The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-24
toms company was deployed as skirmishers. and
Orfered to forward until hiQ Left Chad the


ordered to move forward until his lett reached the
lake, when the line was halted until all got water
night. When the advance was again ordered the
sklrmshers' line extended as fOllOws:-The half of
Second Lieutenant H. d. W. MooTe, formed on the
right OF Captain Burtons company; the other half,
under First Lieutenant J. NJ Ross being kept in
reserve, and afterwards used as q support to the
howltzer section; the Oregon volunteers were
formed on the right Of the infantry, and the line
was moved forward about mile and hall. when
found it necessary to change its direction nearly
to the left to reach Captain Jacks camp.
troop to 9eniov on the riet of the yo1nteers He
had not moved far in the new direction when the
Indians opened fire, but the line moved steadily
forward and We drove them from point to point
over the most difficult country any troops ever
operated in and at disadvantage on account OF
point was reached presenting very deep chasm,
beyond which no advance could be made without.
geat at cru Of s and II was then doubted
After consulting with the District Commander
concluded to make flank movement to the LETT
and along the shore Of the lake with the hope that
l could dis,odge the Indians from that side-a
movement exceedingly difficult to make, owing to
the nature Of the country; and after successfully
anything. IN stronger position than before. AT
this time, Captain Bernard hearing our firing, but
unable to see us on account OF the dense fog shouted
within tour or five hundred yards OF the Indians
troops with his and If possible make charge and
take their position that evening. This was q still
overhung by rocks, occupied by the Indians, who
had to be driven OH in order to continue the
advance, and at considerable loss OF killed and
wounded to ourselves, and on arriving at a certain
ravine the enemy's fire was deadly, number
being killed and wounded, among the latter, Cap
tam Perry, First cavalry, and four men OF Captain
Fairchild's volunteers, which will give some idea
OF our severe struggle. Captain Benton, with a
portion OF his company, and Captain Fairchd,
with the California volunteers, got in SUCH posi-.
ton that they could not be extrcated and were
finally ordered to remain under cover until after
nrnn
charge, the nature OF the rocky ground preventing
men moving faster than at the slowest pace and
sometimes forcing them to crawl on their hands
and feet,
1t is utterly impossible to give a description OF
the place occupied by the enemy as their strong
hold. Everything was done by officers and men
that could be done; troops never behaved better;
they commended CALAMITY with an enemy hidden by
rocks, deep gorges and enyeloped In dense fog.
suit.
On reaching Captain Bernard 1t was found he
too, had deep cnasm in front OF him 80 thoroughly
commanded by Indians he could scarcely move
without the loss Of large number OF men. At this
time quite number Of Indians were moving down
our left flank. sent Captain Bernard with his troop
to drive them back, which he did successfully Just
ceved from the District Commander Who was Ws' still
on the west side with the Oregon volunteers
portion OF Captain Perry's troop, and the infantry
us by the log, while making the flank movement,
ordering us TO retire to our camp Of the previous
him, stating that If could not accomplish nv
intention. TO retire; but found could not return
to the command left behind without another great
sacrifice OF life and concluded to iall back Lands
ranch or Captain Bernards camp, about fourteen
miles In the rear. This began to do at hafpast
ten p. NJ, but, as several OF the wounded had to be
carried In blankets, 1t was one L. NJ the following
day before the last oil the column reached there.
was pere a. sa eysn a c@pan , merry position
right to the right OF the infantry battalion leaving
the oregon volunteers on the right. Imust speak
their gallant and courageous conduct under the
most trying circumstances, having to move
natural POSITION WSieh can 'I be s masSsS
and which Is beyond all description.
Their comrades were shot down right and LETT by an
nifty OF return. or the Oregon volunteers under
General Ross must also speak in the highest terms
with his twentyfour California volunteers, also did
most excellent service on lett and had Leuten.
ant Robert and three men wounded. These were
excellent marksmen, but could not prevail under
the conditions have mentioned.
The following is list OF the officers engaged, and
twenty .irst iniaStry~Major H. Z. Mason, com.
handing battalion; Captain g. II. Burton, COM
handing psa.in Company q second Lieutenant Z. B.
commanding Company u; Second Lieutenant H.
D. w. Moore Company b. First cavalry-Captain
the afternoon; Second Lieutenant E. H. MiIic m
commanding howitzer section, and alter CaDtajn |
Perry was wounded. Troop +. Il would here state
ana the fog the hewltzer section was Of |
very little use.) Captain i. +. Bernard
commanding squadron, consisting of his own
Troop q and Troop b; Second Lieutenant j. q.
Kyle, Troop @. This oflcer was wounded in the
arm on the morning OF the 18th. Captain James
Jackson, commanding Troop u; Second Lieutenant
+. A. Boutclle, Troop b. ihis officer commanded
Troop after Lieutenant Kyle was wounded. Fjr.t
Lieutenant J. g. Adams Acting Assistant Adutant
General TO the district commander, did excellent
service during the day. and more especially during
the evening, as signal 0illcer, the only means OF
communication between the district commander
and myself being by signal.
Assistant Surgeon henry McEldery, chief medl-
Cal onlcer OF the command, III entitled to every
credit, not only for his care OF the wounded but
lor going IN person to their assistance under the
enemys IRE. In regard to the other medical OIL
GERS, refer the district commander to Assistant
surgeon McEdery's report, herewith enclosed.
also enc'esc list OF killed and wounded, and MAJOR
Masons report. In addition to surgeon NOEL
derys list OF killed and wounded Iwould state that
there were two men killed OF the Oregon volun-
teers; also one olicer, Lieutenant Rheem, slightly
The wounded OF Captain Fairchds detachment |
OF California volunteers are In hospital at Fort |
Klamath and receive the same attention as the |
regular troops.
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