Ambush at Midday - The Thomas-Wright Battle of April 26, 1873

Ambush at Midday - The Thomas-Wright Battle of April 26, 1873 (HM1NE5)

Location: , CA Siskiyou County
Buy California State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 41° 46.154', W 121° 32.368'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 618 views
Inscription

Last Victor for the Modocs

Forced to flee the stronghold, the Modoc took cover amid the craggy lava features in this area. A group under Scarface Charley watched from the Schonchin Flow as Army troops marched from Gillems Camp toward their concealed position.

Officers Thomas and Wright were leading an artillery reconnaissance patrol to Hardin Butte. The soldiers were unenthusiastic and ill-prepared for an encounter. When the patrol stopped for lunch in the depression before you, a few scouts were sent out, but most soldiers rested. Fearing discovery by this group double their size, the Modoc opened fire from high, protected places such as this outcropping. About two-thirds of the patrol was killed or wounded in the battle, the Modoc suffered no casualties.
A soldier not involved in the battle described the outcome: "At the first fire, the troops were so demoralized that the offices could do nothing with them. Wright was severely wounded ... and his company, with one or two exceptions deserted him and fled like a pack of sheep; then the slaughter began."
Scarface Charley halted the battle, showing mercy for the few surviving soldiers: "All you fellows that ain't dead had better go home. We don't want to kill you all in one day."

Last Victor for the Modoc

The Modoc way of life was inseparable from this land. When settlers moved into the area, the Modoc adopted elements of white culture and sometimes got along with those settlers who acknowledged the Modoc right to stay on their homeland. Disputes between the groups often escalated, however, leading to serious conflict and eventually war.
At the Thomas-Wright Battle, Scarface Charley's show of mercy reflected one aspect of Modoc views on the war. Many Modoc were not were not interested in indiscriminate killing, but were determined to defend their land and culture. After this battle, they were never again successful in doing so.
Details
HM NumberHM1NE5
Tags
Placed ByNational Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, August 30th, 2015 at 1:01pm PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)10T E 621395 N 4625185
Decimal Degrees41.76923333, -121.53946667
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 41° 46.154', W 121° 32.368'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds41° 46' 9.24" N, 121° 32' 22.08" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Which side of the road?Marker is on the right when traveling North
Closest Postal AddressAt or near Unnamed Road, CA , US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. Is this marker part of a series?
  2. What historical period does the marker represent?
  3. What historical place does the marker represent?
  4. What type of marker is it?
  5. What class is the marker?
  6. What style is the marker?
  7. Does the marker have a number?
  8. What year was the marker erected?
  9. This marker needs at least one picture.
  10. Area Code
  11. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  12. Is the marker in the median?