Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1873-05-01

LAVA BED, April q, 5P, NJ.
From second dispatch sent by Colonel
Moore it appears that there are now COL
lected and awaiting conveyance to camp
l6 men killed, including Captain Thomas
and Lieutenant Howe, 4th Artillery;
Lieutenant Wright, and eight wounded,
including Lieutenant Harris, of the 4th
Artillery. These, added TO the number
of wounded men before cited, show q
large percentage Of casualties from the
small number engaged-about GO. But
it is readily accounted for when we con-
slider that many Modocs are armed with
Spencer carbines and breach-loading
muskets, and in more than one instance
Modocs have had two or more Spencer
rifles, which enabled them TO keep up
rapid fire. The abrupt surface OF the
ground afforded natural breastwork,
behind which the Indians could hide and
fight to great advantage. In several in
stances the soldiers, knowing nothing of
the topography Of the country, have
come unawares on these assures in the
rocks, and before they could escape they
met death or u dangerous wound. Too
often the Indians escape by paths known
only to themselves. By the treachery Of
the Indians, portions of Batteries A and
X took shelter in q hollow spot afford.
ing partial cover, when the Indians, who
knew and commanded every egress from
the cavity, placed seven of their warriors
on one side and IA on the other; then
opened cross fire ON the 20 soldiers,
very few of whom escaped injury, som
being killed. 1t was not possible yester.
day to ascertain the number OF Modocs
killed, as they conceal their casualties as
far as possible; but Captain Mckay re,
ports that his Warm Spring Indians had
taken four scalps.
Justice to the memory Of the gallant
dead compels US to record the follow.
ing facts: When Captain Thomas found
himself surrounded, true to his nature
as soldier, he sought to cheer
his men on to the bitter end
He said; Men, we are surrounded
we must fight and die like mer
and soldiers" In his noble effort t.
sustain the courage of his men he wa.
ably seconded By Lieutenant Howe
Lieutenant Wright, after receiving a NOR
tai wound, buried his gold watch an,
chain among the rocks and emptied hi
revolver amongst the enemy before dying
Captain Thomas, with a portion 0
Battery X, 4th Artillery, set an exampl
of bravery and determination to hi
men, uttering some such sentences a
those already quoted. Not that it re
quired such expressions to stimulate tn
men to deeds Of bravery, when ever
man would willingly have followed eithe
officer wherever he chose to lead; We
they show mutual confidence existin
between them. Since they were to fall
it is pity they had not been opposed t
a worthier foe. Yet it is a mournil
consolation that Captain Thomas
Lieutenant Howe and Lieutena1
Wright, the sons of soldiers, met soldiers
deaths in defense of their country's flal
April 27, $50 p. m.-Reinforcement
/ sent out under command of Co
l Green, together with the killed an
f., wounded, are expected momentaril,
The heavy rain now falling may be ben
4 fetal to the poor wounded men, allev
9 ating their sufferings and affording reli
to their fevered limbs. Their arrival
q anxiously looked for by their more fort
8 nate comrades in camp, where evel
b preparation is being made for the
II proper reception. When the news of IL
;. massacre reached camp, soldiers wi
h had grown old and gray in the servic
:, wept like babies at the fate of the
= officers and comrades.
April %, n. m.-Troops with Il
killed and wounded are returnin
a To the death list already give
must be added first Sergeant Robert
Roemer and private James Rose, ba
terry X, 4th artillery-who died yeste
n day-Sergeant Book, battery A, came
wounded, not being previously me
toned. In many instances it wou
: have been difficult to recognize the dea
J. but for some article of dress known
u have belonged to them. Indian barba
. ity had defaced the lineaments Of tho
Q killed, to an extent few OF the advocat
e of the Indian Peace Policy" won
l. readily believe. In the present instan
'e the peace policy has effected indirect
b the death Of General Candy and Il
equally noble and christian DR.. Thoma
yet this is only the beginning. On Il
4 18th, 10th and 18th, instructions we
received for the continuation of the san
X policy; but it required the massacre
J. the 26th to add the browning glory d.