The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-04
General Eillem to Surround
the ~MOdOcs.
THE RECENT BUTCHERY.
DiSgraceful Conduct of a Portion Of
the Troops.
BRAVERY OF THE SURGEONS.
Only Two Modoc Indians Killed During the
Fight-Reinforcements Arriving

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ATIlVluEs
LAVA BEDS May l, 1873
No further action has been taken against
the Modocs, and the lessons received by our
troops on the 26th ult are fresh in the meme
done for the present, while awaiting the
arrival of the Fourth infantry. now on their
way from Little Rock. They will probably
arrive at the lava beds about the 18th of this
month, and the additional 500 men will en-
able General Gillsm to surround the enemy
and starve them out.
DISCRETION IN FACE OF THE ENEMY
From additional particulars have gathered
relating to the fight of the Goth ult, the great
loss of life is mainly attributed to the deser-
ton of Company E, Twelfth infantry, and
some few of the artillery, who, when ordered
to fall back and hold q bluff in the rear of the
troops, to cover their retreat, started falling
back, and would probably be falling back
still if they had not struck our camp.
HOW TIE FIGHT WAS LOST.
It appears the command had just reached .
little sandhill and were grouped together
talking about their trip, when q couple of
shots were fred, afterwards followed by four
or five more. Captain Thomas and Captain
Wright displayed great GOODNESS, the former
ordering Captain Wright to move his
men and to hold q position in the
rear, while he sent the artillery to the right
to take possession of breastwork. If these
orders had been executed there would have
been comparatively slight loss. But the men
went straight to camp, and when the officers
and non-commissioned officers fell back to
these points, expecting to be covered. they
were
MET BIZ MURDERoUs FIRE
from the Modocs, who had crept round and
taken possession of the very position that they
expected was held by the towards then ON
their way to camp. The gallant little band
we're then entirely surrounded and left
AT THE MERCY OF THE sAvAaEs,
who poured in an incessant fire. The Warm
Spring Indians, who came up LATER were
unable to be of much assistance, as they hadte
keep back to avoid the fire of our own troops
The reinforcement arrived at dark, and, not
knowing the country, Lay in the rocks until
daylight on Sunday, when they proceeded to
the relief of the wounded.
BRAVERY OF THE SURGEONS.
Acting Assistant Surgeon Semig behaved
very CALAMITY, and was wounded while dress
ing the wounds Of soldier. Assistant Surgeon
McEldery came out with the reinforcements
and remained all Sunday and Sunday night
with the wounded, alternating their suAerings
as much as possible.
THE BODY OF LIEUTENANT CRANsToN
has not yet been found, but there are no hopes
of his having escaped Donald Mckay denies
that there were four Indians killed, saying
there were two scalped and he saw two carried
back badly wounded. However, there were
only twenty-three Indians engaged in the
fight
REINFoRcEMENTs ARRIVING.
General Davis and staff are expected here
tomorrow evening. Captains A. Mendenhall
and Hasbrouck, with 113 men of the Fourth
artillery, arrived yesterday The wounded
are Doing well, and receiving the most de-
voted attention at the hands of Assistant
Surgeon Dewitt
No Further Movement OF Troops-Arrival
Of General Davis.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 1878.
There has been no further movement OF troops
in the lava beds.
General Davis arrived at General Gnem's head