St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-04-25
The Modoc War.


CAPTURE OF AN INDIAN STRONGHOLD.
The dav opened warm and still. but
was ushered in by the roar of muskct-
~ and the occasional booming of how
tiers. The troops had. as far as posi-
bic, been thrown around the position
occupied by the Indians.
At daylight we heard an irregular
tusilade on the opposite side OF the lava
bed, and knew that Col. Mason : fore"
or his skirmiShcrS. were engaged. At
o'clock we heard the boom of howitzcr'
and some shells bursting over Capt
Jacks camp. At this time the rocks
were swarming with Indians. and tn,
firing was rapid.
While marching along the lake shore
just ahead of Long cave, about Il mile
and half from Jacks camp. the troop
encountered the first opposition. Strag-
Cling shots were fired from the BLUM a
long range. The men were dcploycc
into open SkirmiSh order, and advanced
slowly under such cover as the rock
afforded. Our right opened Il gorge ii
the bluff. from the right bank III wlIicl
cam" Struggling shots. while Il few trl
a ound us from the left bank. ON
skirmishcrS crcpt up. supported by tn,
range, when severe vollcy WAS fired
from the bluff, there evidently being y
or - Indians posted there. The lirC
was heavy. After standing Ii minutes
the order to charge WAS given. and the
men sprang forward amid most dcafrti-
ing yells from the Muducs. Such WIS
the rapidity of the onslaught. and 81
unexpected. that the troops were on
them before they knew it. and in Il few
minutes we were masters of the Situa-
ton, and our brave boys behind the
rocks, resting ut their leisure. Gen.
Gillem had sent an order to Col. Mason
to stir up the Indians on his side. ana
! he let into them with vengeance. dis
tracing their attention and materially
assisting "ur troops. The charge was a
gallant one.
McanW hilc we cXtIi".tcd our wound
ed. four in number. None were killed.
Il. McNanU>. of the firm of NicConnrll
y McNlamu>. merchants at lrcku. ven
iurcd between the advance line h,id hN
Capt. MillcI'S mcn.-Wh h" carried the
hluif under orders in such gallant >tlIr.
and the reserve line. and WAS >hcr
from the high bluff. and left on the
ground. The lines were JOO wards
apart. and the ground between them
uncovered.
All was quiet until DO when Il sud
den v"llcy ratified along C,l. Mason :
line and continued several minutes.
just previous To this il was >i"ualcd
that II" one had been killed OF wound
ed. The pack litiin "f the Wanl
spring Indians. CONFUSED of l. mules
a','' I'"' horses. mas .l'>' arll\"n. ~
,';' r. ~ '''' ii>i >h"' vas '!r" nom
ne .'l'' 'II PI''''i'@ " >''.li ''I' III 'h'
nuns y ~" >"'l'N "'l, II. 70
'''- wen ,''" Il i'iI' "' me Hi\i 'rU>'
a;nrai'i'I\ I"lh@ &""u ""I". n"
"'H''> '.,ii ''o - "n'' N!'i'' III" now
h'ld. W." th"''> intervene h'tNt"I
the men an" 'ii' ii''l" plateau. II. =
are now i. M htIilS moved forward.
;'> our men alc ready I" scale the nights.
1"l' Na>''h lI!l' mas MOI n'rh hi"kch.
10y tomorrow We shall l." with tn"
warm SpilhS ih"llll> ana nave III" red
n'h"> 'h'Ii'led, WIN h'It the lax" lrii
them l." escape 10y. From appearances
II would seem that the lower lake shore
and the bluffs have been cleared of In
dams 10y Col. Mason. - "lr mtu are
steadily advancing. without rccciN in@
any shots. Inc troops VIII probably
h"ld the lower rocks for cover until
morning.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF TIE FIGHT.
san Fr,>,1,,, Anvil i
The follovinr utiiri,I di.n,trh has
hecn received hero
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