Near Sinclair in Carbon County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Thornburgh's Command

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 9, 2015

1. Thornburgh's Command Marker

Photo Source: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 8 November 1879 November 8, 1879

Inscription. Thornburgh's Command Defended Themselves Behind a Breastwork.... of barrels, sacks of flour, wagons and dead horses as Ute Indians rained bullets down bluffs along Milk Creek. The battle that raged from about noon on Monday, September 29, 1879, until 8:30 that night took the lives of Thornburgh and 12 of his men and inflicted numerous casualties upon the Utes before peace was restored.

"If you can accompany me on the White River expedition... come on." - Telegram sent September 16th, 1879 to Lt. John Burke, Omaha Barracks, Nebraska, from Major Thornburgh.

Erected by Wyoming Recreation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is September 29, 1879.

Location. 41° 46.669′ N, 106° 56.769′ W. Marker is near Sinclair, Wyoming, in Carbon County. Marker is on State Highway 347 near County Route 80. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sinclair WY 82334, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Major Thomas Tipton Thornburgh (here, next to this marker); Rock Springs Massacre (here, next to this marker); Image of Fort Fred Steele (here, next to this marker); Major General Frederick Steele (here, next to this marker); Major General Philippe Regis de Trobriand

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(here, next to this marker); Viewing the Fort Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Fred Steele after 1886 (within shouting distance of this marker); Enlisted Men's Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sinclair.

More about this marker. This marker, among a grouping of a half-dozen other markers, is located at Fort Fred Steele State Park on County Road 347, north of the Interstate 80 Exit 228 and on the north side of the railroad tracks near where County Road 347 passes beneath the railroad bridge.

Also see . . . Battle of Mill Creek - Wikipedia. The Battle of Milk Creek began on September 29, 1879, in northern Colorado, and lasted several days as the United States Army and warriors of the White River Ute tribe engaged in what was to be one of the last true battles of the so-called Indian wars. (Submitted on October 21, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 9, 2015

2. Thornburgh's Command Marker

Milk Creek Canyon Disaster, death,Major Thomas Tipton Thornburgh,1879 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By National Police Gazette, circa 1879

3. Milk Creek Canyon Disaster, death,Major Thomas Tipton Thornburgh,1879

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.