The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-23
A. "REMINISCENCES OF THE MODOCs.

Fighting ON the klamath River Nine-
teen Years AGo-Expcricnce of an ex-
Officer OF the Army.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Seeing, from the columns OF your daily paper,
how much exercised is the public mind on the sub
ject OF the Modoc war, and to what painful tragedy
the peace policy OF the Methodist and Quaker ad-
visers Of the President has brought us, deem it
not undressing to lay before your readers an
early incident in the history OF this tribe not before
mentioned IN any Of the numerous sketches that
have seen, and which presents them in light
ierociousy brave and treacherous.
In the month Of February, 1854. intelligence
reached the commander OF the garrison at Fort
Jones, Scott's Valley CAL, that number OF the
citizens residing In little hamlet called Cotton.
wood, Just at the crossing OF the Klamath River,
had been slain by party OF these Indians, then
making their winter quarters at cave some six
teen miles above the ferry. The command, con-
sistng Of some thirty rank and file OF the Fourth
United States infantry, was Immediately put in
motion. The ground was covered to the extent OF
foot or eighteen inches deep with snow and the
weather was intensely cold the mercury marking as
low down as 10 degrees above zero. Bivouacking
near Yreka the first night, the second the Klamath
ferry was made, and here, joined by some thirty
volunteers from Cottonwood, under the command
OF Mr.. Geiger, the whole force proceeded the
next day, by rough and snow covered trail, in
the direction OF the cave. Along this road the
melancholy spectacle was witnessed of gathering
the remains OF the seven recently slaughtered.
Their scalps were TAKEN their tongues cut or and
transfxed to their skulls with arrows and they
were subjected to other mutations too horrible
TO mention On reaching the cave, which was
found to be in q high cliff overlooking the river,
the volunteers were sent to take position on
the tableland just above, with orders to
permit no egress thereirom. The regulars
cautiously passed to the front between the base OF
the clin ana the river and, protected by ridge OF
OF firing now took place without effect, the dis
lance in an ar line being about two hundred
yards. The Indians kept up great noise and
shouting, amid which an occasional derisive
epithet in English could be recognized. Mean
peerng over the LEDGE was instantly killed by a
bullet from the cave, which passed through his
head. Finding it was hopeless TO accomplish any
which the writer, by request, was one
were despatched to Fort Lane, with instructions to
seek assistance from Its commander. Captain A.
]. Smith, First dragons, IN reinlorcements and
mountain hOwitzer. After bitter ride OF thirty
five miles, crossing Sskiyou Mountain into Oregon,
the fort was reached the same day at ten p. NJ,
and the next morning Captain Smith, with Lieu
tenant Oge, ten men and the gun, accompanied US
position and the Smelling began, but with no other
effect than to evoke jeers and shouts OF derision.
decisive result, the expedition was abandoned and
the troops returned to their quarters
subsequently the commanding officer Of Fort
Jones, through friendly Indians, had prevailed on
this band to come in to the reservation, and in
pursuance OF this agreement the command were
TO be on certain day in June OF that year near
the Klamath ferry to receive them. The day came
and the command had but just reached the spot
agreed upon, when rumors came OF q pack train
having been attacked on the top OF SiskIyou Noun.
TAIN the packers killed and the mules, with their
burdens run OF. We moved at once in that drec-
ton. and, on reaching the mountain,
found that the rumor was but too true.
Taking the trail 1t led US along the
ridge for some distance and then bore of in the
direction OF the cave, and upon the plateau just
above we came upon them, and after q sharp con-
iict, In which two or three Indians were killed, re-
captured the stolen plumber. IL will be seen from
even these facts how utterly useless IL Is for the
government to deal generously or kindly with such
people, and it should be the wish OF every white
man in the country that they may meet with the
most fearful retribution for their recent dastardy
conduct In cutting short SO valuable life as that
OF the late General Candy.
AN EX-OFFTCER OF THE ARMY.