The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-04-17
THE MODOC WAR.
A History OF the Trouble.

| Oeen source OF une6slness 10 tue SCI
tiers in Southern Oregon. Their camp
before the retreat to the lava beds, was
at the mouth OF Lost river, where it
empties into the Tule or Rhett Lake.
and they got their living by hunting
and fishing, and Oft times by stealing
rom the settlers when they got a good
chance. During last sum mer the coun.
try about Rhett and klamath Lakes,
and on the banks Of Lost rlver was
largely settled by people mostly from
the neigh borhood OF Eugene and Jack
sonville.
RAIDlNG on TIE RANCHES.
During the summer of 1872 the Mo-
docs, in their camp at the mouth Of
Lost river, looked on the increased i'm
migration to their neigh borbood with q
good deal OF jealousy They knew that
as the country filled up they would be
compelled TO give way, and finally SUBJ
NIT TO going on the reservation. 10 con-
sequence oil this they soou became more
troublesome 10 their manner toward
the new settlers they were particularly
insolent, generally treating them in a
manner which implied the most intense
hatred.
CAPT. JACK DRFIEs THE TROOPS.
Finally things got so bad the settlers
resolved to do something for their own
protection. They united in petition
to the Superintendent OF Indian Affairs
ior the district Of Oregon, requesting
that he take measures to remove the
Modocs, Captain Jack, Scsrfaced Char
lev, and all included, TO the lndisu re-
servatiou on Rogue river. The superiu-
teudent laid the petition before the
Commissioner OF Indian Affairs in
Washington. That officer at once or
dered that the Modocs be placed on
forcibly if necessary. The order wa
Of the most peremptory character, and
the superintendent proceeded to the To-
dian camp hut chiefs, Captain Jack and
Scarfaced Charley. heard of his sp-
prosch, and knowing what 1t meant,
refused to meet him, and set his au>
thorjty at defiance.
MAJOR JAcKsoN's MARCH.
Fort klamath is situated about forty
miles north OF the Indian camp To-
this poilt Superintendent Odeneal now
repaired and requested NJ Major Jacksons
aid in carrying out his order, He plac
ed the order 10 the Majors banda and
stipulated that It should be carried out
without bloodshed, if possible, and thai
force sufficient to overawe the ssvages
should be used. But the courage and
disposition Of Captain Jacks band seems
to have been underrated, for Major
Jackson started out with only thirty
five cavalry 10 effect the object desired
rhe Indians then numbered one hun
dred, and it was folly to believe that
they would allow thirty-6ve cavalry
men 70 lrighten them into submission
SURROUNDING THE BAND IN THEIR CAMP.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1872, Major
.Jacksons command, accompanied bv
Ivan Applegare,a settler at Gear Lake,
and James Brown, messenger OF the
Indian Department, arrived at the lndl'
an camp at the mouth OF Lost river
They arrived there at early dawn, and
quietly surrounded the ctmps on either
side OF tue river. Major Jackson taxi
ing the side on which was located Cap
lain Jacks cabin, and Applegate, with
ten or twelve citizens, taking the other
side, where about half OF the warriors
had their buts.
TIE FIRST BATTLE
When all was ready the presence Of
the military was made known, and in
stantly the camp became scene o.
CONFUSION. Ind ans ran bither and
thither, seized their guns and huddled
together in q sullen msnper, apparent
Iy ready TO fee at q moments notice.
Major jackson asked if any o. the In-
diaus spoke English Scsrisced Char
ley came forward, gun ip hand, and
said angrily that he did. Major Jack
son then explained to Charley the ma
ture Of the order from Washington,
and requested the Modocs TO 90 quietly |
to their reservation. Charley interpre-
ted to Captsir Jack and the other In
dams, all o whom shook their beads,
and turned their backs in token OF un-
qualified refus'l to obey the order
While Major Jackson was delibersting
what to do Scsrisced Charley sudden
" raised his gun and fired at Lieuten-
ant Boutelle, who stood in front OF hIs
men. This, Of couse, WAS the slgnsl
for battle Lieutenant Boutelle prompt
ly returned the fire, and the fight at
once became general. The officers and
men stood their ground well aud fought
bravely, but they were largely outnum
bered by the Indians, who had also 40
advantage in ground. While the bat
lie was going on with the troops, Ap-
plegste and Brown, with the settlers on
the Opposite side OF the river, took sev.
eral guns awsy from the Indians onthelr
side, but when the firing began the bat /
tie opened there too. Three or tour OF
the Indians were killed and one citizen
John Thurbur, q settler. who had
Joined the party. Major Jackson ns
command suffered quite severely, one
soldier being killed and four wounded
two OF them mortsIly.
FLIGHT OF THE REDS.
Seeing that the Indians were too
strong 10 be dislodged or subdued with
the force at his command, Major Jack
son Withdrew the troops to the other
side of the river to care for bis wound
ed The Iud ans who had been fight
ing the own-Applegate party fled
acro-s the river and joined their band
under Captsin Jack, and as Major
IaaLaon had already cnoea aed 10 iOln