Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/516



cf the fighting to do, the Indians in front of him being in greater numbers than at any other point. In a desperate encounter, such as this one, the troops needed the inspiration of cool and confident officers ; but Captain Jackson was so ill this day that, according to Bernard, he should have been in the hospital, " falling several times upon the ground from exhaustion." Doubtless his lieutenants behaved valorously, but it is plain that Bernard had his hands full, and that he received blame which should not have been accorded to him.

The loss on the side of the Modocs was unknown, but was not thought to be great. They were considered to be m as good condition for making sudden descents on the settlements as before the battle ; and Applegate's company was sent to Lost river to protect those nearest to the stronghold. In fact they were scouting within six miles of Lost river on the 19th, when Lieutenant Beam with twenty-five volunteers was on his way to Bernard's camp with the horses belonging to Fairchild's company. They had captured the arms and ammunition of the fallen soldiers, which was considerable, as the troops were ordered to have one hundred rounds on their persons, and fift}^ rounds in close reserve. The time for which the Jacksonville volunteers had enlisted, thirty days, had expired on the 6th, the prospect of a battle only having detained them beyond that time; and as they had left their homes and business without preparation, at a moment's warning, they were now anxious to return. The possibility that the result of the battle of the I7th might cause an excitement on the reservation, rendered the presence of Captain Applegate at Yainax desirable.

In consideration of these circumstances. General Wheaton, on reaching Van Brimmer's, sent a dispatch to' Portland by the wa}- of Yreka, asking General Canby for three hundred foot-troops and four mortars, and suggesting that the governor of California be