Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-02
From the Lava Beds

New York, May "A lava bed special Of
April 10Th, says: The troops have all returned
and nothing was heard of Lieut. Crauston,
Sergeant Self and private Bloom. The last
two were last seen running in the direction OF
the centre of the lava beds right into the den
of the savagcs. Sunday night the Modocs had
L large fire. dancing around it some time
Donald Mckay and his Warm Spring Indians
IN the fight were of little assistance, us our
troops were SO demoralized that they fired on
them by mistake, compelling them to retreat.
The bodies of four dead and the wounded, were
notrecovrrcd till Sunday morning. Most OF tie
mules have the cpiz )otic. The Indians had
completely surrounded our troops, and when
the men broke many ran right into The jaws OF
death. Four men were found around the ody
Of Lieut.. Wright, and eleven around MAYOR
Thomas and Lieut.. Howe. BY all accounts 1t
appears that they were attacked by thrty,hVe
Mndocs, which is supposed to be the whole
strength of the enemy. Our men lost fourteen
guns and about two Thousand rounds OF ammu-
milton, which the Indians probably have. The
Indians bad six fires burning on the night OF
the 18th. Eight Of our killed we're buried 90
the field. The bodies Of Captain Thomas aud
Lisutcnants Howe, Sherwood and Wright were
taken to Yreka on the morning OF the 29th by
Lieut.. Taylor. The wounded are doing well
Some pt the bodies were mutllatcd by the lu-
dlans. having the feet and hands cut Oft.
\ Ircka dispatch of the lst instant states
that the bodies Of the above named officers
have arrived there, and lay III state in Masonic
Hall. No aggressive movement against the
Modocs will be made for some days as General
Davis will not move until thoroughly prepared.
He left for the lava beds to day, the lst.
san FRANCISCO, May 1.-The following dis
patch was received from Irrka this afternoon !:
CAPTAIN Silva and Mr.. W. s. johnson arrived
from the front this afternoon, having left Gen.
GiI!cm's camp on Tuesday morning. Mr..
johnson believes there has been nothing done
since the battle of the Goth instant. Every
thing was quiet and 10 different liuc of policy
in fighting the MudocS had been settled upon.
The opinion prevailed that it would be perfect
i,lly t. attempt to whip the Modocs after the
manner pursued thus far. No scouting has
been done and nothing has been heard from
Lieut. Cganstou and the missing men, whose
bodies have probably been burned. Eight
bodies are known to be still on the field OF bat
tie or burned. Captain Mcndallhalls command
arrived in camp on the 18th from South lue
Lake. General Davis, with his escort Of TWEEN.
ty-tivc men, left Balls this morning. The
bodies Of Lieut.. Sherwood and the other 9th
GERS who were killed in the late fight have ar
rived at Irrka and will be sent to San Francis
co by way of Readings.
\ dispatch Just received from Yreka states
that all The settlers in Butt and Bogus Greeks
have moved away. Batteries \ and X of the
Fourth Artillery, have becu consolidated under
command Of Lieut.. Lcary, and Companies Il
and G Twelfth Infantry, under command OF
Lieut. Camp No active movement will be made
au;lilst the Modocs at present.