Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/610

 unable to effect a crossing, and was, besides, compelled to defend himself from a flank movement by the Modocs on his left. While in this discouraging position the fog lifted, and a signal was received from Wheaton to come into camp, established in a small cove on the lake shore, if he thought best. But fearing to expose his men a second time to the peril of passing the Modoc position, Green declined, and when night had fallen, commenced a march of fourteen miles, over a trail fit only for a chamois to travel, passing the dreaded ravine, carrying the wounded in blankets or on the backs of ponies captured during the day. Their sufferings were severe. One man, belonging to Fairchild's company, rode the whole distance with his thigh-bone broken and his leg dangling. When a halt was called, the men fell asleep standing or riding. Their clothing was in shreds from crawling among the rocks; their shoes were worn off their feet. A month in the field would not have brought them to such a state. It was not until past noon of the 18th that Green's command reached Bernard's camp on the east side of the lake. After making arrangements for the removal of the wounded to Fort Klamath, seventy miles away, over a rough road, three miles of which was over naked bowlders, Green and Mason, with an escort of ten Indian scouts, returned to headquarters that same night by the wagon-road around the north side of the lake.

When the volunteer captains reported to Wheaton, they were ordered to take their men to the lake for water, and then to take up a position in the crags, and extend a skirmish line to the left. While in this position, the Modocs not being far off, Hooker Jim was heard to call the attention of the other leaders to the separation of the volunteers from the regular troops, and that by moving around to the right of the volunteers they could cut them off, and also cut off