Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-08
DESCRIPTION OF THE LAVA BEDS.


fornia from Oregon, in which the lava beds are
situated, has been the theatre of military ope-
rations against the Indians at different times
during the past twenty years. 1t has been
traversed by emigrants who settled in the
neighborhood, and it is we'll and favorably
known as cattle range. With the excep-
ton of the irregular volcanic region, south of
the lakes the land has been surveyed and
laid out in sections. Still very little accurate
information can be had concerning the retreat
where the Modocs have continued to defy the
power of the government. 1t is known, how
ever, to be cut with assures, yawning abysses,
lakes, high mountains covered with snow and
Astounding with caves. The lava beds cover
an area Of 100 square miles. They appear to
have been brought into existence by upheav-
ais from below. The roughness of the upper
surface remains, while all underneath is hon
ey-combed by cracks and crevices. The lar
gest cave is known as Ben Wright's cave,
which is said to contain fifteen acres Of open
space under ground, in which there is good
spring and many openings through which
man can crawl, the main entrance being about
the size of common window. In this cave
it is understood, Jack and his followers have
fortified themselves. The gulches and crew.
ces range from few feet to one hundred feet
in width, and many of them are one hundred
feet deep. The Indians can travel through
these lava beds by trails only known to them
selves, and stand on bluffs over persons fifty
yards beneath, and where it would require
long Journey to go to them. They can See
men coming at distance Of FIVE miles, with
out being visible themselves. They also can
permit their pursuers to come within few
feet of the bluff and shoot down and retire, if
necessary, to other similar bluffs. IF pressed
too closely, the Indians can drop into crevices
entirely inaccessible to troops, and follow some
subterranean passage, with which they are
fully acquainted, and gain another ambush
from which it would cost ten lives to dislodge
them. It is represented that the Modocs
can shoot from the top of cliffs without ex-
posing an inch of their persons. In the lava
beds are a number of small plots abundantly
supplied with bunch grass which cattle find
by long and circutous trails. The only thing
the Modocs lack is ammunition. Those who
visited the military headquarters during the
past few months, were detected on several oc-
casions stealing cartridges. and even some Of
the women were caught in the act. The troops
are we'll posted, so as to prevent the Indians
escaping. Their only line of retreat would
seem to be in southerly direction into the
Pitt River Mountains. The tribes in that
quarter are of warlike character and have
given the government considerable trouble in
times past. In 1858 and 1859, their ambush
es were so effective and their manner of war
fare so advantageous, that at first very little
progress was made in reducing them to sub
mission. The Pitt River savages when pressed
closely, would take their canoes and paddle to
the islands in the lakes, where they could not
be followed. After much care and trouble,
several boats were built and transferred across
the lava beds and the Indians were cut Oft
from these hiding places. One of the latest
measures of precaution taken by Gen. Candy
was to place boats on Tule Lake.
The troops, in pursuing the Modocs, have
to follow them on foot, and in passing through
the gulches and crevces, must expect to find
the enemy on the high bluffs above them at
every point, or making their way through
concealed passages to secure retreat. The
cannon and howitzer command all approaches
to and from the cave. Five hundred hand
grenades arrived last week at Van Bremer's,
and the supply of shot and shell is ample for
prolonged operations. There is no Disgusting
the serious difficulties that Col. Gillem has to
encounter. The Modocs know every nook
and cornerin the lava beds, and will, of course,
seek to find safety in flight. 1t would be very
unfortunate, indeed, if they succeed in effect
ing junction with the Pitt River Mountain.
Neay York Herald