Year: 1879

Lawson and Lieut.. Cherry with their
commands enter the entrenchments.


NEW AND CRITICAL DANGER


now threatened. AS the In.
dams failed in tn cir efforts to prevent
the concentration of cannon at the train


or drive us out by furious and contin-
ued fire, took advantage OF the
high wind blowing directly toward
Us to fire the tall grass and sage brush
Gown to the river. At the moment this
point was realized observed the Indian
supply train of Jno. Gordon was posted
within 70 yards of my position and so
situated as to command our approach
to water. Seeing this and fearing that
under cover of smoke the Indians might
| make a lodgment on this train, which
IN my opinion would have been disast-
rous to the command, and with furth-
er view of burning the grass on the
north side of the corral to present as
little surface as possible to the Indians
when they should approach, l
directed the grass on that side to
be fired and in a few moments was
gratified to see Gordon's train in flames.
The fire from down the valley APP
preached with great rapiditv and struck
the exposed point of the corrall, and
for few moments threatened us with
destruction. The officers and men at
this critical moment, when the Indians
made their most furious attack dis
played superb gallantry. Several lives
were lost and many wounds received,
but the fire was extinguished and our
greatest danger passed. From this time
about 2:45 p. m., until night fall, the
Indians kept up a furious fire doing
great damage to our stock, fully three
fourths of them being killed or so Sc.
verely wounded that they were killed
by my orders. AT dark large body of
Indians charged down beyond Gordon's
burning train, delivering volley after
volley. They were repulsed easily, and
fled. suffering the loss of several war;
iors, who were instantly seen to drop
from their saddles. During the night
our dead animals were hauled off, full
supply of water for "a hours was pro-
cured, the wounded were cared for, en-
trenchments were dug, and by daylight
the corral was in good condition for
defense. Couriers were sent out with
dispatches at midnight, and
general feeling of confidence in
splred the entire command.
ammunition and ratlons were dlstribu-
ted In severa, trenches, and / felt that
sense of scarcity for my command
which sprang from a knowledge Of its
gallantry and fortitude. During the
next day the Indians kept up an almost
incessant fire, killing all of our animals
but fourteen mules, but doing no other
damage. We were uninterrupted In
the night of the 30th, but after that
time the enemy gave us no rest during
the night or day. Our water party were
fired on at short range; one man of Co.
F, 9th cavalry,was shot through the face
The guards for the water party return
ed this fire with effect, killing one In
dian. On the morning of the End, Capt
Dodge and Lieut.. Hughes, with compa-
ny d, 9th cavalry, came into our camp,
adding materially to our fighting
strength and bringing the welcome news
that our couriers had gone through
safely. L cannot express In too high
terms my appreciation of the galiantry
of these brave officers and men and it
is peculiarly gratifying to know that they
have received the praise woich such
courage deserves. Col. Merritt, with his
Command after a march which has no
parallel, reached US this morning and
were received with hearty and prolong-
ed cheers by my gallant men whose
patriotic fidelity and bravery were thus
speedily rewarded by rescue from the
great and impending peril. | can find no
suitable words in which to express my
admiration for the m on of NV command
Their conduct is beyond all praise.
They were gallant and patient during
the suspense, and confident through
all. 1t is my greatest pride to have
commanded them, and know that one
more page in the glorious annals of
American soldiery has been illustrated
by their valor.