instruc-
lions and at their mercy. Just before
reaching the most dangerous part or
the defle Major Thornburg, with the
caution characteristic OF a trained SOL
der. left the road and took a tran over
the bluff. He had already taken inc
precaution to corral his wagons at the
entrance to the defile three-quarters
of a mile i'm the rear. AS he turned on
the road the indian saw that their
original plans has been disarranged
and that they would have TO nght IN
the omen, but they did mo- decline the
ncounte Major Thornpurg had pro-
ceeded only a short distance up the
bluff when he was confronted by from
$50 TO 300 Indians we'll armed with WIN
| phpStprS, lie al once dltN us 'fN' ~
in battle order and waited for the onset
of the sayages Ii was apparent 20
every man i'm the command that the
only way to insure its safety was "a
omen fire before the Indians rad a
chance to make their dispositions. Tn
scout. Rankin. an old Indian fghter
hurried to the side of the commander
pointed out to him the tact that ht
was being surrounded n hat ne was
- "a ,,.pa1 him RI omar
fire. as that afforded the only nope OF
escape. ar -.
NV God" said Thornburg. Il dart
not. my orders are positive, n II
violate them and survive. a court-nnar
tial and instantaneous dismissal ma.
follow. | feel as though myself an
men were 10 be murdered.
The Indians faced the troops apou
300 wards distant and exhibited a deter
mination to fight. They were raplui.
throwing out thanking parties an
placing themselves in position 10 snu
off the. retreat of the doomed men. IA
cavalry was dismounted and placed J.
a position for defense. but was ordere
/, not to fire until the Indians opened III
! attack. At last. when the ihuiah
? had made all preparations they oPene
fire on the troops. who respohueu; ,e
treating as lhtN HTtu-
! dash the Indians threw themselves De
tween the retreating column ana IN
r wagon train. Major Thornourg at on
mounted - of his men and headed thei
a in one Of the most dashlng caNatI
g charges on record. They reacheu "
I wagons. but Major Th,rnpurg anu
of the men who made the charge NsI
e killed and every officer was "ouhus
5 except Lieutenant Cherry or the ..
r cavalry. \ large number OF men WEI
e also seriously hurt. Then began a sIse
e which bade fair to result in the am
hilation of the command. The lndiar
e first picked of the horses and mule
d and within a short time from 100 70 =
e animals had been killed. they We
IS utilized for breastworks and aidea
repeAing the frequent assaults OF ~
,e Indians.
= Finally the situation became SO de