Nothing was seen of or heard from the Indians until Bear River was reached; this runs north of the reservation and almost parallel with the northern line.  At the crossing of this stream, about sixty-five miles from White River Agency, ten Indians, headed by two Ute chiefs, Colorow and Jack, made their appearance.  They were closely questioned, but professed great friendliness for the whites and would betray none of the secrets of their tribe.  They declared that they were merely out on a hunt, and repeated that they were friends of the white man and of the Great Father’s government, and especially of the Great Father’s soldiers.

After this parley, which took place September 26, Thornburgh sent his last telegram from camp:  “Have met some of the Ute chiefs here.  They seem friendly and promise to go with me to the agency.  They say the Utes don’t understand why we came here.  I have tried to explain satisfactorily; don’t now anticipate any trouble.”  The conclusion is that Thornburgh was one of the most prudent and discreet of officers, but that he was thrown off his guard by the savages.

The march was continued and nothing more was seen of the Indians though a close watch by keen-eyed scouts was kept up for them, until Williams’ Fork, a small tributary of Bear River, was reached, when the same ten Indians first seen again quite suddenly and very mysteriously appeared.  They renewed their protestations of friendship, while they covertly and critically eyed the proportions of the command.  They made a proposition to the commander that he take an escort of five soldiers and accompany them to the agency.  A halt was called and Major Thornburgh summoned his staff to a consultation.  After carefully discussing the matter with a due regard for the importance, the advantage, and disadvantage of the step, the officers’ council came to the conclusion that it was not wise to accept this proffer on the part of the Indians, as it might lead to another Modoc trap, and to Thornburgh’s becoming another Canby.  Thornburgh’s scout, Mr. Joseph Rankin, was especially strong in opposition to the request of the Indians.

Major Thornburgh then concluded to march his column within hailing distance of the agency, where he would accept the proposition of the Indians.  But he was never allowed to carry out his designs.  Here it became apparent how thin the disguise of friendship had been, and Thornburgh was soon convinced how fatal would have been the attempt for him, accompanied by only five men, to treat with them.

The command had reached the point where the road crosses Milk River, another tributary of the Bear River, inside the reservation and in the limits of Summit County, about twenty-five miles north of the agency, when they were attacked