First Battle of the Stronghold (Modoc War)
Jan. 17, 1873
Modoc chief Kintpuash (better known as Captain Jack). This photo is in the public domain, as it was taken in 1864.
On this day in 1873, the second battle of the Modoc Wars was fought at Kintpuash (Captain Jack's) stronghold. Kintpuash had led 52 warriors in a band of more than 150 Modoc people away from the Klamath reservation in southern Oregon where they had been forcibly removed to, but they returned to their traditional lands, where they fought against the US Army. The Modoc knew the area well and chose the stronghold for its natural fortress-like geography.
The warriors numbered 53 (including Kintpuash) and the US Army attacked with 400 men and howitzers. The US Army got into position on either side of the lava bed fortress and attacked in the early morning of January 17th. A thick fog helped protect the Modoc warriors. Throughout the day, the Army attempted to advance from both sides through the difficult terrain and were picked off by Modoc warriors. At 5 pm, Colonel Wheaton realized he had failed to capture the Stronghold, and signaled Green and Bernard to retreat. The forces withdrew to their camps, a process that was not completed until after nightfall on January 18th. The US soldiers the Modoc had killed were left on the battlefield, which provided the Modoc with additional rifles and ammunition.
The US lost 37 men killed or wounded; the Modoc suffered no casualties. Given the fog and rock cover, no Army survivors reported even having seen a Modoc during the battle. The Modoc's spiritual leader, Curley Headed Doctor, took credit for raising the fog through his rituals.
The warriors numbered 53 (including Kintpuash) and the US Army attacked with 400 men and howitzers. The US Army got into position on either side of the lava bed fortress and attacked in the early morning of January 17th. A thick fog helped protect the Modoc warriors. Throughout the day, the Army attempted to advance from both sides through the difficult terrain and were picked off by Modoc warriors. At 5 pm, Colonel Wheaton realized he had failed to capture the Stronghold, and signaled Green and Bernard to retreat. The forces withdrew to their camps, a process that was not completed until after nightfall on January 18th. The US soldiers the Modoc had killed were left on the battlefield, which provided the Modoc with additional rifles and ammunition.
The US lost 37 men killed or wounded; the Modoc suffered no casualties. Given the fog and rock cover, no Army survivors reported even having seen a Modoc during the battle. The Modoc's spiritual leader, Curley Headed Doctor, took credit for raising the fog through his rituals.