The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-19
THE MODOC WAR.
Dispatch from Gen. Schoileld.

NAsulNUIUpI ApElI 40 @4C1s ASASA AAoA
has received the following dispatch from
Gen. Schofeld dated the 18th: No news
from Gen. Gillem since the 18th but
hope TO hear oil a decisive action this
evening. All available troops are ready
to move il the next report makes 1t neces
sarY and will go to the front II my pres
ence there seems desirable!
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The following
telegram was sent today:
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, |
WASHINGTON, April 1s. {
10 T. S. Dyer, q. S. Indian Agent. Camp
Lara BsdS, HedGQS, MOdoc CON-!
The Commission is discontinued by ad'
vice of Commissioners Meacham and Ro'
scarborough.
ISigncd EDWARD p. SMITH,
Commissioner.
SAN FRAcIsCo, April 10.
HSddQuGrtorS Modoc Expedition, Aprh 1G
Camp South IuIe Lake.
Tho day opened warm and still, hut
was usherGd in by u war Of musketry and
the occasional booming Of howitzers.
Col. Mason's camp is at Hospital Rock,
on tho north side OF Capt. Jacks position
and directly under that famous strong
hold. Gen. Gillem, who had been wait.
ing for the arrival Of his supplies and the
Warm Spring Indians, issued orders for
the tents 10 be struck, the troops TO be
supplied with three days rations and one
hundred roundsof ammunition; next, Tor
the cavalry to be ready to move at 2 p. n.
to-day, and for Col. Mason, on the oppo-
site side OF the Lava Beds, 10 move at
the same hour on the enemy. Col. Perry
and Lieut.. CreGsan with the cavalry were
TO move at point beyond, the main
cavalry TO conceal themselves until
Joined by the infantry and artillery. 1t
was hoped that when the latter
companies left the camp the Modocs
would observe it. and IN the
attempt to cut them of, fall into the
hands Of the cavalry. These movements
were faithfully executcd-probably hur-
ried little on our side by the escape OF
Long jim, who was uadcr guard US o
prisoner OF war. At midnight he leaped
past the guard and escaped, though many
shots were fired al him. At daylight We
heard an irregular iusilade on the Oppo-
site side OF the Lava Beds, and knew that
Col. MasOn's force OF his skirmiahers
were engaged. AT six o'clock we heard
the boom Of the hOwitzers and SAW shells
bursting over Capt. Jack camp. At this
time the rocks were swarming with In.
dians and the firing was rapid. The plan
of The battle was from the north side
Col. Mason was 10 advance his command
on the right, the Warm Spring Indians
on his LETT, circliug up along the ledge
and unite with heright Of the troops from
this side, leaving only the lake tor the
ModOcs TO escape by. Lieulcnant Leary
was in camp in charge OF the arms and
ammunition. Capt. Trimble, OF tho 1st
artillery, with twenty men, was left in
charge of the camp on this side. COL
Green ut Z A. N. united with Col. Perry
in about an hour and half after leaving
camp, and soon the ball opened, Captain
Miller, Of the 18th infantry commanding,
the battalion and his company Deing
commanded by Leary. Miller had enter
cd to the right, next Captain Trokmcrton,
battery NJ, 4th artillery; Lieutenant Har.
ris, battery L, ,4th artillery; Captain Egan,
company G, Captain Wright, company E,
bsttiIion 18th; infantry in the centre,
and the cavRlry on tho extreme left.
While marching along the lake shore
lust at the head Of q long cave, about l ]
miles from Jacks camp, they encounter.
ed tho first opposition, struggling shots
from the bluff sat long range. The men
dcployed in an open skirmtsh line and ad-
vanced slowly, under such cover as the
rocks afforded. Our right gorge opened
on the bluff, from tho right banks oI
which had como tho struggling shots
while few fell around us from the left
point. Our skirmIshers crept up sup
ported by reserves, until We arrived with.
In q short range, when severe Volley
was fired from the bluffs, evidently there
being about % or 30 Indians posted
there. The fire was heavy, and after stand
ing it Is minutes, the order to charge was
given and the men sprang forward amid
most dealening yells from tho Modocs. |
Such was the rapidity Of the onslaught
and so unexpected that the troops were |
on them before they knew 1t, and in few
minutes were masters Of thesituation and
our brave boys behind the rock resting at
their leisure. Gen. Gillem had sent an
order TO Col. Mason to stir them up on |
his side and he let into them with ven
geance distracting their attention mate.
rally assisting our troops. The charge |
was a gallant one. Meanwhile we eXtri.
Gated our wounded. None killed. Capt. |
Erop and his men fought gallantly, so
did all engaged. Capt. Egan was wound.
cd in the arm but eWould not leave the
field; E. o. Conner, private OF battery N,
an artillery, shot in the leg, flesh wound;
private ]. barley, battery K, 4th artillery,
shot in the arm; Corporal e. Kellisk, bat
tery X, 4th artillery, scalp wound; private
McMauus, Co., E, 18th infantry, thigh
crushed; P. McManus Of McConnells &
McSIanus, merchants Of Yrcks, ventured
within tho advance line held by Capt.
Mlller's men, who gallantly carried the
bluff under orders in such gallant style
and tho reserve line, was shot from the
high bluffs and left on the ground. The
lines are five hundred yards apart and tho
ground uncovered. When tho mortars
arrive the bluff will bO shGlled and he
covered. 1t Is supposed he is shot
through the heel, by tho way his mule
wounded, three shots were fired at
them. At2 p. NJ. an order was given to
advance the mortars. Major Thomas
COMMANDING, Lieutenant Crauston Howe,
4th artillery, Sergeant Romer land men
compose the party arc Gs gallant set
Ss ever handled guns. At half past Iour