Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-05-03
THE LAVA BEDS.



Disastrous Batslc--Trrr,bie Less Of Life.
..... ,..i LAVA BED, April 70.
Mckay has discovered that the In
tlians were in their last retreat. He
crnwled up on them and discovered 40,
including the woman, but did not deem
it prudent to attack. Expect to hear
them attacked tonight. The proba-
bility is that the Modocs are badly de-
noralized and large number of their
tiyhtin. warriors slain. A squaw Says,
that Sconchin and six warriors were
slain in the first days battle. Hooka
Jim was shot through the side and Bo-
gus Charley through the calf of the leg.
Mencham crossed the lake yesterday
for Peters ranch, where Mrs. Meacham
is awuiting him. cot .. nH". q
1t is now believed that the Mcdocs,
have fled TO n new place as none ap-
peared to-day to get water 1t is con-
jectured they may be in ambush in
their caves, If so we will know to night.
LAVA BED, April 20. No Indians
having been seen during the past two
days, Gen, Gillem sent out a reconnoi-
tering party on the 10Th, consisting of
company +, Twelfth Infantry, under
comm and of Colonel Wright; batteries
X and A, Fourth Artillery under Lieu
tenants. Howe, Harris and Cranston,
the whole party under command Of Ma
ior Thomas. = About IL A. Mr. they
reached Gravel Mound, about three
miles south of the stronghold, where
they received q yolley from lodge of
rocks. The fire was returned by the
men, and they retreated and rallied by
the troops. The Indians ran around tho
bluff and came in front and opened
fire upon A and K batteries, 4th Artil-
leries. The infantry, company. was then
ordered to fali back and. take. position
behind ledge of-rocks. They fell
hack but failed to halt, and left the
position demoralized. The company
commander and his non-cominissioped
staff, kept their position, but the men
kept up a retreat. After the troops
fell back, the Modoes.came and took up
the position that was to have beenh held
by our troops, thus surrounding those
left. At this time the Warm Springs
Indians, ten in number, came up in the
rear of the Modocs,, and held them
down to the rocks for awhile, until
they shifted about and gained position
that made the small cover Of Major
Thomas and others worthless sand here
they did the fatal work Of the day
From this point they succeeded in kill
ing Major Thomasy~ Lieutenant Howe,
Sergeant Rover, and two pritates, and
wounding Acknowledgment SEEMING.
During this time Colonel Wright and
the men who stayed with him we're
slaughtered as fast as they showed their
heads above the rocks. Wright was
shot in the right breast; five of his men
shot dead, and two wounded. Troops
in camp were under arms by this time,
and orders were given to the Warm
Springs Indians to move Immediately
to. the scene of action. Colonel Mason
ordered all his troops that could leave,
to start Immediately. Troops K. h.
and F had already started. From
this side the ground is SO rough that
the troops did not reach Il the battle
grounds till night, and they could 90
nothing but lay upon their arms. About
midnight three wounded men came IN,
reporting all clear in front, and oil the
killed and wounded except three Or