New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-19
THE MODOC WAR.
A VIGOROUS ASSAULT ON GEN CANBYs
MIJRDERERS.


" MURDERERS.
THE MARCH AGAINST THE sAvAGEs-A M0DOC PRIs-
oNER EscAPEs-THE INDIANS HEAMED IN
SMELLING OUT THE "RED FIENDs."
CAMP SOUTH TULE LAKE, April IL.
The day opened warm and STILL but was ushered
in by the roar of musketry and occasional booming
of howitzers from Col Mason's camp at Hospital
Rock on the north side of Capt Jacks position, aud
directly under that famous stronghold. Gen. Gillem
who had been waiting for the arrival of his stores
and the Warm Spring Indians issued orders yester
day. for tents to be struck and drawn in o
compact form to place near Hospital Rock for the
troops to be supplied with three days rations and
100 rounds of ammunition; for the cavalry to be
ready TO move at a. m to-day, and for Col. Mason,
on the opposite side of the Lava Bed, TO move at
the same hour on the enemy. Col. Perry aud Lieut.
Cresan, with the cavalry, were to move to n point
beyond the main cave and conceal themselves until
Joined in the morning by infantry and artillery. Ii
was hoped that when the latter companies left
camp the Modocs would observe them, and in an
attempt to cut them off fall into the hands of the
cavalry
These movements faithfully executed, proba-
bly, hurried little on our side by the escape of Long
jim, O Modoc, who was under guard as prisoner of
war. At midnight he leaped past the guard and es-
daylight we heard an irregular fusilade the oppO
site side of the Lava Bed and knew Col Mason's
force OF his skirmishers were engaged At 9 o'clock
we heard the boom of the howitzers and saw shells
bursting over Capt. Jacks camp. At this time the
rocks were swarming with Indians, and the firing
was rapid. The plan of battle was as follows:
From the north side Col. Mason was to advance
his command on the right, the Warm Spring Indians
his left crcing up along the ledge TO unite with
the right Of the troops from this side leaving only
the lake for the Modocs to escape by Lieut. Greery
was in camp, in charge of the arms and ammunition.
Capt, Trimble of the LIST Artillery, with 20 men,
were left in charge Of the camp on this side Col
Green, at o'clock a. IN. united with Col. PerTy's
command in about an hour aud half after leaving
camp, and the ball opened. Capt. Miller of
Company re, 10Th Infantry, commanding a bat
talon, his company being commanded by Lieut.
Leary, had the extreme right Next TO him were
Can't. Throckmorton's Battery NJ 4th Artillery and
Lieut. Harris's Battery X, 4th Artillery. Capt
Egan's Company G, and Capt. Wrghts Company
f, both of the 18th Infantry, formed the center
The cavalry were on the extreme left.
While marching along the lake shore, just at the
head Of Long Cave, about mile and a half from
Jacks camp the troops encountered the first opposi
ton struggling shots from the bluff at long range
The men were depluyed in open skirmsh order, and
advanced slowly under such cover as the rocks
afforded. Our right opened gorge in the bluff, from
the right bank of which struggling shots,
while few fell around from the left bank. Our
skirushers crept up supported by the reserves nm
til we arrived at short range when severe vOlley
was fired from the bluff there evidently being %
30 Indians posted there. After standing about Is
minutes the order to charge given, and the men
sprang forward amid deafening yells from the No
docs. Such was the rapidity of the onslaught, and
so unexpected that the troops were on them before
they knew it, and in a few minutes were masters of
the situation and behind the rocks, resting at their
leisure. Gen Gllem had sent an order TO Col Mason
to stir the Indians up" his side and he attacked
them with vigor, distracting their attention, and
materially assisting troops.
Capt. Egan and his men fought CALAMITY; so did
all engaged. Capt. Egan wac wounded in the arm,
but would not leave the field. L. OConnor, private
of Battery NJ, 4th Artillery, was shot in the eg-a
flesh wound; private J. Danley Of Battery X, 4th
Artillery was shot in the forearm: Corporal f.
Kellisk, Battery X 4th Artillery, received a scalp
wound; private McManus, Company f, 18th In
fantry had his thigh crushed p McManus, Of the
firm of Mcconnell d McManus, merchants at Yreka,
Ventured between the advance line held by Capt
Mlers men and the reserve line, and was shot from
the high bluff and left on the ground. The lines
uncovered When the mOrtars arrive the bluff viii
be shelled and recovered. 1t is supposed that Me
Manus was shot through the heel by the way bis
mule was found TO be wounded
At p. IN. the order given to advance the
mortars, Major Thomas in command Lieut. Grams
ton Howe Of the 4th Artillery and sergIRamer with
10 men compose the party. At 4:3O the line was de-
ployed down the lake, opposite Jacks camp, and
crossed the intervening open space at double quick
without receiving a shot. They are now in readi-
ness to charge the bluffs when the mortars have
done their work. The mortars have arrived ON the
ground and taken position. All quiet until $50,
when a sudden aud heavy yolley ratified along Col.
Masons line and continued several minutes. Just
previous TO this it sgnaled that one had been
killed or wounded. The pack train of the Warm
Spring Indians has just arrived, composedof l7mules
and $50 horses.
AT $40 p m. the first shot was fired from The NOR
tars. planting shell fair in the bluffs few shells
were thrown, going well into part of the lava beds,
apparently 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 by Capt. Miller ARE now held. Two lodges
intervene between the men and the main plateau.
Now, at 9 p. m. the mortars are being moved for
ward as our men are ready to scale the nights Col
Mason's line has not been broken. BY tomorrow
we shall be with the Warm Spring Indians and
have the red fends encircled, with only the lake
left them to escape by. From appearances it seems
that the lower lake shore and the bluffs have been
cleared of the Indians by Col. Mason, as our men
are steadily advancing without receiving any shots.
The troops will probably hold the low rocks for
cover until morning
THE MODOCS SURROUNDED.
ACCOUNT OF TIE FIGHT OK wEDNEsDAY-GREAT