The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-30
SLAUGHTER.
CONTINUED FROM FIFTH PAGE.

OF the Twelfth Infantry. and eight wounded. nclud-
ing Lieutenant Harris Of the Fourth artillery.
These, added to the number OF wounded men above
cited, show large percentage OF casualties from
the small number of men engaged. Some sixty or
sIxTY-ONE MoDocs ARE ARMED WITH SPENCER CAR
and breech-loading muskets. In more than one in
stance Modoc has been known to have two or
more Spencer rlfles, enabling him to keep up a
rapid fire from his natural or artificial breastwork
OF rock. The surface OF the ground in many places
is torn up by volcanic actions which form crevices,
and these are adaptable to the purposes OF either
hiding or for points Of defence. In several in
stances the soldiers, knowing nothing OF the
topography, have come unawares on such assures
and before they could escape were confronted with
willy Indian
RIFLE LEvELLED AND FINGER ON THE TRIGGER.
Death or at least a dangerous wound is the re-
suit. Too often the cowardly redskins escape by
so many paths known only to themselves. As a
sample Of their treacnery and cunning may not be
amiss will state that portion OF Batteries and
K, Fourth artillery, and Company Z, Twelfth In
fantry, nndng themselves in danger OF being out
aanked, took shelter In hollow spot, afrording
partial cover. No sooner had they done so than
the Indians, who knew and commanded every
egress from the cavity at that point, numbering
twenty-one warriors detached seven OF their num-
Der on one side fourteen remaining on the other,
and then onened
CROSS FIRE
on the poor fellows, who could not show head or
hand without certainly being struck. Very few es-
capped injury. The rest were either killed or
wounded.
1t is impossible to ascertain the number OF Mo-
docs killed and wounded. Yesterday Captain
Mckay reported that the Warm Spring Indians had
taken four scalps. This may be the whole or it
may be only portion OF the killed. the Modocs
being very careful to destroy, as far as possible.
all traces OF their casualties carrying their
wounded into caves and burylng the dead bodies.
Their wounded are supposed to be
HIDDEN IN CAVES,
but few OF them have been seen so far Justice to
the memory of the gallant dead compels the record
Of the following
WE'LL AUTHENTICATED FACTS
When Captain Thomas found himself and his men
surrounded BY his vndctve foe, true to his nature
soldier, he sought to cheer the soldiers on to
the bitter end and obtain, II possible life for life,
and to sell their lives dearly, saying "Men we are
surrounded; we must fight and die like men and
.oldiara
CAPTAIN THOMAS DEATH.
In his noble EFFORT to sustain the courage OF his
small command, ne was ably seconded by Lieu
tenants Howe and Wright
After receiving mortal wound he buried his
gold watch and chain among the rocks, and
emptied his revolver among the enemy before
dying living he would also write in terms of
well-deservsd praise OF
THE cosDUc! or LIEUTENANT HARRIS
who was similarly situated. Captain Thomas,
with portion Of his battery. X, Fourth artillery,
set an example Of bravery and determination to
his men, uttering some such sentiments as those
already quoted; not that it required such express
sons to stimulate the men TO deeds OF bravery,
when every man would willingly have followed
either officer wherever they chose to lead yet they
showed the mutual confidence existing between
them.
SINCE THEY WERE TO PAIL
1t is pity 1t had not been when opposed to wor.
thier foes. Yet 1t Is q mournful consolation that
each, Captain Thomas and Lieutenants Howe
and Wright, the sons OF soldiers, met sol-
dier's death IN the defence OF the government
and laws OF the country. or the men killed or
wounded, 1t is perhaps suf1cent say they showed
their bravery with their blood-the former with
their lives the latter in total or partial disability
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