Second Battle of the Stronghold (Lava Beds)

After winning the first battle of the stronghold, the Modocs met once again with US Major General Edward Canby to ask once more for land in their traditional territory instead of being forced onto a reservation in Oregon with their traditional enemies the Klamath. When Canby refused again he was killed on April 11th and the US Army attacked the stronghold a second time. This time thier force was even greater, 675 soldiers against the Modoc's 53 warriors. The warriors held the forces off for all of April 15th and into the evening of April 16th. Finding their water supply cut off, the entire band and warriors escaped. One young Modoc boy was killed, reportedly from playing with an unexploded cannon ball, and the US forces had 7 killed and 13 wounded. Although technically a win for the American's its another inspiring fight from the Modocs and an incredibly impressive escape.