MEEKER, COL., AUG. 28, VIA GLENWOOD SPRING, COL., AUG. 29. - Several persons who came in today said that the troops needed aid and Thomas, the courier who came in this morning, says that the situation at Rangley is critical. There has been no fighting since Thursday, but 600 Indians are reported to be within six miles of them ready to fight. The loss of their squaws has made them wild and they will seek revenge. Ranch men have taken their families to Rangley.

The situation at Rangley is unchanged as far as the war features are concerned. The Indians are still in force on the battleground near the reservation with lookouts on surrounding peaks. About 250 ponies were captured by the boys, but about 100 have been run off. Some of them were claimed by Mexicans, who were allowed to take them away. Major Leslie and Sheriff Kendall are holding their position waiting the reinforcements, supplies and ammunition. It is thought the Indians will not make an attack unless the command undertakes to retreat with the ponies.

A prominent officer at Camp Adams writes: "As near as I can judge the war has now fairly begun. The Utes will gather from 700 to 800 warriors and will raid the country, fighting to the bitter end."

An officer of the United States army, who saw the boys at Rangley, says "Only squaws, old men and papooses are left on either reservation. The bucks all with Colorow."

Crook and Agent Byrnes will join Governor Adams at Meeker on Wednesday. If they expect to arrange for the delivery of Colorow and the two indicted Indians on any terms their mission will be a fruitless one.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COL., AUG. 29, 12M. - F. P. Swindler has just sworn out a warrant for Colorow on the charge of murder. The warrant will go forward to Sheriff Kendall by the courier tonight. The first one was for simple misdemeanor - resisting an officer. This, being for felony, will make it difficult for the authorities, federal and state, to settle matters without the surrender of the old campaigner.

The latest courier from Rangeley brings reliable information that instead of two whites killed as at first reported, there were five killed and four wounded, and seven Indians and two squaws killed and five wounded. The whites killed are:
Lieutenant Folsom of Aspen.
Jack Ward, deputy sheriff in Kendall's party.
"Wild Bill," a long haired railway laborer, who was picked up at Glenwood and furnished with arms.
Two ranch men, cowboys, who joined the troops, and whose names are yet unknown.

The Indians killed are thought to be three Uncompahgres and four White River Utes.

Captain Pray came in today with his command to report. He says that White River Colorow, for whom the warrant was issued, and Uncompahgre Colorow were both present, and he has conversed with the former. White River Colorow is an old man, nearly 70 years of age, wrinkled and fat; he is also deaf and his sight impaired. In conversation he denied his desire to fight, but said that if the white man did not want to go back there would be a big fight, and that he could get "heap White River, heap Uncompahgre and heap Navajo Indians who were young and wanted to fight."

The most heroic act of the battle aside from the general bravery, of the troops should be credited to an Uncompahgre Indian known as "Gus." He had a squaw and a papoose when the battle began and in the first rush they became separated, and in the course of the first half hour were more than a mile from him down the ravine. He had been advising Colorow of the progress of the fight when he saw his squaw and papoose appear on the extreme east end of the lines. The poor creature, with a little babe clasped in her arms, was screaming and running wildly about, terrified beyond description. Although the battle was raging fiercely, he put spurs to his pony and dashed down the ravine in the face of a perfect storm of bullets. At least 300 shots were fired at him, but he never flinched and reaching his squaw, he leaned over and pulled her to the horse and galloped half a mile further on with his burden, and after placing her on the ground, out of danger rode back to the top of the bluff. When he reached the summit he was seen to reel and a moment later fell dead.

As far as anyone could determine the origin of the battle, the Indians and troops did not really expect it as the Indians were anxious to get their squaws and 300 ponies out of the way, and the troops under Leslie and Pray were simply reconnoitering the position of the Indians who were getting their stock together. The flag of truce was still flying and Captain Pray says that he would not not violated it. The Indians had started to drive their ponies up the ravine when Kendall's party came up and started after them. The Indians took to the hills and began to fire. Then the battle began and for nearly eight hours continued unabated.

John McAndrews, boss herder of the Indian department of the government here, who was in Meeker a few days ago, coming from the agency with the commission, is one of the opinion that there are not to exceed 2,000 Utes, braves, squaws and papooses at both agencies. He is very reliable and his statement is not doubted. Of this number some are too old to go on the warpath; some are women and children, and some, on account of having accumulated considerable property and stock, could hardly be induced to come out and fight. The Colorow band are credited with having 1,000 ponies, and Chipets, Ouray's widow, has 3,000 sheep and goats. From the above figures it will be seen, however, that the old campaigner could not put a respectable and very formidable force in the field. Should they put the forces to flight at Rangeley they could sway the entire White river valley before assistance could come from either the national or state authorities.

Colorow is a wily old reprobate and may leave enough warriors in the vicinity of Rangeley to keep the force there and utilize the main portion of his forces in delivering telling blows on unprotected settlers. The ambush so clearly avoided in the last battle may have a tendency to check the forces in the field from following to closely. Provisions for the soldiers are being forwarded, and although Quartermaster Jochmus sent out a big pack train today, more are needed. He bought up most of the necessities here, and as Meeker is only a town of 200 people, he has had considerable trouble in getting enough.

General Reardon received a letter from Major Leslie today saying that the lieutenant who has charge of the United States troops thinks that it would not be safe for troops to go into the reservation through the canyon, but if they still want to go it would be best for them to do so by way of Fort Duchesne. He says 2,000 men will be necessary to do it.

General Reardon is waiting patiently to hear from Governor Adams and is anxious to have more troops to put into the field. Some of the boys want to go back, and are mighty sick of it; others talk of more war; but the situation is most serious. The Utes are watching every move if the troops are withdrawn it will be unsafe for settlers near the reservation.

WASHINGTON, D. C. Aug. 29. - The following telegram, relative to the Ute Indian trouble, has been received from General Terry at Chicago: Adjutant General United States Army, Washington, D. C. The following has been received dated Fort Duquesne, Utah, August 27.

"To the assistant adjutant general, department of the Platte, Omaha, Neb: The following is from Lieutenant Burnett, Ninth cavalry, who, with two of the troopers was sent by request of Indian Agent Byrnes to prevent the invasion of the Indian reservation by the Colorado state troops and cowboys near the border of the reservation:

"Colonel Byrnes, Indian Agent:

"Aug. 26, 4-40 p.m. - The Colorado militia under Major Leslie and some cowboys, surprised Colorow's camp at about 6 a.m. yesterday, after having assured Colorow at Wolfe creek the day before that they be allowed to go back to the reservation unmolested. The attack was a complete surprise to the Indians. One child was killed and one man and woman slightly wounded. The Indians returned the fire, killing one cowboy, wounding three others and mortally wounding three militia soldiers. I talked with Major Leslie this morning, explaining the situation to him, and came to an understanding. He assured me he would not cross the reservation line without orders from the proper authority. I sent a note to Sheriff Kendall giving him your message, that if he had any warrants to serve, to serve them through you. This was in reply to a letter from him in regard to warrants in his possession for Colorow and others. I am satisfied that my presence prevented serious fighting and much loss of life, thanks to the influence of Interpreter Curtis. Indians Ungaskel, Wass, Cavanaugh and many others want peace if possible, or then war to the knife. Most of the Indians left at once to see you. I will camp tonight about twenty-five miles from the agency and come in tomorrow if nothing prevents.

George R. Burnett.
First Lieutenant Ninth cavalry."

"Agent Byrnes has shown great direction constantly. He has the confidence of his Indians perfectly and if not attacked on their reservation will hold them securely. They are well armed and superbly mounted. None of those who have lived on the reservation went to Colorow's assistance until after the attack. It is reported by Burnett that now he is on the reservation. If further pursuit is made by the Colorado troops they will stay with him and make a terrible tale of bloodshed. The tribe is armed and prepared for the defensive.

Randlett, Commander Post."

I have telegraphed the same to General Crook at Rawlins, where he will be tomorrow.

Ray, A. A. General.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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