The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-04-29

well in part of the lava he'd, and appa-
fently doing good work. Our line now
|extends from under the bluffs where
Jacks cave is. up the ledge to the south
for nearly mile. The bluffs carried bv
Miller, who held two lodges, intervene
between the men and the main plateau.
1t Is now 6 P NJ, and the mortars are
Iheiug moved forward, as our men are
Iready to scale the heights. Col. Ma
som line has not been broken. Hy to-
E7h0ffsSn wc shall pc with shs safe<s4
Spring Indians, and have the red fiends
encircled, with hut the lake left them for
escape. Reports Of dead and wounded
will not arrive to day. From appearan-
ces it would seem that the lower lake
shore and the bluffs have been cleared of
Indians by Col Mason, as our men are
steadily advancing without receiving
shots They will probably hold the low
rocks for cover until morning.
HEADQUARTERS MoDoc EXPEDITION, !
LAVA BEDS. April l6, 1881
Major.G General Schoield, San Francisco:
Have fought the Indians all day, and
driven them to the immediate vicinity
of their stronghold Our loss is one
officer, Lieutenant Egan, wounded. not
seriously; three enlisted men killed and
nine wounded. We hope to surround
them to morrow.
A. C. GILLEM, Col. Com.
We expect further news by courier
to-day. The remains of General Candy
arrived at Portland to-day. The funer-
al will be private-no military display.
Tomorrow the body will lie in state at
head quarters, and at P. NJ. be placed
in the vault for further disposition.
LAVA BED, April l6-During the
night the Modocs' position was the
same they occupied at sunset yesterday
evening A hot contested fight took
place with Colonel Green's left this
morning The Indians endeavored to
reach the lake for water, but our troops
succeeded in keeping them away. A
dispatch was received from Mason's
camp at o'clock this morning, saying
some Modocs had passed out on the
left, near his flank and rear. During
night the mortars under command of
Major Thomas kept up fire on the
Modoc camp, which very much worried
the Indians. They could be heard yell
! ing and shouting at an awful rate.
At two o'clock this morning the
| troops under Colonel Greene were or.
dered to move forward from the posi-
tion they held during the night. The
whole line started with cheer, and be-
fore ten this morning had reached the
/ top of the ridge next to Captain Jacks
camp, which was so hotly contested yes
terday, and which has been nearly de-
stroyed to day. When our men gained
this position others could be beard
along the whole line Orders we're then
given to sweep the lava bed A dis
patch was sent by signal to Captain
Bernard, ordering him in case the Mo.
docs had got out on Colonel Mason's
/ left to pursue them Immediately with
the cavalry and give them no rest.
Ten 0 cLocK-Our troops have gain.
ed considerable ground, and firing is
becoming more frequent. The general
impression is that the lava beds are
ours. Orders have been given for Col.
onel Mason to move his right forward
rapidly, and if possible, join Colonel
Greene's left This will cut the Modocs
off. From ten to twelve o'clock there
! was considerable firing from the south
of the lake. Only part Of the Modocs
could have got out on Mason's left, as
Indians can be heard in the vicinity OF
Jacks cave. The mortars, which have
ceased since daylight, have been order.
ed to new position within eight hun
dred yards of the cave, and near the
water Of the lake
About twelve o'clock Colonel Greene
and Mason's command effected a juno
ton, which entirely cut the Modocs of
from water. After this movement was
effected, occasional firing was heard al
different parts of the line. 1t was de-
cided not to push our men on the In
dians' stronghold, as we might lose
many without killing an Indian. If we
could keep them from water they would
have to leave their position. We could
not find them in stronger one.
Our losses in the two days fight have
been five killed and ten wounded. The
only officer yet wounded is Lieutenant
Egan, flesh wound in the left leg. HI
is doing we'll
The junction has been formed be-
tween Greene's and Mason's left Five
Indians are reported killed. Of these
we have some scalps. None of oul
killed or wounded have yet fallen into
the Indians hands.
| 1t is evident if our men can hold thei
position on the lake shore the Modocs
will have to leave or surrender. A
heavy fire of musketry is now heart
near the lake shore The Modocs ar,
evidently fighting for water. Every
one who has seen our troops in actor
speak of them in the highest terms.
| YREKA, April l7-Castello, a specia
courier, arrived at noon, having left thu
head quarters at the lava bed at min,
last night. with news Of yesterday.
work The Modocs had big fire il
camp. Major Thomas dropped shel
directly into it, producing a frantic wal
whoop and 'he sudden extinguishing o
the fire. Another shell was dropped il
the same locality, followed by yells o
pain and dsmay. The Modocs ,ther
appeared and challenged the soldiers to
come out and fight. Another shell was
the answer and they we're driven back
1t is believed the Modocs made &
strong effort to escape by the lake or tc
get water, and were completely routed
From appearance the Indians are Ger.
tainly dispersed He watched them
with glass at long range At differ
ent times during the days fight they
were running from one point to another
with no apparent strategic move, seem
ingly bewildered by the advance of oul
forces.
1t is understood there were FIVE killed
and nineteen wounded, some slightly
William Smith, buglcr of Battery NJ
Fourth Artillery, was killed, and pri'
vate Harmon, Of Battery E. severely
wounded. The Warm Spring Indians
Tough. like heroes, stalking upon the