The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-18
DESCRIPTION OF TIE LAVA BEDS.

The country along the line separating California
from Oregon, in which the lava beds are situated,
has been the theatre OF military operations against
the Indians at different times during the past
twenty years. 1t has been traversed by emigrants
who settled in the neighborhood, and 1t is well and
favorably known as q cattle range. With the ex-
ception Of the irregular volcanic region, south OF
the lakes the land has been surveyed and laid out
In sections. Still very little accurate information
can be had concerning the retreat where the
Modocs have continued to defy the power OF the
government. tits known, however, TO be cut up
with assures, yawning abysses, lakes, high noun
tains covered with snow and Astounding with caves.
The lava beds cover an area of 100 square miles.
They appear to have been brought into existence
by upheavals from below The roughness or the
upper surface remains, while all underneath Is
honey-combed by cracks ana crevices. The largest
cave Is known as ..~
BEN wRIGHT's CAVE
which Is said to contain fifteen acres OF
open space under ground in which
there is good spring and many OPEN
ings through which q man can crawl, the
main entrance being about the size of common
window. In this cave, 1t is understood, Jack and
his followers have fortified themselves The
gulches and crevlces range from q few feet to one
hundred feet In width, and many OF them are one
hundred feet deep. The Indians can travel through
all these lava beds by trails only known to them
selves, and stand on bluffs over persons fifty yards
beneath and where it would require along journey
to go to them. They can see men coming at dis
lance OF five miles without being visible them
selves. They also can permit their pursuers to
come within a few feet Of the blur and shoot down
and retire. if necessary to other similar bluffs II
pressed too closely the Indians drop into crew
ices entirely inaccessible to troops and follow
some subterranean passage with which they are
fully acquainted, and gain another ambush from
which 1t would cost ten lives to dislodge them. 1t
Is represented that the Modocs can shoot from the
tops or cliffs without exposing inch of their per-
soas. In the lava beds are number OF small
plots
ABuNDANTLY SUPPLIED wINH BUNCH GRASS,
which cattle find by long and circutous trails
The only thing the Mod0cs lack is ammunition.
Those who visited the military headquarters dur
ing the past few months were detected on several
occasions stealing cartridges, and even some OF
the women were caught In the act. The troops
are wen posted SO as to prevent the Indians escap-
ing Their only line OF retreat would seem to be
in southerly direction INTO the Pitt River Msull-
tains. The tribes In that quarter are OF warlike
character and have given the government consid-
cradle trouble In times past. In 1858 and 1859
their ambushes were SO effective and their manner
OF warfare so advantageous that at first very little
progress was made in reducing them to submis
sion. The Pitt River savages when pressed closely
would take to their canoes and paddle to the
islands in the lakes, where they could not be fol-
lowed. After much care and trouble several
boats were built and transferred across the lava
beds, and the Indians were cut OF frem these hid
ing places. One of the latest measures OF precau-
ton taken by General Candy was to place boats
ON Tue Lake.
CHANCES OF ESCAPE.
The troops, in pursuing the Modocs, have to
follow them on foot, and in passing through the
gulches and crevices must expect to lind the
enemy on the high bluffs above them at every
point, or making their way through concealed pas.
sages to secure retreat. The cannon and howitzers
command all approaches to and rom the cave.
Five hundred hand grenades arrived last week at
Van Brcmer's. and the supply OF shot and STEEL
Is ample for prolonged operations. There is no
Disgusting the serious difficulties that Colonel
Gllcm has to encounter. The Modocs know every
nook and corner in the lava beds, and win, OF
course, seek to fnd safety In flight. 1t would be
very unfortunate, indeed, II they succeeded in
effecting junction with the Pitt River Mountain
Indians.
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF THE LAVA BEDS.
The peculiar geological features OF the lake coun
try In California resemble the county Antrim, in
Ireland in which is located the celebrated Giants
Causeway. The scientific interest OF the latter is
enhanced by the beauty OF its terraced formations
and its great richness and variety OF colorlng.
Like the lava beds, the pasalt is from three hun
dred to five hundred feet In thickness, and, like
them, too, the pillars, caves, wells, &C., in the
Giants Causeway, appear to be the result OF some
great cenvulsion Of nature, an upheaval equal to
the effect OF the explosion OF vast quantities OF gun
powder placed underneath the surface. Miners
have not, heretofore, explored the lava beds, but
after the cases of Jack and his tribe are disposed OF
by the troops no DOUBT there will be thorough ex-
animation of this volcanic tract, which viii always
remain Identified with piece OF very black Indian
perndy.