, 1873-04-24

mentS were fully executed, probably
hurried q little on account of the es-
cape from the guard-house of Modoc
prisoner Of war.
~Jnst at daylight we heard an irregular
f1siiade on the oprt site side of the lava
bed and knew Col Mason's shirmishers
were engaged. At six O'Clock we heard
| the booming OF howitzers and saw shells
Bursting over Capt. jacks camp-at
this time the rocks were swarmirg with
-Indians-the firing was rapid and the
battle was from the east side of Col.
Mason, who was to advance his COM
mand on the right, the Warm Spring
Indians on bis left curling up along the
ledge to unite with the right of the
troops from this side, leaving only the
lake open for the Modocs to occupy.
Lieut.. Green was in charge of the arms
and ammunition, aud Capt Trimble, cf
the 1st Artillery, with 90 men was left
in charge Of the camp on this side, ] at
tached myself to Col. Green's field Off
GERS, and with him, the infantry and ar
tiliery we left camp at 7 A. IL, for the
field. We united with Col Perry COM
mand and soon the ball opened
Capt. Miller's company. E. 21st In
fantry. commanded the battalion, his
company being commanded by Lient.
Leary: Miller had the extreme right
next Capt. Throckmorton's battery NJ.
4th Artillery; Lieut. Harris battery, Co.
X. 4th artillery, and Capt. Eean's Co.
G. Capt Wright's Co., E, both of the
18th Infantry along the lax eshore.
Just at the head of the long cave and
one and half miles from Jacks camp
we encountered the first opposition,
Struggling shois at long range. when the
men deployed i'll open skirmish order,
and advanced slowly under such cover
as the rocks afforded. To our right a
gorge opened in the Bluff. from the
right bank of which came struggling
shots while few fell around us from
the left point Our skirmishers ciept
up on them, supported by the reserve,
| until we arrived within short-range,
when a severe volley was fired from the
bluffs, evidently there being 25 or 80
Indians posted there. The fire was
heavy and CALLING and after standing it
for Is minutes, order to charge was
given, and the men sprang forward
amid most deafning yells from Modocs.
Such was the rapidity of the onslaught
aad so unexpected that the troops were
on them before they knew it. and in
few minutes were masters of the situa-
tion. and the men took position behind
the rocks and rested 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 a vengeance. dis
tracting their attention and materially
assisting our troops. The charge was
gallant one and the troops deserve great
credit for the way. they cleared the rocks
of Nc docs. Meanwhile, we extricated
our wounded, four in number; none
killed. Capt. Eagan and Lis men fought
! CALAMITY. So did all engaged. Capt.
Eagan was wounded in the arm but
wonld not leave the field. Private E.
Connor, battery NJ, 4th artillery. shot in
the leg. flesh wound; private A. Dooley.
battery K, 4th artillery, shot in the fore
arm: corporal E. Killock, battery X. 4th
artillery. scalp-wound; private McMan-
us, company Z, 18th infantry, thigh
crushed.
Pat McManus of the firm of McMan
us & Mcconnell. merchants of Ireka.
was within the advance line held by
Capt. Miller's men, who CALAMITY car
red the bluff under orders, in such gal
liant style, was shot from the high bluffs
and left on the ground.
The lines are 500 yards apart and the
ground uncovered. When the nortars
arrive the bluffs will be shelled and re-
covered.
At 2 P NJ, orders were given to ad
vance tue mortars. Major Ellis i'll COM
mand, Lieuts. Cranston and Howe, OF
the 4th artillery. Serg't Ro ner and 19
men compose the party of as gallant
set of mer as ever handled gun.
At $50 P NJ the line doubled the lake
opposite Jacks camp and crossed the
intervening space on the double-quic,l.
without receiving a shot. So they are
now in readiness for charge on the
bluffs when the mortars have done their
work. The mortars have arrived on the
ground and taken their position.
All quiet until 5 80 P. NJ, when a sud-
den and heavy volley ratified along Ma
sons line and continued several min
utes. just previous he siSnalled: ''no
one killed or wounded here yet.
The pack train of the Warm Spring
Indians has inst arrived. 1t contains II
mules and $50 head Of horses.
At $40 the FIRST shot was fired from
the mortars planting the shells fair on
the blrffs. A few shells were thrown
going well into the heart of the lava bed
and apparently doing good work.
| Our line now extends from the bluff
where Jacks cave is. up the ledge to
the south nearly mile. The bluffs car
ried by Miller's men are now held and
but two ledges intervene between bis
men and the main plateau.
1t is how COOP. NJ, and the mortars
are being moved forward, as our men
| are ready to scale the heights.