was poured into them from a large party of Modocs stationed there. The reserves coming up an order was given to charge, which was done with such force and rapidity that the Indians were obHged to retire, and the troops took their position. At the same time Mason was doing all in his power to divide the attention of the Modocs, while the army passed this dangerous point. In the charge. Lieutenant Ea;jan was wounded in the thigh, but did not leave the field. Several privates of Miller's artillery command were also wounded. At two o'clock the order was given to advance the mortars under Captain Thomas and lieutenants Cranston and Howe, 4th artillery. By half-past four they were hi position, and the left of the line on the west had deployed down the lake opposite to the stronghold, crossing the open space in front without loss. Half an hour later the Modocs seemed to be concentrating their fire on Mason's troops; but just at this time the mortars began throwing shells into the Modoc position, which gave them a diversion and arrested their fire. So far all went well. The bluff taken by the charge was still in possession of Miller's men, between whom and the main plateau or mesa, in which the caves were situated, only two ledges of rock intervened. On Mason's side, also, the Modocs had abandoned their outer line of defences; but the colonel would not yet expose his men by following them.
At six o'clock the mortars were again moved forward, and by nightfall the troops in front of the stronghold were ready to scale the heights. At midnight Mason took up the position abandoned by the Modocs within 100 yards of their defences. The day had closed with eight soldiers wounded and three killed, and one citizen supposed to be killed. The Indians were nearly surrounded, and fought the troops on every side, seeming^ to indicate more strength than they were supposed to possess. Mortar practice was kept up throughout the night with intervals of tenmin
