New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-25
THE NODOC indian WAR
From The Oregon Herald.

Prem The Oregon Uudld
IL ia possible that very erroneous impressions
get abroad Ia regard TO the recent trouble Win to
Modoc Indians IN this state, and such impressions may
have the tendency to retard inlmieraton with view
correct such false notions, 1t may De proper 70
southeastern frontier Of Oregon very remote from tlo
popuOus portions OF the state, WheIe Inc couiy
very Spaisey re,tsabo and can scarcely
ever ne repeated 1t has been attended with the killing
eaycent men whose I1ss must be- severely felt by
those setemeuts but It does not In any degree
affect tile peace good order Of other portions OF tue
state. The disturbance-war II cannot pTrYperx &c
caledwas entirely local. affecting only tho LINK RIVER
The origin Of the trouble as we understand IT, is about
follows region OF country IN the southeast part
of the state, called tho klamath reservation had Deeh
assigned By the Government 10 the occupancy 9h tag
Modoc Indians. Here the Government nad made Liberal
provision for the accommodation OF the Indians LOOKING
OF course, 10 their CIVILIZATION ana 20 Se nuopio vS
them Of habits Of industry. The Modocs, IL seems were
iSle Sassbopd lie which they had been accustomed
lead They were friendly terms with tho few settlers
IN that on and serious trouble was sppehended
from them; snl it was desirable that they should be
made occupy the reservation assigned 10 tho l1eii
ansIv imperatiye orders cams from Washington that
tho savages be taken 10 their reservation by force
Pe ~ was used but without avail Finally,
Dauy United states troops was ordered to the camp
directions to remove him and his people forcibly If
they refused to go peaceahy And here IT seems 70 u.s.
serious mistake was made. the troops from Fort Ka-
math. ordered TO this duty were entirely 100 rev IN
reS But il was supposed doubtless that the Indians
would not be so mad aud reeh as to attempt IorsDe
resistance They did however, resist When the oncer
in command with his troops came 10 Cnrley camp ne
first tried persuasion; and tnay when the Indians saw
they madly and foolishly decided TO hgnt shrInlsh
ensued, IN which some Indians were Killed anu tneh
they Indian like 10 massacre the unsuspect'
ing and defenseless settlers. whose Isolated
favored the Indian roo obeT STATIONS Were quickly
mased 10 sufficient numbers To protect the settlements
and tie settlers themselves aided other parts OF
q a ~.
lection. The Indians quick TO stf1ke were aDe nov"
en1,es pefare thew could be arrested The result will
be that Indians VIII now be forced upon tho reseI
guard Of Government troops. This Will be very speedily
Te following s description Of the lava bed country
and which is likely TO be the scene OF the M9doo opera
tions located on the southern shore OF Tue Le ana
boundary line, containing an OF ten miles square,
all cut up with assures and deep gulches and abomdng
with large caves the largest cave being that known as
Ben Wrigts cave said 10 contain fifteen acres OF open
space under ground in which there Is good sp1g ana
many openings by which man can crawl through the
main entrance being about thobize OF acommon window
The gulches and creyces range from few feet to 100
feet in width, and many OF them 100 ieet deep Iao IN
dyns travel all through THIS lava country by ras
known only to themselves, ana stand on Dlnns
over q person 100 feet beneath, where IL would
require long journey TO 60 10 them. IN lhis
lava bed are also small Oats lnxurant with bunch
grass where cattle find great trouble IN reaching by
long crcuitols travel rough Lava roek, while on
the outskirts OF the lava bed may continually he found
largo amount of stock the cattle range Deng unsllr
passed The Indians can see every one coming IN nye
or without themselves being seen 1hey can also
let their puTsuers within few feet OF tho Dln ana
shoot down, retiring, II necessary TO other similar Dhs
A. 10 food the Indians find all they want OF cattle
IN and around the bed and also go out IN tue
lake in canoes 10 fish or shoot game. The only tnng
Iey now lack for a long sege will be ammunition for
their guns but they will make arrows instead those
pursuing viii have To follow the Indians ON foot, aud IN
onrneying through these gules aud crevces to hunt
them must Expect 10 find the Modocs OH the high buis
above them every point or making their way through
concealed passages hiding places. IL viii re-
aure the greatest cunning and strategy to capture or
exterminate tue MOdOcs this lava section, notwth-
standing their insi gnihCant numbers.