New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-14
ANOTHER VERSION or The BEN WRIGHT
MASSACRE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the EdttOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: Soon after the butchery of Gen. Candy
by Capt. Jacks band OF Modocs an account was pub
lshed III our city papers of alleged similar treaeher
Gus slaughter Of Modocs by one Capt Ben Wright ana
his men in 1852. AS this, a similar account OF thai
affair has probably been republished in the New-York
press send you as set-of" slip cut from more
recent sanFrauciscO paper, containing it Il believed.
rrue version Of the story, and placing the matter Ia
very different light:
MI John NJ Fulweller one OF the men who served In
Ben WrghVs company OF volunteers, which engaged ~
the massacre of MOdoc Indians during peace tax IN
1852, has published statement o. the acts
as he Is acquainted with them, In The Auburn
A,otls of April 49, He says the volunteers headed bY
Wright numbered 30 or 90 made up IN lreka IN septeia
ber 1882 lie says Ben Wright brave man. " IN the
trie sense OF the word and was chosen commander OF
these 80 or 40 volunteers We quote from FGiSellera
"Tncy tine volunteer) repaired TO the vicinity Of
what then known as Goose Lake, klamath Lake
and Lost River country They met many immigran
coming IN, and always gave them al escort. Many Of
those chosen for escort duty killed by the Indians
Everything that could ne done was done by the vOlun
assist the immigrants and prevent their butcheJ
by these iucarnate devils but still they continued theI
work OF murder, 1t being frequent occurrence 70 see
the bodies OF women, young and old outraged, dsem
boweled lacerated ana scalped; sucking braned
TIER ears and noses cut Of their eyes Dig out the
muscles OF the legs and arms cut out 20 make bOwrngs
Tor these pets OF humanity besides oiner lnuknLe4
that cannot here be mentioned The volunteers, under
their brave and reess leader renamed IN thar section
OF country Unt all the immigrants had passed
tho geIOus road and had killed but few Indians"
advisable 70 make peace with them" They were 10
vted 20 come in and talk" We again quote from Ful
weller:
"At the first meeting about dozen Indians came, bus
nothing def tie arrived az. Conferences were held
day after day the Indians becoming more numerous and
insOent, always demanding food and presents, which
furnished them On the nth day, IN the morning.
between sixty and seventy Indians into camp, AZ
OF them beng armed with their bows and their quiveu
full OF arrows, and conducted themselves IN such man
ner that it evident that something wrong Ben
Wright soon tine interpreters 20 work 10 ind out
what they and learned through Of the Squaws
VINO had become euamored with Of the Interpreters
tan Oregon INDIAN, that the. MOdOcs were only waiting
for good opportunity 20 kill the whole company Upon
receiving this information, Wright commanded his meu
10 prepare themselves, ~ either XIII OF be Killed
and he gave the word, To go IN, and every man
do his best MS orders were obcye1. After the nrs
fire about forty OF the Indians stood IN line about
twenty five yards distant, and without tnchlng TO
turned the fire Of the volunteers perfect shower
arrows was hurled from their bows One OF the yOlun
teers MORALLY three or four severely and five OF
six slightly wounded. The indians Old not run unth
about half their number were kiled-then ley broke
and scattered, after which several more maze &c
bite dust. ali. MUdOcs sent &c
tue happy huntng-grOund.' There were tweuty-0ne
volunteers engaged in the light
THIS statement is confirmed, as am assured. by ont
of Capt Wrights men in tLis city. It's Tepublics
ton in the East may to check any undeseryee
sympathy awakened by the former account IN behalf
Capt. Jacks band of Modocs. Yours, SAX.
San Francisco, May 3, 1873