October 8, 1879
General E.D. TOWNSEND,U.S.A.
WASHINGTON,D.C.:
The following dispatch from General Crook just received. It looks reliable.
P.H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant- General.
Fort Steele Wyo.
General P.H. Sheridan,
Chicago, Ill, :
The following just received at Rawlins and given you for what it is worth:
The mail-carrier says, in response to why General Merritt has not sent a courier, that he thought probably he has sent one and he was picked up by the Indians.
Rawlins, the 8th–1:30 a.m.
General Crook, Fort Steele:
Mail in. No dispatches. Mail-carrier reports that he left Snake River at one o’clock yesterday morning: that William Listige went with Merritt’s command from Snake River to Payne’s command, and returned to Snake River yesterday morning. Merritt had a severe fight with the Indians Monday afternoon, two miles east of Payne’s command, thrashed the Indians, killing 37 of them, and formed a junction with the besieged garrison; the latter were all right, having lost but two men killed since they entrenched. The colored cavalry company joined Payne last Friday night, but had a severe fight in doing so, having lost all their horses but two. Merritt had a conversation with the Indians under white flag, and told them they could surrender if they would give up arms and ponies. They wished to know if troops were going to agency; and, if so, they would fight to bitter end. Mail-carriers know nothing of the condition of officers and men in last week’s fight. The second detachment from here was twenty-four hours behind Merritt. Indians stole stock at the Snake River yesterday morning.
Gillis S.
GEO.CROOK,
Brigadier-General.
