The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-04-24
he ModoC War.

tnual hemming of them in. Cavalry. in
fantry and artillery have been employed,
the latter dropping shell among them, and
making their positions exceedingly I'M
comfortable A number of the sayaoes
have been killed. A report, which as vet
lacks confirmation, is 70 the effect that the
Indians have escaped to a new and more
inaccessible location The following de-
spatches will give an idea of the manner
in which the war is conducted
LAVA BEDS, April 16
During the night the Modocs position
remained the same as they occupied at
sunset yesterday This morning a hotlv
contested fight took place on Col Greene's
left. The Indians endeavored to get to
the lake for water, but our troops succeed
ed IN keeping them away. At O'Clock,
A. NJ. despatch from Col Mason's camp
was received saying that some of the Mo
docs had passed out on his left and were
then on his flank and rear. During the
night the mortars under the command of
Maj or Thomas opened fire on the Modoc
camp, which was kept up and very much
annoyed the Indians, who could be heard
| yelling and shouting at an awful rate from
the south to the lake. Only part of the
Modocs could have got out on Col. Ma
sons left, and the Indians can be heard
in the vicinity of Jacks cave The NOR
tars, which have ceased firing since day
hight, have been ordered to n new posi-
ton within 500 yards of the cave and near
| the lake.
About II O'Clock Coils. Greene and Ma
son, with their commands, effected June
| ton, which entirely cut off the Modocs
| from the water. After this movement
was effected occasional firing was heard
at different parts of the line. 1t was de-
cided not to push our men on the Indian
| stronghold, as we might lose many men
without killing an Indian. whereas, if we
could keep them from the water they
would have to leave their position. We
could not find them in 4 stronger one.
Our losses in the two days fight have
been five killed and ten wounded The
only officer vet wounded is Lieut. Egan,
| a flesh wound in the left leg, and he is do
ing well. The junction has been formed
between Greene's right and Mason's left.
Five Indians are reported killed of these
we have some scalps. None of our killed
or wounded have vet fallen into the hands
of the Indians. If is evident that if our
men can hold their position on the lake
shore the Modocs will have to surrender.
There is at present a heavy fire of mus
kerry near the lake shore, and the Indians
are evidently fighting for the water
Every one who has seen our troops in ac-
ton speak OF them in the highest terms.
1REkA, April H. Mr.. Costello, "a special
courier, arrived at noon, having left head
a,tC, ott INo n Il Il !
night, with the following news OF vester-
days work: Early Wednesday morning,
the Modocs had big fire in their camp. |
Major Thomas dropped shell directly in
to it, provoking frantic war-whoop and
causing the sudden eXtinguishment of the
fire. Another shell was dropped in the
same locality and was followed by wells
OF pain and dismay The Modocs then
appeared and challenged the soldiers to
come out and fight. Another she'll was
the answer, and they We're drivt.l back. |
At O'clock A. NJ after another fight, |
the Modocs gave mp the attempt to break
through our line and retired Scattering
shots Were fired at the men, who attempt
ed TO advance on them. AT 8 o'clock Col |
Gillem's company moved forward from
the position gained on Tuesday, and soon
occupied the ledge next to Capt Jacks
camp. Col. Mason moved the right for
ward as rapidly rs possible to form u
junction with Gen. Gllem's left, cutting
oil the Modocs from the lake their only
source of water supply. The junction
was effected at noon. At 2 p. M. the
mortars were throwing shells within ex-
cellent range.
LATER.
4 ;,l II, A.
camp 10 the DIST, contains the following
For two days there have been no Modocs
to fight with. They have gone, it is I'M
certain where, but we expect to hear soon
of their whereabouts and destruction.
Thursday night two troops of cavalry and
seventy Warm Spring Indians, with three
days rations started on the east side of
the lava beds, and Friday morning two
more troops of cavalry left for hunt of
the Modocs. 1t is believed to be impos-
sble for the remainder of the Modocs, en-
numbered with the woman and chill
dren to escape.
-Four companies OF Infantry and two
batteries of artillery are now guarding
Capt Jacks stronghold under Col. Ma
son.
Gen. Gillem made personal oxamina-
ton OF Capt. Jacks stronghold, which
shows that without mortars and howit-
zers the indians could never have been
driven oct. The soldiers found the bodies
OF an Indian and 4 squaw hidden in diff |
lerent parts Of the rocks. Ashes were
found, showing that the Nrodocs had
burned their de,i. A few Indians were
sighted aboIt -four miles south Yesterday, |
on bluff, but no troops We're seuteatter
them.
An old Modoc squaw was captured YES
terday who stated that one Of the shells |
during a recent attack tell near Il council |
OF indians, and that one eyed Jake picked |
1t up, took il 10 Schonchin and another
INDIAN, when ii exploded, killing all |
three. She stated that four Others were
killed by musket balls the same day, and |
their bodies hid. II appears from the |
bodies found and the traces of those |
burned, that at least l6 or II Modocs |
We're killed and an equal number wound |
ed
The matter now is reduced to hunting
the Indians in the rocks and ii will be
some time before they are all DESTROYED. |
Meacham is able to be about and orr sick
and wounded are doing well. Capt. Has
brauck's light battery are on their way
here. 1t is feared that the Modocs have
broken into squads Of five or six and scat
tered.
Tie New York Sun publishes a state
ment in relation to the robbery which. II
will be remembered, occurred in Wash
ington toward the close of the last Con-
gress and of which the late Vice-P President
was the victim. sharp thief, says the
Sun, got wind of the fact that Colfax had
concealed box of valuable bonds and
stocks in his trunk during the investiga-
ton, where it was supposed to be hidden
from human eyes. To open the trunk
and carry off the precious contents is said
to have been the work of an expert whose
keen scent had made him fcllow-lodeer
with Coltax for that express purpose. 1t
is stated that the story that onl y a thousand
OF two dollars, some iewclry, laces and
toggery were stolen was a sham. and
that, in point OF fact tenth of million
| had been stolen, which he did not dare to