The Benton democrat. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1871-18??, 1873-01-25
THE DEAD LEFT ON THE FIELD!

Modocs, on the lava beds, near Tule
Lake. The troops consisted Of $50
regulars, and about $50 Oregon and
California Volunteers; also few Klam-
ath Indians. On Thursday morning
Captain, Bernard, with one hundred
regulars and few klamath Indians,
moved around the northern end of the
lake to the east of Captain Jacks po-
sition. At eight o'clock Friday morn
ing he was to advance from the east,
while General Wheaton, with the re-
mainder of the forces, were to attack
Jack from the west, under cover OF fire
from the howitzers. Thursday night a
dense fog arose, completely enveloping
everything SO that it was impossible to
see forty yards in any direction. The
two forces were about twelve miles apart
though to communicate with each other
it was necessary to go much greater
distance. Captain Bernard commenced
the attack, and was resisted by Jacks
men, numbering about 200, concealed
in the rocks along a line two miles long.
General Wheaton, hearing Captain Ber-
nard's guns, had no alternative but to
advance to his assistance without the
aid of the howitzers, as Captain Ber-
nard's position was SO indefinite as to
endanger his command from shells.
They fought the unseen enemy from
eight o'clock in the morning until dark,
through a terrific fire, during which
time scarcely an Ind5an was seen. The
loss to the troops was fourteen killed
and twenty three wounded. Indians
loss unknown.
Capt. Bernard's men stood the brunt
of the fight, and suffered most severely.
The troops were compelled to retreat,
leaving their dead on the field. The
Indians fought with desperation, and
seem determined to fight it out on their
own line. Their position is considered
the strongest natural fortifeation in
the country. 1t is estimated that
1000 men will be necessary to success
fully fight Captain Jacks band, which
has been reinforced by the Pitt River
Indians. 1t is feared that this victory
may result in other bands joining the
hostile savages.
Gen. Wheaton telegraphed report
of the result to Gen. Candy, from which
we extract the following:
Two oficers-Brevet Colonel David
Perry, Company F, First Cavalry, was
wounded in the left shoulder, and John
G, Kyle, First Cavalry, Company G.,
was wounded in the left arm, but not
seriously. We are indebted to General
John Ross for the gallant cooperation
of. the Oregon Volunteers. Captain J.
A. Fairchild brought % brave Califor-
ornia Volunteer Rihemen, who Joined
in time to participate in the attack.
We can learn of but two Oregon
Volunteers killed-Frank Trimble and
j. r. Brown.
After lengthy preparation, battle
has at last been fought, with the above
disastrous results. Many supposed,
from the outset, that this Modoc trouble
would not reach the dignity of ''war,"
but would soon be ended by a squad
of soldiery. All such illusory hopes
are now dispelled. and the blood Of our
brave troops has been spilled--a sacri-
fee to an overweening confidence in
"good Indians" We can think Of this
battle with only feelings of indignation
and regret, that willing band of brave
men were led into a trap. to be shot
down by an unseen foe, with no chance
of even seeing, much less killing, their
adyersaries. We trust the military will
now make adequate preparations to.
to fight these desperate savages. under
a black flag, and never leave the field
of battle while Modoc lives to raise a
war-whoop.
The Alta and Chronicle of San Fran