William M. Bunker

“ After supper, I strolled along the edge of the bluff for my last view of the Modocs' rocky abode. The Lava Beds are of historical interest. As the scenes of Modoc triumphs they will ever claim the attention of the civilized world. Seventy warriors, encumbered with women and children to the number of two hundred, had defied the United States Government for months and months, killed and wounded soldiers equal to three times the number of their own fighting force, and again and again repulsed attacking parties consisting of several hundred regular soldiers. ”

“ The mean level of the beds is below that of the lake, As you draw near the stronghold it becomes necessary to descend into irregular chasms, Before you have time to study the topography of the place, ledges loom up fifty and sixty feet high, directly in front, and all but compel a halt. The savages, pressed by the troops, retired from ledge to ledge, and each retreat carried them to higher ground and gave them additional advantages. The stronghold proper is about the summit of several of the boldest ledges. They radiate from a common centre and are difficult of access. ”

“ Let grounded sea-weed represent the dark lines twisting through the bed, and the picture is complete. The gentle undulations, as they appear from a distance, the waving grass and bushes, the lights and shadows cast on the surface by passing clouds, are in strict keeping with a beach landscape. ”

“ Every rock stands on end and exposes angular points. When the war began the Indians were scattered along the western border. After several battles they suddenly vanished as by magic. It was supposed that they had fled to a distant locality. A reconnoissance developed them in what was aptly termed the back-bone of the beds, or Captain Jack's stronghold. This bone consists of a nob of giant ledges in the northeastern portion of the lava section. These ledges crop out boldly and have no special course. The best defined ledge generally trends north and south. ”

“ The rocks are not adapted to cave formations. The caves mentioned in war telegrams are spacious basins occurring in the solid rock. Those in the stronghold are one hundred or more feet in circumference, and have a depth of fifty feet. Overhanging rocks furnish a few of these caves with what might be termed incomplete roofing. Jack's band made a stand in the stronghold, and played sad havoc with assailing parties. One night the water in the stronghold gave out. The only convenient source of supply was the lake, distant one mile. Between the stronghold and the lake was a line of soldiers. ”

“ I had hardly finished a hasty inspection of the Cottonwoods when General Davis appeared on the scene. Each buck advanced, laid his rifle on the ground, gave his name, shook hands with the General, and calmly awaited instructions. The squaws and children huddled together and remained perfectly passive. At a respectful distance stood officers, soldiers, and war correspondents, who viewed with curiosity the singular scene. General Davis terminated the ceremonies with these remarks: "I will give you a camp where you may remain to-night. If you try to run or escape, you will be shot." ”

“ There is no rear for non-combatants in Indian fights. The firing developed in front may prove to be only a feint, and the severest attack generally begins from behind when the troops are advancing upon the enemy. With weapons ready for immediate use we turned the rocky point—to find that our scouts were shooting at the ducks on the lake, and had already bagged a goodly number. ”

“ The first intimation of the close proximity of the Indians were the shots and shouts. Hasbrouck swiftly placed his men in skirmish line and began aggressive work. In previous fights the Modocs had picked off the soldiers and demoralized the ranks by the devices peculiar to Savage warfare. The Indians only exposed themselves to view when they felt sure of a victory. Hasbrouck gave them little time to select their living targets. He made an irregular charge which was fatal to several of the shrieking fiends, and sent the entire outfit— bucks, squaws, and pappooses—flying for their lives. ”

“ The sight is uninviting because of the general suggestion of desolation. A forsaken region is the impression left upon the mind. No trees are seen in the immediate foreground, and those in the distance are dwarfed into bushes. ”

“ Even the toddling child would grab a handful of sand, stones, or sticks, and make a vicious fling at the pale-face who sought to force a close acquaintance. Indian ponies formed a sorry feature in the group. ”

“ The prisoners numbered sixty-three—twelve bucks, twenty squaws, and thirty-one children. Each buck wore the uniform of a private soldier, and carried a Springfield rifle. The squaws wore tattered and torn calico gowns, or the remnants of army blankets. The children had to depend mainly upon their robust constitutions for protection from the extremes of heat and cold. The bucks were generally small of stature, but wiry and muscular. The young squaws inclined to embonpoint, and those past the meridian of life to bones. ”

“ Fairchild, five soldiers of the Fourth Artillery, a special correspondent, and the four red-handed Modocs suddenly rode away together in the direction of the Lava Beds. Each member of the party was armed, and some of them may have been eager fora fray. I can safely acquit one member of any such eagerness. The General carried two self-cocking revolvers; Fairchild, the soldiers, and the special were armed with carbines; and the Indians were provided with Springfield rifles and a prodigal supply of cartridges. The Indians preferred the rifles because of their superiority to the carbines. ”