The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-21
THE MODOC WAR.
The Herald Correspondent on the
Scene Of Action.
An Alpine Journey in
Mid-Winter.
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE.
What the Settlers Think About the
Indian Commissioners.
A NlCCER IN THE FENCE.
The Battle of the Lava Beds and
Uncle Sans Defeat.
How the Bloodthirsty Savages Gibed the
Soldiers in the Fog.
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL GILLEM.
The Position of the Troops and the
Future Programme.
N0N.ARRIVAL OF THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS
Ho~akos~@. r
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL GILLEM.
The Position of the Troops and the
Future Programme.
soy-ARRIVL OF THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS
Captain Jacks Alleged Reasons
for Declaring War.
HERALD HEADQUARTERS,
FAIRCHILD's RANCuE, SIsKIYOU COUNTY,
UPPER CALIFORNIA. Feb. 5. 1S7a

FAIRCHILDS RANCuE, SfSKIYOU COUNTY,
UPPER CALIFORNIA, Feb. 8, 1873
Ihave at last arrived in the neighborheod OF the
famous lava beds, spot which will be celebrated
for years to come as the scene OF one OF the most
decided victories the Indians ever achieved in this
State After arriving in San Francisco l was
shown despatch from the neighborhoOd OF Yreka
stating that they had experienced Q very heavy
fall OF snow rendering the roads nearly lmpassa-
bic, and consequently obstructing the portage OF
ammunition and rations to the 'front.' /, however,
decided to leave Immediately, and started last
Saturday morning by rail to Reddng, via Sacra-
mento. The journey by rail to Redding took seven
teen hours, bringing me to the latter spot at
eleven O'Clock p. NJ. the same day. resumed my
journey on the following day by STAGE leaving at
SIX A. M. After tedious journey, lasting about
thirty-six hours over very bad road and part Of
the journey through eighteen inches OF snow,
arrived at Yreka last Monday afternoon at six
O'Clock.
YREKA.
Yreka Is a small mining town OF about one thou.
sand five hundred inhabitants and situated in Sis.
kiyou county, some four hundred miles due north
of San Francisco and about sixty or seventy miles
south OF the border line between oregon and Cali
fornia. There was considerable excitement In this
little community about the Indian troubles, and ON
the whole the business portion OF the residents
were rather jubiant as trade was good. In con-
sequence Of the demand for grain to supply the
troops the price OF the latter article had risen from
two cents to four cents. but at the latter figure
there was plenty to be had. Colonel Hague, who
was stationed at Yreka forwarding up supplies
stated that the troops were now well furnished
with rations, forage and ammunition. Finding
the news at Yreka relative to the war was Of the
most opposite nature, deemed II prudent to visit
the scene OF action before sending my first letter.
In fact 1t was hard to find two people with the
same story; and, having no inclination to be
"steambOated," as they call 1t, paid visit to q
livery stable and contracted with the pro-
prietor for passage to the army headquar.
tiers, some seventy miles distant, in an easteriy
direction. Having learned that there were no &C
commodations at the front. and, in fact no tents
for the men, supplied myself with rubber sheet
and plenty OF blankets in order to be prepared for
camping out.
MOVING TO THE FRONT.
left Yreka early Tuesday morning, In company
with correspondent Of Sacramento paper, and,
after Q pleasant drive Of about eighteen miles
across Little shasta Valley, we began the ascent
Of Goose Nest Mountain. This proved to be
rather tedious undertaking, as the incline was
steep and the road heavy. The country through
which we passed gave evidence OF volcanic
origin, as some very abrupt strata Of rock were
visible in all directions, giving the appearance Of
mass OF rock suddenly uplifted by some violent
action and hurled in every direction. After about
twelve miles OF ascent arrived at the top OF the
range and continued along its summit for short
distance, passing through considerable depth OF
snow. The mountain was well tmbered with i'm
mense sugar, yellow and bastard pines spruce, FIR
redwood and mountain maple. During the ascent
we passed several empty wagons returning from
the front, and also two United States cayalrymen.
These gentlemen told us they were going down to
airv hnty hava ali LIAR mo-
they were deserving. The descent on the north
,ern side OF the mountain was toerably easy, as
the road was well graded; but in some places 1t
was very soft, and our wagon sunk in on several
occasions up to the axle trees. Descending the
mountain we obtained view Of Butte Creek Val
ley with Mount shasta In the distance away to
the eastward. Mount shasta is the highest noun
tain in the neighborhood. being over fourteen
thousand feet above the level OF the sea. and was
originally q volcano, fact which probably ac-
counts for the nature OF the surrounding country.
The hundreds Of cattle and horses that dotted
Butte Creek Valley showed plainly the calling
pursued by the residents OF that locality, and we
presently had the pleasure OF making the ac-
quaintance Of one Of the occupants OF
the valley, at whose rancho we passed the
night We arrived at Balls rancho about
vs M and rom ner yreN or ar
miles, in about nine hours. IL may appear rather
slow travelling TO those accustomed TO the civil
lied regions OF the East but was most agreeably
pleased at not being swamped and lett on the
mountain all night Mr. Bail and his brother re-
ceived us with the accus toned hospitality OF the
frontier settler, and after doing ample justice TO
bountifu supper unroed my blankets, and,
stretching out on the moor, enjoyed good sleep
before bright log fire. Before laying down, how.
ever, made some inquiries as to the locality OF
Genera Gillem's headquarters, and was informed
sna. ne mad Just pitched his camp at Van Bremers
S'auon. some twenty-five miles distant
we started next morning and crossed Butte
SIeek rat but missed the road, to Van
T premers ana nnally struck Doris rancho.
lnere we learned that General Gillem
was expected shortly from Fairchids rancho,
Anu 30 we started out and met the Gen.
IAlaoout TWO niles from Doris riding In an open
wagon. ana delivered him some despat ches that
nao peen entrusted to my charge at Yreka
Inc General informed me that he was going 70 stop
the night ~ Dorris and proceed in the morning 10
LOST hver. AS the General stated conld get
horse AT Falrchlld's We resumed our iournev AMI
arrives % the last-named place at four p n. tina
Az noon. A 'A''
THE MoDoc BOTHER.
1 will now give a brief sketch OF the Modoc
troubles and their origin, as far as nave nee
able to learn from the settlers VINO have resided
here Tor the past eighteen years. The Modec tribe
have for the last forty years resided on Lost River
and this section OF the country, and in fact
clam II as their own. Since the whites 1rst lo.
GATED this section OF the country, on the borders
OF oregon and California, they nave occasional
had trouble with the MCdocs, but in nearly al cases
No he