The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-09
THE MoDoC WAR.
REPORT FROM THE SEAT OF HOSTIlITlES.
Nineteen White Persons Have Been Killed by
the Indians-Danger Of Other Tribes join
ing the Hostile Northumberland Soho
field to Take the Initiative-The Last
Attack on q Wagon Escort.

[From the Sacramento (Cal) Union, Dec SOL
?. A. Doris arrived here yesterday from Yrcka,
accredited by resolutions of meeting Of the citi-
zens OF that place to confer with Governor Booth
upon plan for the better prosecution OF the war
with the Modoc Indians. His statement gives US
to understand that the trouble with these Indians
was precpitated by the order to force them to go
upon the reservation this Winter, aud might
probably have been avoided by more prudent
management Doris Ii an old resident Of that
region. He speaks well OF the Modocs though he
thinks, as matters stand now. they will have TO be
chastsed IL not to enforce obedience to the order
at least to compel them to surrender those who
have massacred citizens and shot soldiers. He places
the extreme number of Modoc warriors at ninety
and OF those now in arms and lntrenched at the
Lava Bed challenging night at not more than
forty-Hve. He says they have all along been rather
exemplary in their conduct and what might be
termed good Indians; that they are in til habit of
working Tor their living; that they have inhabited
from time immemorlal; that they are much at
tached to 1t that they have not been greatly in the
way OF or Injurious TO the white settlers; that the
hOsptable region where 1t Will be difficult to keep
stock in the Winter; that they will therefore have
to depend the government Tor 10Od, and that
these are some Of the reasons why they resist the
order and desire modification OF the treaty OF
1868. Their chief, Captain JACK, very intelligent
Indian, also complains that an attempt was made
to Kill his iavOrite sister, represented as woman
OF extraordinary Intelligence and worth for one
OF her race Doris complains that the United
States troops In that country are not used to
Indian WARFARE ana thas tne Size s nave no con-
their retreat and bring the war to satisfactory
conclusion. tie does not desire an inhuman war,
but he thinks there must be some chastiSement
before there can be peace or security Tor the set
tiers; and this he believes the troops there not
| able to accomplish. In fight where they outnum-
bered the Modocs the latter got the best OF It, and
afterwards flushed by their victory, they massacred
| a number OF citizens aud frightened others from
tneir homes. For these reasons he Is directed to
call on the Governor for counsel and aid In what
ever way IL can best be afforded.
Considering that there are now $50 troops in
that region, while the whole number OF ModOc
warriors does not exceed ninety, and considering
that these and all other Indian tribes directly
under the surveillance and Jurisdiction OF the
United States, the Governor can hardly do other
wise than refer the matter to Major General SchO-
field, who will doubtless send more troops to the
seat OF the trouble II he can be convinced that
they are needed; and this, we understand is what
will be DONE So lar nineteen citizens and SOL
diers have been killed, ana the armed Indians have
grown very insolent from their successes 1t Is
Doris opinion that artillery VIII be needed to dis
lodge them from the Lava Bed, where they are now
intrenched. Fears are entertained that II they are
not disOdged ana subdued before Spring the
Snakes and Yantics may be encouraged to unite
with them IN general war, which would threaten
the Daes 1t was error TO attempt rigorous
execution OF the provisions OF the treaty at this
severe season OF the year, especially against q
peaceabe and exemplary, and whose presence
furnished no just cause Of complaint the part Of
their white neighbOrs. But since matters have
gone so far the best thing that now be done IL
TO subdue them as speedily and with as little inhu
manity as possible. II more troops are needed we
trust General Schoneld VIII forward them without
delay.
Attack ON n Wagon Escort-Onc OF the
Soldiers Mutilated-Anothcr Dies ON
Rcaching Camp-Enorts to Draw Out
the Indians.
Especial despatch to the San Francisco Chronicle.l
YREKA, CAL, Dec 80, 1872.
From dinerent parties just arrived we learn that
the Indians attacking the wagon escort the 21st
evidently shot from bank fifteen feet higher than
the road and In attempting to shoot the driver
sent bullet through the wheel mule on the on
side. The driver whipped up his team and reached
Bcrnard's Camp before the mule fell. Four horses,
on which the escorts were riding were also
shot. One OF the soldiers shot reached camp and
died after. The body OF the other mutilated
by being scalped, one ear cut off, and the other
partially as though the Indians had not finished
their work on account OF their retreat from Ber-
nard's. Squads OF about ten soldiers are sent
toward the Indians camp every day, in the hope
OF drawing them out. to be followed up until tne
enable force to cut them on. More troops have
been stationed at Forth Klamath, and the bomb
shells and h0wttzers from Fort Vancouver are
probably In the Indian locality by this time.
man named Robert B0land came along through
the Indian section just after the killing OF tine
Honey Lake and Big Valley. He saw Indians driv-
ing CATTLE and had no idea the Indian troubles were
so serious. There are fully 100 Indian warriors in
Captain Jacks camp at present.