Infernal Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Infernal Caverns |
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Row of soldiers' graves at the battle site, 2016
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| Location | Near Likely, California |
| Official name: Infernal Caverns Battleground | |
| Reference no. | 16 |
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Infernal Caverns is a historic site in California. It's known for a battle that took place in 1867. This battle was between the United States Army and Native American groups, including the Shoshone, Paiute, and Pit River Indians. Today, Infernal Caverns Battleground is recognized as California Historical Landmark No. 16.
Where is Infernal Caverns Located?
Infernal Caverns is also sometimes called Hell Caves. You can find it about 6.5 miles west of Likely, California. It's also just 1 mile south of the Ferry Ranch. This area is in Modoc County, California. The battleground was the site of one of the last major conflicts involving Native Americans in California. This important event happened on September 26 and 27, 1867.
History of the Infernal Caverns Battle
In the mid-1800s, there were many conflicts in the western United States. These conflicts often involved Native American tribes protecting their homelands. The United States Army sent General George Crook to the west. His mission was to respond to these tensions.
Native American tribes like the Northern Paiutes lived in what is now Northern California, Nevada, and Southern Oregon. They had been fighting to protect their lands since 1848. Tensions grew as miners moved into Native American territories. This led to conflicts where lives were lost on both sides.
General Crook and his soldiers, the 39th Mounted Infantry, tracked the Native Americans. They followed them south from Goose Lake. This lake is now on the border between California and Oregon. The two groups met in a wild, rocky place called Infernal Caverns.
The battle lasted for two days. It happened high up in a canyon. This area was full of huge boulders, rocky caves, and hollow spots. These hollows were formed by ancient lava flows. During the fight, eight U.S. soldiers were killed. Six of them were buried right at the battle site.
One soldier, Sgt. David Rustler, was badly hurt. He was carried on a special stretcher pulled by mules. He was taken to Camp Warner near Goose Lake. Sadly, he died a few days later. Lt. John Madigan was the only officer who died in the battle. He was buried outside the town of Alturas, California.
Remembering the Soldiers: Memorials
After the battle, the U.S. government placed six white marble tombstones. These markers showed where the soldiers were buried at the site. In 1995, another tombstone was added. This was for Private Willoughby Sawyer. His original marker had been missing for many years. California historian Chris J. Wright discovered this missing part of history.
