The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-24
HERALD HEADQUARTERS.
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sooner this lava bed was inspected the better. Ar
rangements were then made for an attack, and as
soon as the available troops had arrived In the
neighbOrhood General Wheaton had several csun-
ellis with Colonel Green, Colonel Mason and others
to the best means of getting at Jack IN his lair
The lava beds were inspected and oil the old
settlers interrogated as to the geography. with
reference to the moving of troops in that oirec-
ton. There appeared to be good many opinions
as to
TIE NATURE OF THE GROUND
within the lava beds section, and, although all
agreed in saying 1t was very rough country, no
one was competent to describe the extraordinary
volcanic formations that were afterwards disc0v-
cred by the troops when they made the assault.
Alter mature consideration Of the various plans of
attack that were suggested General Wheaton de-
cided to make movement in force, which, should
1t not prove successful, would at least enable him
to obtain satisfactory reconnaissance Of the
ground upon which to base his plans for any future
aggressive movement. Everything being ar
ranged, the following orders were issued to the
officers in command
THE ORDERS FOR THE ATTACK.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
AND OF THE TROOPS OPERATING
IN THE MODoC COUNTRY
CAMP NEAR VAN BRIMMER's RANCH, Cal,
Jan. H. 1873.
GENERAL FIELD oRDERs-No. g.
!. The troops will move IRON their present camp
east and west OF the lava beds on Thursday 10th
OF January, and take positions Tor the attack on
ing.
= At four A. NJ. on Thursday next Major John
west Of Tue Of Indian pickets ana scouts and
some three miles west Of the Modoc position.
3. MAJOR L. q. Mason's battalion Twenty-1rst
and B, commanded BY Second Lieutenant II. D. w ",
Moore-and detachment OF twenty men OF COM
pany, Twenty-nrst infantry, under First Sergeant
teer militia two companieS-A, Captain Hugh
Kelly. and y, Captain o. l.. Applegate-and Leuten-
ant w. ii. Millers battery-a section OF mountain
howitzers-wil march from Van Brimmer's Ranch
to camp on blum west OF Tule Lake. In time to
p. M on the 10th inst. The camp viii be SO located
and arranged to be secure from observation by
the Modocs, and every precaution taken to prevent
precise location.
4. District Headquarters will accompany the
s. Early on the 18th OF January the troops
above named Will move into the lava beds to at
tack the Modoc camp, and in the following order:-
Major L. G. Mason's battalion, Twenty-drst infan.
try leading, followed by General j. Z. Ross Oregon
volunteer militia and the section OF mountain
howttzers packed Captain d. Perry. Troop +,
First cavalry, will follow the howitzer battery
8. When the troops have reached position near
the Modoc camp the main force will be deployed on
the right OF the infantry battalion in close skirmsh
order, and lett hali-wheel OF the whole line will
be executed In order to enclose the southern side
OF the M0doc position and connect the right of the
main force with the left Of Captain Bernard's
troop, who are simultaneously to attack on the
east.
7. Also the troops operating against the Modscs
are to move from this camp with three days cooked
rations in haversacks, two blankets, one hundred
rounds OF ammunition on the person, and fifty
rounds in close reserve. Canteens will be filed at
Little Klamath Lake by the troops moving from
Van Brunimer's Ranch, and care taken 70 water
every horse and pack mule at that point, as there
is no water on the blum where the main force Will
encamp on the night of the 10th inst
b. "a CHARGED
the execution of these movements and the details
OF the attack.
o. Lieutenant W. II. Miller, First cavalry, COM
manding the howitzer battery, will report to Major
Green for orders and Instructions as to when and
where TO prepare his guns for action IN the pro-
10. The troops on the east side Of the lava beds
nard, ana d." captain James JACKSON E. FIRST Ir
cavalry, and the klamath Indian scouts under Dave
HILL VIII move from camp on the 10th inst. to
point not more than two miles from the NodOc
position. At sunrise ON the Eth this force will
attack the Modoc camp, with their right resting on
or near Tule Lake, and when sufficiently near to
render the movement advisable right half wheel
Will be executed, IN order to connect the lett OF
this force with the troops attacking from the west
In his advance Captain Bernard Will take steps to
capture any canoes the Medocs may have near
their camp, OF at least use every effort to prevent
Indians escaping by water. Captain X. +. Bernard,
First cavalry Will execute these movements under
such detailed instructions as he may receive rom
Major John Green, First cavalry.
IL. Alter the first three shots have been fired by
the howitzer battery as the signal Tor the troops
attaCklng on the east SIDE oil the M0dOc camp
hring viii cease for fifteen minutes, and an Indian
scout directed to notify the nearest Modocs that
ten minutes time will be allowed them to permit
their women and children to come into our lines
Any proposition by the Modocs to surrender win
be referred at once TO the District Commander, who
viii be present.
Il. Lieutenant W. II. Boyle Twenty first infan.
try, Acting Field Quartermaster and Commissary
OF subsistence and guard Of ten men, will remain
at this camp in charge OF the temporary field depot
until further orders.
Is. Lieutenant John Adams, First cavalry, Acting
Assistant Adjutant General, District OF the Lakes,
airy, VIII furnish from mis- command such details as
may be required for the howitzer battery and ac-
company the District Commander. Lieutenant
Ara , VIII be prepared to communicate by signals
wr Wv une signal sergeant, who has been detailed
AZ, uuy WIN the troops operating on the east side
Of the Modoc POS ton. -
e,a ~. Assistant Surgeon Henry McEldery United
States Army, VIII give the necessary directions
and instructions TO the medical officers with me
oinerent commands and detachments I'm the field
BY order o." WV A~A~'
Brevet major General &c FRANK WHEATON, o. A.,
~'@n"ns Soionel Twenty-nrst Infantry,
1890 - commanding District OF tine lakes
Acting Assistant Adjutan General ~'"''
In pursuance OF the above and according "a in.
structions, the troops moved frop their ouartors
on the 10th inst. and camped in the respective ,oc..
tons to which they were assigned Colonc, per.
nard, with two troops Of the First cavalry. haa a
little skirmish the evening OF the lsth az in tho
fog which Is very prevalent In that section OF the
country, he advanced rather nearer to Jack,s
stronghold than he intended, and when he found
out his mistake and made move to retire,
THE INDIANS OPENED FIRE
from position they had taken In the rocks They
were finally driven RON their shelter and forced