Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-05-02
THE DEATH TRAP LAID BY THE
INDIANS.
OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION OF
THE DISASTER.
THE MODOCS REMAIN MASTERS
OF THE SITUATION.

San FRANCISCO, April 29-Noon.-
A courier at 1reka reports battle, in
which nineteen Federal soldiers were
killed, including Capt Thomas and
Lieuts. Howe and Wright. Twenty
three were wounded, including Lieut..
Harris. Others are missing.
LAVA BEDS. April 29-Night.-
accommodating party of artillery and
infantry proceeded in the direction of
the present Modoc stronghold, Capt.
Thomas commanding. A dozen of the
Warm Spring Indians were expected
to cooperate. On reaching the bluff
the Modoc fire drove the troops to a
shelter. and as usual the foe was IN
seen. The Indians delivered cross
and cnfilading fire. Two wounded sol
diers reached the camp, when four
Companies were sent to their rescue.
They carried stretchers for the wound
ed but could not reach them.
Later-Col. Green reports that the
surprise was complete and terrible.
Lieut.. Cranston, of the Fourth Artil-
lery, is missing. A full list of the
killed and wounded cannot be OBJ
tanned.
Later Stlll-The wounded and killed
have been collected and are waiting
for a conveyance to the camp. There
are sixteen killed, including Captain
Thomas, Lieut.. Howe, Lieut. Wright.
and eight additional wounded
The Modocs had Spencera and breech-
loading rifles. Some are known to
have had two or more rifles.
The Indians numbered twenty-one
When the soldiers tookrefuge in a hol-
low, every egress from which the In
dams commanded, the soldiers could
not show their heads or hands without
certainly being wounded. Very few
escaped. The rest were either killed
or wounded. The killed and wounded
of the Modocs are unknown. Captain
Mckay reports that his Warm Spring
Indians took their scalps.
The Latest-A heavy rain is falling.
Col. Green, who is out with reinforce
ments, is momentarily expected.
The Very Latest-It is difficult to
recognize the dead but from some ar
ticle of dress. Their lineaments
are horribly defaced Eight men were
buried on the field rlnrecognized.
Lieutenant Cranston, of Battery A,
with four men, is still missing. The
accommodating force consisted of bat
teries + and \. 4th Artillery, anu
Company E, 18th Infantry.
WAsHTNGToN. d. c., April 29-Night.
Captain Thomas was a son of the
late Adjutant- General L. Thomas:
Lieutenant Howe was a sop-in-law of
tillery School at Fortress Monroe Lieut..
merchant; and Lieutenant Wright was
&c
was lost on the steamer Brother
Jonathan.
New YORK, April 3o-Noon.-A
fearful trap, and the first four shots
more directly between the fire of the
Indians. On the right and left the
roilte was complete, and with the ex-
ception of the officers and non-com-
missiOned officers, a maj ority of whom
lay stretched on the rocks with their
life blood ebbing fast away, the
watchword was ''suave qui pent.' Du-
ring the night the Indians were creep
ing through the rocks to scalp and
strip the dead.
WAsHISGToS, April 30-Noon. Gen
eral Sherman has an official dispatch
forwarded from General Schofeld con-
frming the lava bed news.
Major Green. commanding on the
west side of the lava beds, ordered
Captain Thomas, with seventy soldiers
and fourteen Of the Warm Spring In
dams, to reconnoitre four miles from
the camp. The party reached the des-
tined point and were resting, but no
Indians had been seen, when the party
was fired upon and part of the com
mand became panicked. The organi-
cation III a great measure ceased. The
reached the camp at half
past L o'clock z. NJ. Major Green
then went to their assistance, when
Captain Thomas was found. Thomas
was entirely disorganized
and scattered. The details fully con-
tirm the casualties telegraphed yester-
day. All of the officers and part of
the men remained together and fought
like heroes, but the Indians had Sc
cured advantage of the position before
being discovered.
The remains of the heroes will be
sent to Yreka
The bodies of four of the warriors
were found near the scene.
The Indians occupy the rocks four
miles below their old position. 1t will
be impossible to surround them with
the force that is here and en- route.
The report is signed by Gillem.
General Sherman has telegraphed
to Grant and Belknap for advice.
san Francisco, April 30-Noon.-
4 Yreka dispatch says that the people
1t that place and SCOTS Valley are
srming themselves, they fearing a gen.
eral Indian var. The citizens in the
ALLEYS of Oregon, above the lakes and
ava beds, are moving away with their
,attle and property.