The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-05-02
THE MOD0C WAR.

LIZ "VOVS a. gL
BATTLE oF THE LAVA JACK FORCED
FROM HIS STRONGHOLD.
A dispatch dated Headquarters Modoc Ex-
pcdition, Camp South Of Tule Lake, April 16,
which the Modocs were forced out Of the lava
beds: .
The day opened warm and still, but was ush-
cred in by a roar of musketry and occasional
booming of howitzers. Gen. Gillem, who had
been waiting for the arrival of his stores and
the Warm Spring Indians, issued orders yes.
terday for the tents to be struck down in q
compact place near the hospital, for the troops
to be supplied with three days rations and 100
rounds Of ammunition. Next, for the cavalry
to be ready to move at 2 q. m. to-day, and for
Col. Mason, on the opposite side of the lava
bed, to move at the same hour on the enemy.
Col. Perry's and Lieut.. Cressan's cavalry were
to conceal themselves until joined in the morn
ing by the infantry and artillery. II WAS hoped
when the latter companies left camp that the
Modocs would observe them, and, in an attempt
to cut them of, fall into the hands Of the cav
airy. These movements were faithfully exc
cuted, and probably hurried a little on our side
by the escape of Long Jim, q Modoc, who was
under guard a prisoner of war. At midnight
he leaped past the guard and escaped, though
many shots were fired at him. f.
At daylight We had an irregular fusilade on
the opposite side Of the lava bed, and we knew
that Col. Mason's forces or his skirnishers
were engaged. At six we heard the boom Of q
howitzer and saw shells bursting over Capt.
Jacks camp. At this time the rocks were
swarming with Indians, and the firing was
rapid. The plan of battle was from the north
side. Col. Mason was in advance of his com.
mand on the right of Warm Spring, the In
dams on his left. From this side there YVES
only the lake for the Mokocs to escape by.
Lieut.. Greery was in camp in charge of the
arms and ammunitions. Capt. Trimble, First
Artillery, with twenty men, was left in charge
Of the camp on this side. Col. Green, at Z
O'Clock a. m, united with Col. Perry's COM
pany. In about an hour and q half after leav-
ing camp the ball opened. While marching
along the lake shore, just at the head Of a
long cave, about a mile and a half from Jacks
camp, they encountered the first opposition,
with struggling shots from the bluff, at long
range.
The men deployed in open skirmish order,
and advanced slowly under such cover as the
rocks afforded. Our right gorge opened on
the blum, from the right bank of which came
struggling shots, while a few fell around us
from the left point. Our administers crept up.
supported by reserves, until we arrived within
short ranpa whan q sav,ora --ii., ,-.a al
from the bluffs, evidently there being twenty
five or thirty Indians posted there. The fire
was hervy, After standing abont fifteen min
utes, the order to charge was given, and the
men sprang forward amid the most deafenipp
yells from the Modocs Such was the rapidity
OF the onslaught, and so unexpected, the
troops were on them before they knew il, and
in a few minutes were masters Of the situation, |
and our brave boys behind the rocks resting at |
their leisure. Gen. Gillem had sent an order
to Col. Mason to stir them up on his side, and |
he let into them with a vengence, distracting
their attention materially and assisting our
troops. The charge was a gallant one.
At 2 p. m. the order was given to advance
the mortars. Maj. Thomas is in command.
Lieut.. Cranston Howe, Fourth Artillery, |
Sergeant Ramer, and nineteen men composed
the party, as gallant a set as ever handled
guns. At half-past 4 the line deployed down
the lake opposite Jacks camp, and crossed the |
intervening open space ut double-quick with
out receiving q shot. They are now In readi-
ness to charge on the Bluffs when the mortars
have done their work. The mortars arrived
the ground, and tool position. ALI quiet
until $3.50, when a sudden and heavy volley
rolled along Msson's line, and continued several
Maj. Thomas dropped shells directly
into it, provoking frantic w~ar-whoops. There
a sudden extinguishing OF the fire. An
other shell dropped in the same locality, and
followed by yells OF pain and dismay. The
Modocs then appeared and challenged the SOL
iiers to come out and fight. Another shell
was the answer, and they were driyenback. ~~e
At Q O'Clock Col. Gillem's command moved
from the position gained on Tuesday.
md soon occupied b ridge next to Jacks
amp. Col. Mason then moved right forward
is rapidly as possible, to form q junction with
left, cutting of the Modocs from the
AXE, and from their only source Of water sup
ply. The junction was effected at noon. At
p. m. the mortars were throwing shells in
EXCELLENT range. Col. Green fell back behind
he ledge, awaiting the Modocs, should the
'hells drive them ont. After firing they re-
'lied through yells, which were frequent. On
NTH shell there came Q rsking fire and
heet of flame. A small party Of men sprsng
'ut OF the chasm and came into the lines amid
shower Of bullets. The falling back was
aused by the Modocs hanking and opening a
fire. Col. Miller, in attempting to form