Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-24

the lake shore and the Indians are evident
~ fighting for the water. Every one VINO
has seen our troops In action speak OF
them In the highest terms.
YRExA, April 17.-Mr. Costello, spec
ial courier arrived at noon, having left
headquarters ut the Lava Beds ct O'Clock
last night with the foIIow wing news OF YES.
terdays work.
Early Wednesday morning the Modocs
bad . big fire In their camp and Major
Thomas dropped 2shell directly into It,
provoking frantic war whoop, and caus-
Ing the sudden extinguishing Of the Are.
Another shell was dropped in the same
locality. aud was followed by yells Of pain
and dismay, andthe ModOcs then appeared
and challenged the soldiers to come out
and fight. Another shell WAS tue answer,
and they were driven back. At four
O'Clock A. NJ, after another fight the Mo-
docs gave up the attempt to break through
our lines and retired. Scattering shots
were fired Il the men who attempted to
advance on them. AT nine o'clock Col.
Gillem's command moved forward from
the position gained on Tuesday. aud soon
occupied the ledge next 10 Jacks camp
Col. Mason moved the right forward as
rapidly IS possible to form a junction with
Gen. Gillem's left. cutting of the Modocs
from the Lake their only source Of water
supply. The junction was effected at noon
at PM, the morfars were throwing shells
within excellent range.
Col. Greene fell back behind the ledge
awaiting the Modocs, should tie she'll
drive them out. After the firing, the Mo-
does replied with yells. After the iinh
shell there came raking fire. aud small
party Of men sprang out Of the cha SIN and
came into the lines amid shower of bull
lets. The falling back was caused by the
Nodocs thanking and opening u cross fire;
Col. Miller attempting TO form junction
with the Warm Spring Indians. missed
them as he swung down the great chasm
with thirteen men, whcreupon Miller foni-
fled himself. The Modocs fought for their
lives until the mortars opened, and with
stood the fire until =. NJ, when the shells
began falling In their midst, and they broke
cover, dashing along the ledge, aud losing
two men killed, and one wounded. The
line was reformed and held around the
Modocs. Col. Mason signalled that the
Modocs were on his rear flank trying to get
out.
All ~ r. NJ. Col. Mason's men were
seen on the Bluff. There was heavy firing
at 5 O'Clock on Col. Mason's line; strong
effort was made to unite Col. Mason's Ter
Greene's whole line was moving; Col. Ma
son. at 8 Al. signalled that the Modocs
were leaving the lava beds, and the caval-
~ were ordered TO pursue. Half an hour
later heavy firing was heard at the Motlocs'
stronghold. At l so the Warm Spring In
dams reported three more Modoc scalps,
making four to-day.
AT 9'o'cloek p. NJ. the terrible fire has
ceased. There will be no more severe
fighting before the works are carried. 1t
Is almost impossible to see an Indian.
Costello says that the blaze from the
musketry firing along the lake shore about
the time OF his departure last night was
continuous. He believed the Modocs made
4 strong effort to escape by the lake or TO
get water, and were completely routed,
from the appearance Of the firing and the
time OF its duration. He says the Indians
are certainly disheartened. for he watched
them with glass at long range three diff
ferent times during the days fight and they
were running from one point to another
with no apparent purpose. and seemingly
bewildered by the advance of our forces. =
Tie learned that our casualties are four kill
led and nineteen wounded, some slightly.
LATER.
The reports from the scene of the Modoc
war are conflicting. One report SAYS that
on Wednesday night, I6th) they escaped
from the Lava beds In southwesterly d.
rection; and that the cavalry are in pur-
SUIT. Another account says only a few
Nodocs have escaped. and the most Of the
band are still In the Lava beds and are be-
Ing watched by the troops. 4 white team
ster was murdered by some ofthe Modocs,
near Yreka, Friday.
Dispatches from Reading, Cal, SAYS
tina, Col. Mendenyalrs battery with two
officers and sixty men on foot, and Capt.
Harbuck's battery with three officers and
seSenty-three men mounted accompanied
by battery. left at one O'Clock Z. NJ, Sat
pa saS 81 f4r Fe5s GE19k & srn
point There are fears of gene cal Indian
outbreak in that country should the Modocs
make their escape to that section. The
troops will be ready to pursue the Indians
and protect the settlers.
San Francisco dispatch Of Sunday.
says, we learn there is a large cave six
miles from the late Modoc stronghold in a
southwesterly course, the directions taken
by the Indians. The cave will be harder
to approach and will protect them much
better from shells. Its amply supplied
with wood, but according TO his recollcc-
ton. Is nearly half mile from water.
There are great many less caverns and
crevices, but no water. He believes it
almost certain that the Modocs or a portion
ofwhich succeeded in escaping. now occu-
py this stronghold. The Modocs are be-
iieved to be running ort of provisions
and ammunition, and evidently much de-
moralized. Should the Modocs escape
from this stronghold and join the Pitt river
or ether large tribes, Gen. Schofield viii
assume command in person. Capt. Jack
with the Pitt Indians would give trouble to
the present number Of warriors. All
available troops are being sent forward.