New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-21
THE ESCAPE or THE MoDOCS.

THE ESCAPE OF THE MODOC&
The Modoc war has entered into the new
phase which we apprehended at the moment
of the massacre at Tule Lake. The army oc-
cupied several days and lost fifteen persons
in killed and wounded in getting possession
of the lava-beds, and on arriving there found
that the Indians were gone. The troops have
started in pursuit, but it is impossible to pre-
dict the result of the chase. 1t is not just
to blame the officers or soldiers for this ex-
asperating close of the tragedy. The coun-
try about the lake Is very difficult, almost i'm
practicable for regular troops and the num-
Der of our killed and wounded, about one
fourth the entire number of the saw
ages shows that whatever might have
been their prudence and sagacity, there
was no lack of courage displayed
! in their fruitless attack. 1t will be safer and
more charitable to conclude that Gen. Gillem
and his subordnates did all that could be ex-
pected under the circumstances, and that the
details which to-day seem inexplicable will be
made clear by the official reports. There is
one thing which viii not agreeaby affect the
average civilized mind All the dispatches
enumerate with evident satisfaction the Give
"scalps" which our side has taken in the fight,
and the fact that the fifth was procured from
the head of the wounded Scar-faced Charlie
seems to be especially enjoyed. Let us trust
that this diversion was left to our amiable
Warm Springs allies, and if we are mistaken
in this, it would be gracious act for our
correspondents not to undeceive MS. We do
not think the most vigorous Indian policy
would require rigid observance OF this
ceremony.
The grave fact remains that the fighting
Modocs, whose hostility was considered months
ago sufficiently serious matter to engross
the attention of the War and interior Depart
ments, have now, after a much more terrible
and significant outrage than any recorded in
our border annals, escaped almost unhurt and
UNPUBLISHED to the more distant hills, where
there is no certainty whatever of reaching
them. They have always been dangerous
! tribe. They are a remnant of the Pitt River
or Rogue River Indians, with whom we have
already had frequent collisions. They have
vastly increased their influence for evil by
their recent crimes, and their successful resist
ance for so many weeks of all the force the
| Government could bring against them. Con-
| temptible as they are in numbers and in
intelligence, every man among them carries
| with him henceforth among the wild tribes of
the mountains constant cogtagion OF murder
and instruction. They are the heroes of the
hour among their savage kindred and the
story of their exploits will lose nothing of its
coloring as recited by hundreds of council fires
1t is no ordinarylthing they have done; and it
will appear still more important than it is to
4 Ill b 4
murder of three white chiefs and a battle
with white army, followed by safe retreat
will be proof positive of their superiority to
their detested enemies. Already the instinct
of the frontier has recognized the imminent
danger. A general rising is more than ever
feared. The Indians on the Klamath and
Salmon Rivers, and in fact throughout South
ern Oregon and Northern California, are al
ready fully aware of all that has happened.
The young braves are always eager for war.
The renegade whites among them who have
become members of their tribes, see in an ex-
tended rising promise of booty and of gain
full treachery to both sides. If pretexts should
be lacking they are easily found. The hang
ers-On of the frontier posts, who find their
profit in a state of war, can always furnish
with all the necessary vagueness of circum-
stance.
just while this critical state of things pre-
walls in the West. it seems to be the desire of
the President to restore to the Kiowas and
Comanches their chiefs Satanic and Big Tree
who were tried and convicted of murder some
time ago in Texas, and whose punishment was
committed to imprisonment. These intelligent
and keen witted savages naturally want these
experienced leaders with them in view of pos
sible contingencies, and they have restored
some white captives and stolen property to
secure their release. Gov. Davis of Texas, in
answer 10 the demand of Superintendent Hoag,
replies that he would prefer to delay the re-
lease of these redoubtabe warriors for few
weeks until the Texas Legislature has adj
iourned and he can visit Fort Sill. We do not
know under what obligations the Government
officers may have placed themselves in regard
to these men, but most people everywhere,
and everybody west of the Mississippi, will
agree that their release is matter IN which