Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-30
THE MODOC WAR.
ANO THEIR BATTLE.
D. ATH OF CAPT. THO A s.

San Francisco, 90. A courier has Just ar
rived and reported that another battle has
been fought with the Nodes in which 10 of
our men were killed, including Capt. Thorn
as, Lieut.. Howe of the 4th artillery, and
Lieut.. Wright of the 18th infantry. Twenty
three are wounded including Lieut.. Harris of
the 4th artillery, and others are missing.
LATER.
Lava Beds, 29.-5, f. M. In second dis
pratch from the battle field sent by Col.
Green, it appears that there are now collect
ed and waiting conveyance to camp the bodies
of lG men killed, including Capt. Thomas,
Lieut.. Howe, Lieut.. Wright, and eight wound
ed, including Lieut.. Harris of the 4th artil-
lery. These added to the number of wound
ed men above cited, show large per centage
of casualties from the small number OF men
Sixty Modocs are armed with Spencer car
bines and breech loading muskets. In more
than one instance Modoc has been known to
have two or more Spencer rifles, enabling
him to keep up rapid fire from his natural
or artificial breastworks. The surface Of the
ground in many places is torn up by volcanic
action, which form crevices, and these are
adaptable to the purpose of either hiding or
for points of defence. In many instances the
soldies knowing nothing of the topography of
the ground, have come unawares on such
confronted by the wiley Indian with rifle lev
eled and finger on the trigger, and death, or at
least a dangerous wound is the result. Too
often the cowardly redskins escape by many
paths only known to themselves.
As an example Of their treachery and cum
ming may not be amis, | will state that por-
ton Of batteries A and X, 4th artillery, and
company +, 18th infantry, finding themselves
in danger of being outhanked took shelter in
hollow spot afiording a partial cover. No
sooner had they done SO than the Indians,
who knew and commanded every cgress from
the cavity at that point, numbering II war
riors, detached of their number on one side,
IA remaining on the other, and then opened a
cross fire on the poor fellows, who could not
show head or hand without certainly being
struck. Very few escaped injury, and the
rest were killed or wounded.
1t is impossible to ascertain the number of
Modocs killed and wounded Yesterday
Capt. Mckay reported that his Warm Spring
Indians had taken four scaps. This may be
the whole or it may be only portion OF the
killed. The Modocs are very careful to de-
stroy as far MS possible all traces Of their cas-
ualties, carrying their wounded into the caves
and burning the dead bodies
OF the men killed or wounded it is perhaps
sufficient to say that they sealed their bravery
" III tucit iiNSc, tIlS IhltSI luldA OI pdIlldi
disability.
Lava Beds, o7-S.3OP. NJ. The reinforce
ments sent out under Col. Green, together
with the killed and wounded, are expected
momentarily. heavy rain is now falling,
which is beneficial to the poor wounded men
in alleviating their sufferings and relieving
their feverish limbs limgs. Their arrival is
anxiously looked for by their more fortunate
comrades in camp. Every preparation is
made for their proper reception. When the
news of the massacre reached camp the sol
diers who had grown old and gray in the ser
vice wept like babies at the fate of their off
GERS and comrades.
April 2S-6 A. NJ. The troops with the
killed AVID wounded are returning. In addi-
ton to the deaths of the list last given are
the following. First sergeant Robt. S. Pow
er, battery Co. Al W. Boyle, + 18th infan-
try; Howard do. Newburg do, and James
Rose, battery X has since died. In many in
stances it would be difficult to recognize the
dead but for some article Of dress known to
have belonged to them, Indian barbarty hav
ing detaced the liniaments o. the killed.
The following is complete list of the
killed and wounded now in camp: Lieut..
Thomas, battery A 4th artillery, Lieut. Howe.
do, privates Robt S Romer, do, Parker, DO,
John Lynch, battery Il do, Jas Rose, do, j
W. Ward. do, Michael Wallace, do, Lieut..
Thomas Wright. Co. +, l2th infantry, Pri-
vate Greed, do, Citizen Lewis Weber of
Sskyon county. In addition 10 the forego-
ing, eight men were buried upon the field
whose names were not aseertained. Lieut..
Arthur Cranston with four men Of battery
are still missing.
Wounded. -Priyates Joseph Brodcrck, \
4th artillery, left thigh, Mathew Murphy.
Oth ;,y,p 1hH Il
hand, Jos T. Butler, do, both temples, Geo
Vanderwa;er, do, right hip. NJ. Brennan, do.
both arms fractured, first sergeant Clayton,
do, left leg, sergeant NJ. Kennedy, do, RICH,
elbow and breast, private Jas Mcmillan, Co
A, 4th artillery, palm of right hand, John 4.
Geflord, X do, back and thigh, corporal Jas
Noble, do. neck, privates John liiggings, DO
hand and shoulder, Schancks Rolla, DO, left
leg, VIM Mccoy, right bullock and hand,
j. b. McLauchin, both feet and right shout
der, sergeant A. Breck, do, right arm, lieut.
Harris, back, surgeon Semig, right ley.