Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-05-01
HUNTING MODOCS.
GoDRsD SPECTACLE In
IVA BED.
chief SCEtCHcEsin'S E}eEstk
CONFIRMED.
SAN FRANCISCO, April q.

4 courier arrived at Yreka tonight
with news from the front to April Is.
The Indian 5cc;l to be in close proX-
unity to the camp tU-lay, and came to
the lake for water. Three shots were
heard to the southeast, evidently from
Indians killing cattle. This afternoon
the Indians were seen out with a herd
CT their horses.
At Fort Sand Butte, four miles south
east of here, and an equal distance
south of their former position, it is said
there are large caves and strong posi-
ton, and that they will make "a stand
at that point. The women and child
ren are there, having been removed
before the massacre; also quantity OF
ammunition and water, though the
last is doubted. FOrtifcations viii be
thrown up at points commanding the
lake shore, to guard the water line.
Eleven bodies and one live Modoc
were found in a cave in the Lava Bed
to-day. This makes sixteen warriors
slain.
They burnt the bodies, and the
wounded are unknown. Some OF the
bodies were horribly mansled by shells.
Six soldiers and one civilian were
slain. and eleven wounded, two serious
Iy. Four are wounded by sprained
ankles. 1t is reported tonight that
two more of the wounded at the Lava
Beds are to arrive.
Captain Egan is recovering rapidly.
Young Hovey, of Yreka; was buried
this evening. He was scalped and dis
emboweIed, and his head was mashed
fiat with a rock. Harmon, who fell
within the Indian line, was also scalped.
HEADQUARTERS LAVA BED, April %.
Nothing further has transpired. The
troops are awaiting the return of the
cavalry. The Warm Spring Indians
are securing the country east of the
battle-ground, and working towards the
craters, which end in high ledge,
with the Modoc stronghold to the
south. II the hIodOcs have fed to this,
they will strike their trail, and the
troops will follow as soon as notified.
The cavalry will return tonight, and
we shall then know whether they have
fed TO the south. The Warm Spring
Indians and our cavalry will probably
communicate with each other to-day.
Colonel Mason has moved his camp
into Captain Jacks lair.
The Lava Bed presents horrible
spectacle. Bodies are discovered in
crevicos and from under heaps Of rocks,
and there is s;ckening stencil filling
the air. There must have been many
killed and wounded that we know
nothing Of. We have evidence Of The
death of seventeen Modocs, and their
wounded must be at a greater rate
than OUTS. The ground is literally
covered with fragments OF broken
shells all over the place. Three shell.
fell in the main ravine, in the centre Of
their camps, scattering them.
The rnOst OF their women and
children were removed before the mas
sacre of the Peace Commissioners, anC
therefore large portion Of them still
live. There we're about two hundred
and twenty men, women, and children
sixty of whom could fight. Probably
fifteen warriors were slain III the three
days fight.
Yesterday the boys captured an Ole
squaw who was unable to escape. Sht
confirms the death of Schonchin, ths
second Chief, shot by Meacham.
If the Indians make a stand thi
country will be in a horrid state thi
summer. The ranchers, with all thei
cattle, will be compelled to abandon
the ranches. Fifty desperate savage;
; roaming these rocky fastnesses vii
work incalculable destruction Of prop
Z erty and cause fearful loss of life. Thi
t will lay waste the country, in which
i the soldiers viii be comparatively pow
I erless because they cannot hunt them
ard when they find them out canno
venture out, as they know not wha
bunch or sage bush conceals a foe. TIL
troops willnot, however, be idle, ant
= the MCdocs will have no chance to re
cruit their shattered forces. Extermi
nation is the word.