The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-05
HOW EAGAN WOW PROMOTION.
The Modoca Gave Him the Chance and Mo.
Niniey Gave Him the Reward.

NIhitJ ShNe htitn u Reward.
From the Washington Evening star.
About twenty-five years ago." said a we'll
known army officer. tho Modoc Indian war, in
the lava beds OF southern Oregon and northern
California, was in progress. In it occurred some
rs severe fighting, under adverse circum-
stances, ms ever came to the lot of the United
States Army. Among the troops engaged in
that war was the Ninth United States Infantry.
1t is well known that this regiment was never
permitted to take any part in the civil war, but
was kept during that whole %eventful period on
the Pacific slope. 1t WAS not the fault of the
officers of the regiment. yet they felt very sensi.
tive on the subject.
Among the officers of that regiment was a
young Lieutenant, whose name l shall mention
later. On the evening preceding tho heaviest
fight TINT occurred during the campaign re.
marks were made rejecting upon the courage
OF what they designated as the California con
%tingent. meaning thereby the Ninth Infantry.
These remarks came to the ears OF the young
Lieutenant, who Immediately sought their
author. and in the presence Of a large mum Der
Of his fellow officers resented the aspersions in
the most vigorous terms, branding the man as u
modern Annnias, and also announcing that i'm.
mediately after tho fight which was slated for
good all that he then said.
Furthermore. as the mattcro Of personal cour.
that in the light of the following morning he
should wear his full uniform. and he challenged
the author OF The disparaging remarks to do the
same. That nightthe commanding General sent
for this Lieutenant and informed him that In
the charge that was TO be made on the following
morning he was going to give him the next posi-
line. Amy soldier will know that when troops
are in line Of battle tho left is equally exposed
with the right. 1t happened, therefore. that
on the morning Of the battle the California Lieu
tenant; true to his word, appeared in command
of the left of the line In full uniform, and as IL
was well known that such an exposure was to
court almost certain death. not another officer
did SO appear. notwithstanding the Lieutenant's
emphatic challenge. In the gray dawn of the
following hour the troops lined up in front OF
those terrible obstacles known AZ tho lava beds.
they went, first one and then another, in the
face OF a whitening fire from the savages behind
piles OF rocks, some five and some fully forty
uniform, AT the head OF his company on the left
OF the line. The right was crushed and fell
back, but ne left. encouraged by its command
cr,s splendid example. held its ground.
AS may be Imagined. tho officer in full uni
form received the attention OF every Modoc war
rior who caught sight or him, ana they finally
brought hin down with a rife ball through his
two soldiers, instead of permitting them To carry
him off. as they wished to do. he placed a hand
on the shoulder OF each, and, thus supported,
he fought on, until by sheer loss OF blood his
whole strength gave way and tho soldiers laid
him down TILL the fight was all over. His gal
liant conduct on this occasion won for him tho
undying friendship OF tho lato Major.GGn.
Crook, 10, whose department he was soon after
called. 10 his own valor and this friendship
the nited States owes it that he is now Brig.
Gen. Charles p. EaEnn, ComnissAry General OF
The Modocs touched the button in the lava
beds Of Oregon, and President Mckinley has
done the rest; The same conduct in the British
French Army it would have brought the cross
or The Legion Of Honor. In tho United States
Army IL won only the friendship of Gen. Crook,
ana yet we fancy II Ten; EagAn were now tC
choose between them all no would take the lat
ter"