The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-04-21
THE MODOC WAR.

According to the latest accounts, the
conduct Of "tbe Modoc War" has not,
as vet, reflected very great lustre upon
the United States troops engaged, nor
upon the sagscity Of those in COM
msnd. For several days after the bru.
tai and trescherous murder OF General
CANDY and Doctor THOMAS, the only
dispatches received from the region OF
the lava beds 10 lower Oregon indicated
that troops were being rapidly concen-
trsted, that the Modocs were being sur
rounded in their stronghold, and that,
when everything was in readiness, the
whole band would be exterminated
without delay.
At length, on last Tuesday, the battle
opened, the troops gaining a position
within two hundred and fifty yards OF
CAPTAIN JACKS cave. As the result OF
this dave fighting, one officer Lieute-
nant EGAN,) and three enlisted men
were killed and nine were wounded. 1t
il not known what loss. il any. was SUIT
tered by the Indians During the night
the Modoc camp was vigorously BON
bsrded and on Wednesday the fight
was continued, the troops succeeding IN
getting q position between the lava
beds and the lake, thus cutting off the
supply OF water 10 the savages. Sever
a. attempts seem to have been made by
The Modocs to break through the lines
that were hemming them in. but with
out success. Daring this DAYS fighting
tonr men were killed aud ninete en-
wounded. Four OF the Modocs
were killed. During "Wednesday
night the Indians made their es-
cape en- masse, apparently without the
knowledge OF the troops, who thought
they had them securely surrounded,
and the only indication they had OF the
direction the savages had taken was tie
appearance Of smoke on the road to
the hills, several miles away. The
soldiers entered the deserted stronghold
and found only one Modoc, SCAR
FACED CHARLEY" who had been too
severely wounded for fl ght, and him
they put to death.
This is all that had occurred up to
the date of last Fridays dispatches. 1t
was reported that the cavalry was about
to start in pursuit of the foe, but there
seems to have been serious laundering
somewhere, and lack of necessary
readiness and precaulion. 1t Is now
feared that the escape Of the ModOcs may
have the effect OF bringing on general
Irdian war in that region. The tribes
in northern California and southern Ar
iona are dissffected, and may perhaps
be induced by the success OF the Modocs
to become their allies. The country
abou DDS IN Businesses known to the In
dams. from which it will be as difficult
TO dislodge them as from the lava beds
which have just been deserted. A large
force of troops and an immense outlay
OF money will be required, and It IS by
no means improbable that serious loss
OF life will yet occur before the murder
OF General CANDY is avenged. 1t is re-
ported this morning that General ScHo-
FIELD is 10 take command in person
and that all the available troops on toe
Pacific coast are to be at once sent &c
"tue 'front.'" The escape OF the savage'
from the tolls that it was reported were
being 30 securely drawn around them
has at once invested the struggle viii
much more importance than was al frs
attached 70 it, and it must he confesseC
that, thus far, Captain JACKS outlaw
have both out-tought and out-witted th
United States army.