Battle of Lost River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Lost River |
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| Part of Modoc War (Indian Wars) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| United States | Modoc | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Captain James Jackson | Captain Jack Scarface Charley |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 40+ {U.S. 1st Cavalry Regiment}+citizens | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed, 7 wounded | 2 killed, 3 wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Lost River was the first big fight in the Modoc War. This war happened in the northwestern United States in 1872. The battle took place near the Lost River, which is on the border between California and Oregon. It started because the United States Army wanted the Modoc tribe to go back to the Klamath Reservation. The Modoc had left the reservation because they didn't like the conditions there.
After this battle, the Modoc leader, Captain Jack, and 53 of his warriors fought against over 1000 U.S. soldiers. They held out for seven months! This happened in an area now called the Lava Beds National Monument. A special place there, Captain Jack's Stronghold, is named after him.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
In the 1860s, the Modoc people were moved from their traditional home. This home was near the Lost River in California. They were sent to a new place called the Klamath Reservation in Oregon. The Klamath people, who were more numerous, were old enemies of the Modoc. This led to many problems and conflicts on the reservation.
Modoc Return Home
In 1872, Kintpuash (also known as Captain Jack) led his group of about 100 Modoc people. They returned to their old home on the Lost River. While they were gone, white settlers had moved into the area. These settlers complained to the government about the Modoc returning. They asked that the Modoc be forced back to the reservation.
Orders to Return
On November 27, a government official named T. B. Odeneal asked for help. He requested Major John Green to send soldiers. Major Green was in charge at Fort Klamath. The soldiers were needed to make Captain Jack's group go back to the reservation.
On November 28, Captain James Jackson left Fort Klamath. He led 40 soldiers. People from a nearby town called Linkville (now Klamath Falls, Oregon) joined them. On November 29, the soldiers reached Captain Jack's camp. It was located on the Lost River, near a place called Emigrant Crossing.
The Battle Begins
Captain Jack wanted to avoid a fight. He agreed to go to the reservation. But then, Captain Jackson told Captain Jack and his warriors to give up their weapons. Captain Jack had never fought the army before. This command made him worried, but he finally agreed to put down his weapons.
A Sudden Shot
The other Modoc warriors started to follow Captain Jack's lead. But then, a Modoc warrior named Scarface Charley and an army sergeant got into an argument. Reports say they both pulled out their guns and shot at each other, but both missed.
This made the situation explode. The Modoc quickly grabbed their weapons again. A short battle broke out. After fighting, the Modoc fled towards the California border. Captain Jackson ordered his soldiers to pull back and wait for more troops.
Battle Results
In this short battle, one U.S. soldier was killed. Seven soldiers were wounded. Two Modoc warriors were killed, and three were wounded.
After the battle, a small group of Modoc warriors, led by Hooker Jim, headed south. They went towards the Lava Beds near Tule Lake. On November 29 and 30, this group attacked settlers. This attack led to more calls for the U.S. Army to send more soldiers and stop the Modoc.
