The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-01-23

FIRST BLOOD FOR CAPTAIN JACK -
Uncle Sam has received q remarkably
black eye in the fret round of the set to
with his red cousin in Oregon, captain
jack" The disaster near Lake Tule is
as Notifying as it was unexpected. The
national troops were confident of VIC
tory. and considered the campaign more
holiday excursion than deadly con-
test with foe watchful, wary aud deter
mined. For several days past-for the
last two weeks-the telegraph has
brought us intelligence of the prepara-
tions which were being made to extermi-
nate the Modocs. The leading idea on
tertained by the officers was not to guard
against the possibility of defeat, but to
| inaure the complete destruction Of the
enemy. It WAS not to be warfare, but "a
hunt; "surround," rather than bat
tie. We were informed that large force
had been collected near the place held
by the Indians; that howitzers had been
placed IN position, and even the plan of
attack was given. "The crisis" the re-
port stated. had arrived, and we ucro
next to hear that Captain Jack was rout.
ed and his band dead or in chains. In.
stead OF this, we are told very different
story. The United States troops we're
repulsed, defeated and forced to f1y,
with heavy loss in killed and wounded; =;
and nation which pretends to be the
first power on tho globe finds itself
unable to cope with a few hostile savages,
and sustains disaster in the first en-
gagement. This result seems to hnve
been brought about by the over conf
dence OF our officers and men; by under
estimating the skill nnd courage of the
enemy; by an unwise dispersion of forces,
and BY the disobedience of orders on tho
part OF q subaltern, which brought on
an attack and precipitated battle before
the preparations Of the whites were com.
pleted.
The actual loss among the soldiers was
heavy, but the indirect results of the
conflict promise to be much more disns-
trons. It has demonstrated that United
States soldiers can be defeated even
when in large numbers, and the charm
of our invincibility is dispelled. Not
only will the Modocs resist more despe-
rately in the next attack. while the Go
vernment forces will be demoralized end
apprehensive of second repulse, bnt it
will emboiden nll the hostile and half
| friendly tribes Of the Pacific slope, and
the enemy will soon be numbered by
thousands instead Of hundreds. Our
only safety liea in another and i'm mmedi-
ate attack and complete victory. A
few weeks OF delay may neoessitate
long and bloody struggle.
So far as the cnsus belH is concerned,
| the Modocs seem to have right on their
side. They gave up their lands in 1870
to the Government, and in accordance
with the treaty, went to the reserve
which had beem assigned for their occu-
patton. But thoy we're driven away by
the Klamaths, who claimed the reserva-
ton. and. receiving neither protection
nor assistance from the United States,
returned to the territory which they had
relinquished. They refused to accept a
new reservation, and have since held
possession OF their original territory,
from which the United States forces
were attempting to drive them when
routed at Lake Tule on Friday.
augusta Chronicle ana Sentinel.
On Monday last, Coroner c. P. Quat-
tlecbum held an inquest over the dead
body of Frank Barr, oolored, at the re-
of e.