Second Battle of the Stronghold facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Battle of the Stronghold
Part of Modoc War (Indian Wars)
Captain Jack's cave in the Lava Beds
Date April 15-April 17, 1873 Location Captain Jack's Stronghold, California Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
Modoc	United States
Commanders and leaders
Captain Jack Scarface Charley John Schonchin	Alvan Gillem
Strength
53	675
Casualties and losses
3 men killed 8 women killed	7 killed, 13 wounded

The Second Battle of the Stronghold, also known as the Lava Beds Battle, was an important fight during the Modoc War. It happened in northeastern California. This battle was between a group of Native American Modoc people and the U.S. Army. The fighting started on April 15, 1873, and ended on April 17, 1873. The Army managed to make the Modoc leave their strong fort at Captain Jack's Stronghold. This fort was located in the Lava Beds. However, the Army did not capture the Modoc group during this battle.

Why the Battle Happened

After a peace meeting on April 11, 1873, two leaders were killed. Because of this, the U.S. Army got ready to attack the Modoc's fort. Colonel Alvan Gillem was in charge of the Army at this time.

The Fighting Begins

On April 15, 1873, a big attack started. Army troops moved forward from two different camps. One camp was Gillem's camp to the west. The other was Mason's camp, located northeast of the Stronghold.

The fighting lasted all day. The soldiers stayed in their positions through the night. On April 16, the troops tried to move forward again. Each time, the Modoc fired heavily from their hiding spots. That night, the soldiers managed to cut off the Modoc's water supply. The Modoc got their water from the shore of Tule Lake.

By the morning of April 17, everything was ready for the final attack. When the order was given, the troops charged into the Stronghold.

How the Modoc Escaped

After the fighting on April 16, the Modoc people defending the Stronghold realized something important. The Army had cut off their water supply. On April 17, before the Army charged, the Modoc found a way out. They escaped through a hidden crack in the rocks. This crack was left unguarded when the soldiers moved to new positions.

Who Fought and What Happened

The U.S. Army

Colonel Alvan C. Gillem led the entire U.S. Army force.

• Mason's Group
  • Led by Major Edwin C. Mason.
  • Included parts of the 1st U.S. Cavalry and 21st U.S. Infantry.
  • They also had a special Howitzer Battery from the 4th U.S. Artillery.
  • Warm Springs scouts helped them.

• Green's Group
  • Led by Major John Green.
  • Included parts of the 1st U.S. Cavalry, 12th U.S. Infantry, and 4th U.S. Infantry.
  • One troop of cavalry stayed behind to guard the rear.

The Modoc Warriors

The Modoc fighters were led by:

• Captain Jack
• Scarface Charley
• John Schonchin

Battle Results

During the battle from April 15 to 17, some people were hurt or killed.

• The U.S. Army lost one officer and six soldiers. Thirteen soldiers were wounded.
• For the Modoc, one boy was killed. He was trying to open a cannonball with an axe, and it exploded.
• Several Modoc women also died from sickness during this time.