had a soldier to shoot at. Just then an officer, 1 hat in one hand and a sword m the other, leaned up on a rock not more than twenty steps from Scarface Charley, and four or five other Moclocs that were stationed near him. The officer was saying 1 , "Come on, my boys ; let us rush them Moclocs wherever they are. Come on; we will find them!" The officer's name was Major Green. A braver man never drew the breath of life. When the major leaped on the rock, every Modoc that could see him, drew a bead on him and fired, but he still, stood on the rock, waving his hat and sword, calling: "Come on, my boys!" Every w r arrior that could see him \vas doing his best to drop him. They all concentrated their fire on him, but all in vain. Every soldier that jumped up on the rock that the major was standing on, waving his sword, fell back, either killed or wounded. The officer finally jumped off the rock out of sight of the frightened Modoc braves. They were talk- ing about the spirit officer that night. They all agreed that he w r as not a man in flesh. He was a spirit, that was the reason they could not hit him. Scarface Charley said : "1 w r as not scared; I was not afraid; I took good aim at that officer. I can't see why I did not hit him. I guess he was not a spirit. I heard him telling his men to follow him. If he is a spirit, he is the first one I ever met that could talk. Anyway, I would like to meet him again and take a few more cracks at him, but I tell you it does look strange that we did miss him so often while he was so near us. He is no spirit ; it is only this, that
iBrigadier General John Green served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and received the above promotion, 1890, for gallant services in action against Indians in the Lava Beds, California, January 17th, 1873, and for conspicuous gallantry in the several engagements during the Modoc War^ Awarded medal of honor November 4, 1897, for most distinguished gallantry in action against hostile Modoc Indians, at the Lava Beds, January 17th, 1873, in exposing himself in the most fearless manner to very great danger by walking in front of the line, when the men hesitated to go forward, as ordered, and reassuring the command, which then advanced upon the Indians, who were concealed among the rocks and fighting from behind their natural fortifications, while serving as Major of First Cavalry.
General Greene died Nov. 22, 1908.
April 20th, 1873.
Where all have done their duty so well it would seem invidious to men- tion any, but I feel it would be injustice not to invite attention to the cool- ness, good judgment and gallant bearing of Major John Green First Cavalry, whose conduct commanded the admiration of all.
ALVIN C. GILLEM, Colonel First Cavalry.
Commanding expedition, to the Assistant Adjutant General, Military Division of the Pacific, San Francisco, California.
