The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-30
FROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
AT THE SEAT OF WAR.
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. %. 1873. ]

about six miles from Captain Jacks camp, the
of the lake. The troops in the first camp were
under the command of Captain Bernard and were
intended to cooperate with General Wheaton.
commander Of the forces.
THE PLAN OF ATTACK.
General Wheaton having completed all the
arrangements for an attack, fixed on Thursday.
the 10th inst, as the time to begin The plan OF
attack embraced a movement of Bernards
from the east simultaneously with a march
of the troops from Van Bremen's headquarters
from the west. On the 18th General Wheeler sent
orders to Bernard to break up camp ON Thursday
and move towards Captain Jacks camp, and to
take up position as near as possible, to hold the
same during the night and then to attack on
Friday morning. 1t was expected that the Modocs,
being thus attacked simultaneously on both sides,
would be entirely demorallzed. Bernard's CON-
mand numbered over one hundred men.
THE INDIANS ADVANCE AND FIRE.
According to orders he moved from his camp on
Thursday, but had not proceeded far before the
Indians began to dispute his advance, and all day
Thursday he had close and hand to hand fight
ing. He, however. succeeded in taking and hold
ing position near the Indian camp
THE FORCE AT CAMP VAN BREMEN.
The troops at Camp Van Bremen consisted OF
one company OF cavalry under Colonel Perry two
companies of infantry under Major Mason, two
companies of Oregon volunteers under Captains
Kelly and Applegate, and one company Of volun-
teers under John A. Fairchild-thc whole under
General Wheaton.
MARCH
from Camp Van Bremen commenced at nine O'Clock
ON Thursday morning, the troops moving direct
across the mountains toward Captain Jacks camp.
Supplies, blankets howitzers &c. were placed in
northward and could get ne nearer than the lowest
slope of the mountain where the Indians en-
camped. The troops arrived at this point at one
O'Clock, where they waited for the wagons, which
did not arrive till after dark The troops then en-
camped on the slope, remaining there all Thursday
night
GENERAL WHEATON BAFrLED BY THE FOG.
GeneTdl WHed now saw his error iii issuing
his order for this movement, for on reaching the
summit of the mountain nothing was visible but
deep, impenetrable fog SO dense as to render
almost impossible any chance OF q successful hunt
after the Indians but it was then too late to draw
back, as Bernard had obcyed orders and was
already holly engaged.
AWAY TO DEMANDS ASSISTANCE.
He could not be left to maintain the struggle
alone, nor could word reach him to discontinue
the fight There was no time for delay. The
troops under Colonel Green were ordered to adj
vance; Captain Farchd's company was assigned
to position on the left, the infantry unuer Mason
with the oregon volunteers, and Colonel Peny's
company of cavalry dsmounted. The line thus
formed advanced over the rocks and through the
chasms of the lava bed.
BATTLE IN THE LAVA Bed
They reached within a mile OF the Indians with
out resting; then the Indians commenced firing on
them from behind rocks, from out OF the dense fog.
The soldiers could only fire at random or at the
places from whence came the fire of their foes.
The line was reformed while the battle was
In progress, Perry being ordered to double back
and take a position next to Fairchild to effect
junction with Bernard's men. TO do this they had
to pass round blufr, and were exposed to a
terrible fire from the Indians Fairchila's company
took the lead.
TWO MEN wOUNDED-A POSITION GAINED.
At a certain point two men leli wounded. Fair
child at length gained point where the men were
in comparative safety, and were also enabled to
force the Indians to keep within shelter OF the
rocks. Thus Mason and Perry's commands were
enabled to form junction with Bernard in CON-
parative safety. Colonel Perry was wounded in
the passage.
THE REDSKINS FIGHTING FIERCELy.
Bernard now attempted to force the Indians
back to enable Fairchild also to join him. In this
he was unsuccessful as Fairchild's men were
obliged to lie down fat on their faces to
keep out Of the range OF indian bullets and
were obliged to keep In that position
| until they we're joined by Bernard's command.
taking their wounded. The howitzers were not
used until the battle had been some time in
progress, when they were found almost useless,
owing to the density OF the fog and the ignorance
OF the whereabouts Of the Indians, and also for
fear OF injuring Bernard's men.
UNCLE SANS BOYS AGAIN BEATEN BACK.
The line continued to advance, suffering con-
siderabIy till the chasm was reached, IN which
Captain Jack has had his stronghold. This chasm