The New York Herald Newspaper, December 29, 1872, Page 10

8 “THE MODOC WAR. A Perilous Visit to the Camp of the Redskins. ene Spee me & Big Talk with Captain Jack, Old Scar-Yaced Charley, Black Jim and Bogus Charley. PREM aptain Jack’s Complaints and His Peace Offerings. Worrespondence of the San Francisco Ohrenicie.) Camp PASRCHILD, HOT CREBK, Dee. 13, 1872, ‘The din of preparation is stl going on, and Cap- Jain Fairchild is resolved upon Maving nothing un- done toward putting the camp in a defensible con- ait ‘The day before the Chrontcle’s expedition reached here Fairohild’s wife and children were vent in to Yreka for safety, and seon after the work of Jortifying began. We are mow all ready for the savages, and should they come they will meet with 4 warm reception, Fairchild’s account of his visit to Captain Jaok’s camp is quite ‘thrill- img. He and P, A: Dorris, proprietor of a cattle tanch three mes below here, “Nate”’ Beswick and James Murrayset out last Sunday morning to visit the-old chicf.and see what could be done to pre- vent further hostilities. They were accompanied by “Frank”? and ‘‘Tom,” ‘two Modec Indians, of the Hot Creek ‘ranch of ihe tribe, and two othera, who rejoice not in Anglo-Saxen names, The party ‘hus numbered cight. They were all well mounted, and armed with rifies and revolvers. They had but twenty mites to go. THE INDIAN CAMP. Betore-noon they were in sight of the lava beds, tm which Captain-Jack has hiscamp, The Indian camp istocated on the edge of Tule Lake, on the side of a rocky#lope, running down from what is known as Van Bremer’s Hill, The-country is the ruggedest perhaps in California. Jt is of peculiar formation, beiag evidently the result of some great volcanic convulsion. As Fairchild expresses it, it +ooks for miles around as though the whole earth’s suriace had sen blown in the air.a thousand feet and'then came down, resting as it fell. It contains an-area of about ten miles square. and abounds in deep fissures, guiches and caves, all in the solid tock, There is nocarth at all, but the whole isa mass of fimty lava, like clinker that is formed from the remains of hard coal. J'he guiches range ‘WRW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 187%—YRIPLE SHERT. need fee) no uneasiness. Fairchift then asked what he meant by murdering the ofstzens on Tule Lake, Jack replied that Le bad nothing to do with that; that when he found out that Black Jim’s sand had been committing murders he stopped it at once. “You haven’ ard of any murders lately, have you ?” asked Captain Jack. “No,” satd Fairchild. “Weil, you won’t hear of any more; I'm only Gghting soidiers now.” CAPTAIN JACK’S TERMS, Im reply to @ question as to what terms he wanted, Jack replicd, “Well, I want the soldiers to go back to their camp at Fort Kiamati and let ne ge back to tne north of Lest River and stay there, f tacy wilt do that I will svep fighting and make Ace. : Charley here spoke up and said that Frank ‘was not interpreting right, and that he would do it. Jack censented, and, as Bogus speaks perfect Hnglish, there was no further trouble, Fairchild then asked Jack to tell him just how the trouble began and all about it. Jack, therefore, went into a his- tory of the affair, and made statements which put a new light on the cause of the troubles. He satd that for more than a year past certain persons about Lost River—mentioning Ivan Applegate, Bob Small and others interested in land tiere— have been making efforts to force the Modocs, upon the reservation against their will, The In- Glane did not want to go. They occupied a splendid tract ef country, abounding in fish and game and cntirey free trom snow and ice the year round, and aki not want to ieave it, APPLEGATE'S GOVERNMENT CONTRACT. Bus Applegate, who is Commiasary for the Reser- vation, was determined to take them there, aa Oaptain Jack says, so that he might have more mouths to feed ‘and thus increase the amount of the government contract. Jack is a surewd old Indian, and when be says this probably hits the nail square on ‘the head, Applegate, Dyer and ethers cone with the reservation kept their efforts for @ long time, and finally, throug! Odeneal, ‘intendent oi Indian Affairs, secured the order which has culminated in the disturbance. Jack told Fairehitd ‘that he and his braves would die before they would go-to the reservation and be starved to death, ‘(hey went on tue reservation once three years ago,.and this is the way Jack says they were treatea it, they were not taken anti! Fall, and before going their Winter stock of pro 8 Was destroyed, THR RESERVATION, ‘The reservation is in Oregon, where the snow lies all Winter long and the weather is intensely cold. When they got there all they were given to keep them warm, was half of an army blanket—the whole blanket being cut in two, and made to serve two Inaians. They were promised plenty of bread gnd-meat, but instead were fed all Winter on musty barley and semi-putrid beef, Jack says he and his band stood this treatment until the snows melted, and then, one morning, they and their squaws and children leit the reservation and went back to their fishing ground on Lost River, where they have re- mained ever since, Jack says rather than endure this treatment he and ail his warriors have made up their to die. Fairchild then asked Jack how the fight began on ‘Thanksgiving Day. He said he and the other Indi- ans were asleep in their huts when tne soldiers came prea them. He hardly remembered what he had said or done, for all were greatiy excited. He remembers, however, four soldiers trying to take the gun away from Scar-taced Charley. THE FIRST SHOT. Jack does not know who fired first, but thinks it was one of the soldiers, Jack laughs at the fight made by the soldiers, and says that in his lava bed he can whip a thousand such troops, from a few feet to a hundred feet in width. and @any are one hundred feet in depth. The Indians tan stand on the buffs and see men approach from -a distance of five miles without being seen them- selves. The only means of travel through this mass of lava is by the narrow:cattle trail, ss intri- cate in its windings and subject at all points to attack from behind the huge boulders and piles of ranite. The Indians can trave! all througn this va country by trails known only to themselves, and stand op biails over persons one hundred feet beneath, where it would require a long Journey to go to them. THE MODOCS’ OUTPOST, When Fairchild’s party reached the topof Van #remer’s Ilill they were seen by the Idians, who, aot then knowing the character of the party made reparations to receive them with a warfbth of eling characteristic of the Modocs, Arriving at e cdge of the lava bed Fairchild sent Indian Frank,’ who is @ desperate warrior, ahead in the frail to see Captain Jack. Frank was then qriendly, though he with others at Hot Creek has pince left and joined the hostile band. Frank ‘wes ahead with Tom the other Indian, and kept head of the ‘ty three or four hundred yards, Fairania and his men rode in ajngie file, with od rifies and with uerves set on edge. They ew they were within @ quarter ofa mile of the ‘Modoc camp, and krew that their only cone ay the fait ness of their Indian allies. ey wound their way through the lava piled up on sither side for more than an hour, when all at pace Frank came riding rapidiy back and -#oid them to halt. He had come upon the Indians, and would try and arrange an interview with Cap- 4ain Jack. If he was unsuccessful he would dis- sharge his rife, as if done by accident, and they must ride back over the trail for their lives, INDIAN TREACHERY FRARED. Frank then went ahead again, and Fairchild and pode d secreted themselves behind some rocks to await the result of their Indian’s diplomacy. The; had not long to wait. Frank came ‘k in tweaty minutes and said he had seen Captain Jack and Bear-faced Charley, who were willing to have a “big talk” with the white man. rehild, now that the thing was upon him, was seized with a sudden distrast of Frank. He thought the inter- ‘view was too easily arranged—that Jack was too -wrilling to talk. He was fearful that treachery was at work, and for a moment all four men hesitated ut putting themselves in the Modocs’ power. lowever it was almost too late to back out, and they conctuded to go ahead. Before going, how- ever, Fairchild sent Frank ahead again with a mes- wage to Cal Jack, saying that he (Fairchild) had nt Jour men and that he did not care to meet more ‘than that number of Indians, and that he would «meet them either armed or unarmed, as Captain Jack pleased. IN PRESENCE OF THE MODOCS. Frank departed on this errand, and was met on “the way by one of Captain Jack’s warriors—Iindian Geerge—who bore the me back to the old shief. Ina few moments word came back that it should beas Fairchild requested, the messenger at the same time urging the party to come ahead, Thas reassured Fairchild decided to go on. It was now nearly noon. The party rode ahead, Indian fashion, and in a few minutes came to the brow of abill, from whence they could look down into a marrow ravine, at the mouth of which they saw a terge, group of Indians sitting on the ground. id was now almost sure that he had been made the victim of treachery. He had agreed to meet Captain Jack and three others, and here was the whole Modoc tribe waiting to receive him. However he rode on, determined to brave it now erdie. The Indians, about fity in number, sat at ‘the mouth of the ravine on piles of rocks, calmly Waiting his arrival, They were all armed to the ‘teeth and looked as desperate as hungry wolves. ‘They were all painted in the most hideous fashion and were «dressed in rags and patches of blankets. THE BRAVE FRONTIERSMAN WAVERS. Fairchild’s party rode up to within fifty | epee and then the brave fronticrsman wavered. He Shought the look of the savages boded no good. They were too quiet, teo sullen-looking, to be friendly or want to talk. ‘the Indian George, who el beside Jack, noticed the white’s hesitation, and called out in English, “Come on; it’s all right!’ Fairchild’s men rode up and then dis- mounted. The Indians sat on a small ledge of rooke, a few yards from the trail. They had tormed a circie, with Jack and Bogus Chariey and several other chiefs in the background. To get at Jack Pairehild and Dorris had te go within the cireie. This was the most trying moment; for once within the circle, away from their horses, there was no escape. What seemed particniarly ominous, Fair- Saya, Was the silence of the savages. Nota word was spoken; they did mot salute him nor give the slightest indication even that they were ware of bis presence. But all had their guns cocked, and their faces were clouded and sullen, SHAKING HANDS WITH THE CHIEFS. Fairchild knew Captain Jack well, and at once approache: “How do you do, Jack?’ be said, ex- | tending his hand. The old chief wore his best silk bat and had on a grayish coat. He never raised | hie eyes or Sere countenance, but simply al- lowed his hand to be shaken. Fairchiid then spoke to Bogus Charley, who was quite polite. He bowed and smiled and shook hands, but did not speak. Sear-faced Chariey, the most desperate old warrior of the band, sat on a rock a little higher up than the others, and Fairchild had to climb up to get } dim. The old brave was very sullen and would rot speak a word, though he took Fairchild’s hand and shook it. The latter then approached Biack Jim; but this Ine would not sotice him at all. He would not look up, shake bands or pay whe slight- est heed to Fairchild. FIRST WORD SPOKEN. This nettled the latter a little, and he spoke out awck and sharp, hat’s the matter with you, eh?” “Wounded,” eaid Bogus Charley. Fairchild looked and then saw that Black dim had his hand ina sling. “Wounaed |” was the first word spoken | Bumbers sixty men, all recruited in Jacksonville, by any of the Indians. Fairchild did not know what to make of this ominous silence, and for time it made him quite nervous. Kvery once ina white be would hear the click of a gun-lock, and there seemed to be a desire on the part of the In- diane to get behind him, They kept moving abont and shifting position constantly, ard upon the whole the white men were completely befogged as to the real disposition of the band toward them. Having finished hand-shaking all round Fairchild said Lo Frank, who was going to act as inter- ‘ell Captain.Jack that we have come here ¥ © big talk witt.him, and learn upon what frase. he will make-terms.”’ Frank exchanged a few words in Modoc with Jack andthen said to Fairchild, ‘No ready to talk yet, Keep stil a while.” child then sat down | a little cl ined and a good deal uneasy. He sat ther iymalfat hour before another word was mpok then Scar-taced Chariey, Bogus Charley and the Doctor came down from the rocks and Mok seats near him. as THE BIO TALK. $ # few moments Captain Jack motioned to Frank 10 core to him, and then the conversation began, Captain Jack asked Fairchild what he wanted to ey: Fairchild rephed tuat he had come to ask if the Indians would not go on the reserva- tion without further trouble. Captain Jack romply replied that he would net; that war had Been menced against them without provocation, and they were now going to fight it out. He was waly going W Dght soldiers, howeyer, aud Pau cuid He says they were clean whipped out, and leit the feld in ries harry long Petore the Indtans did, Jack says he lost one Indian killed and had five wounded, He brought all his squaws and children from the camp except two, one of them refusing to go, having had both her children killed by the white man Small. Jack is very bitter against Small, and Jolly confirms his statement concerning the killing of the children. It seems to have been a cruel, wanton piece of bratality, unworthy the age of civilization, and one for which Small should pe tried for his life. The feeling of indignation against him is bitter here, and] have heard a dozen men say that it the Indians snould kill Small now they would not feel a single pang of regret. A NIGHT IN THE INDIAN CAMP. Fairchild continued the conversaiion with Cap- tain Jack for upward of an hour and then made a movement to go, This the old Chief would not lis- ten to, He said he wanted another “big talk” the next day, and therefore he hoped Fairchild’s party would camp for the night and go home the next day. Fairchild consented to do so, and Bogus Charley showed him a place in a little ravine where there was water, Here Fairehild made his camp, | and the Indians retired to their camp behind some Tocks four or five hundred yards distant. Fairchild ‘Was not permitted to see their camp, bat he thinks it was in an absolutely impregnable position. Next morning at nine o’clock the Indians came out and met the Fairchild party atthe same place as the day before. This tine Captain Jack said he wanted “a great big talk,” meaning thereby a tremendous powwow. Bat there was bat little more to be said, and since Jack would not go to the reservation or make peace upon any terms that the whites could consent to, Fairchild did not care to prolong the conversation, THE MASSACRS OF THE SETTLERS, He asked Jack, though, for more information con- cerning the massacre of settlers, but the Indian did not want to talk'on that subject. He asked him about Henry Miller, about whose fate there had been some doubt. Jack simply replied that Miller was dead and then changed the subject. What the old Indian wanted was for Fairchild to go to the troops and get them to consent to his terms of peace. Faireniia romised to go and see Major Greene, though he p! told Captain Jack that it would do no good. Jack then wanted him to write a certificate of good character for him, stating among other things that he (Fairchild) had the Modoc camp and came away unmo- lested; but this was refused, to Captain Jack’s dis- gust. Fairchild bay though, he would have given the paper if Jack had insisted—indeed, he would not have dared to do anything else. THREE TARGETS FOR INDIAN RIFLES, ‘The morning talk amounted to no more than the day before, and after awhile the Fairchild part got up their horses and prepared to leave. Jac! Said he was sorry he was at war, but he again an- nounced that he made no war on the citizens, ‘There were only three men whem he did not want to meet. They were Denis Crowley, a man who, it appears, troubled the Indians a good deal at Lost River, and who has been loudest ln complaint of them at the Indian agency; Bob Small, who murdered the two little papooses and boasts of the deed, and @ man named Monroe, against whom they have some otner grievance. Jack says if he meets any of these men he will shoot them down without hesitation. He told Fairchiid, though, that he should not be injured in any way. THE DEPARTURE, Fairchild and his party then shook hands all around, and, bidding the Indians farewell, all arted. Sending two of his party, with four indian guides, back to his camp, he rode on with Mr. Dorris to the military headquarters to an- nounce the result of his interview. He told Major Greene what Jack had said, but of course Jack's terms could not be considered. The only terms upon which the military will receive Jack’s sur- render are :—First, a fyll surrender of the entire band at the reservation and the pointing out of the Indians who did the bute! ing after the battle, Fairchild says the military are determined 10 root out the Modocs if it taker Winter, but he anticipates that they will meet with much diMculty. Jack now has forty-five warriors, any one of whom are Cee to a dozen soldiers, and, in their natur- iy {mpregnable position, they are equal to aa rink! more. But Major Green is very bloodthirsty and feels quite competent to deal with the Indians as soon as he gets good and ready. SHACK NASTY JIM’S FLIGHT. Fairchild and Dorris returned to the camp on Tuesday night, and next morning when they awoke they found that Shack Nasty Jim, with his whole band, including ‘‘Framk” and two other Indians who had gone to Jack’s camp with them, had all flown from their rancheria and gone to join the enemy. Their fight was doubtiess hastened by the arrival of an army wagon come fo take them to the reservation at Yainox. These Indians all seem to detest that place, and I am inclined to believe that there is some truth im Jack’s story about their ill-treatment three years ago. Fairchild says he has the most impitelt faith in what Jack says about it. The Chronicle's expedition will go to-morrow to Ca tain Kelly’s camp on Bremer’s Hill, which is in sight of Captain Jack’s lair in the lavabea. Our discomforts are many, but there is no way of get- ting news except by pushing as near the enemy as possible. Si thgiate d is dificult, there being noth- ing but trails,and the extent of country le so great that itis hard for @ correspondent to cover all the points, Amother Letter. VAN BREMER’S HILL, HEADQUARTERS OREGON MILITIA, Dee. 14, 1872. The Chronicle News Expedition, consisting of E. | H. Antenreith, of Yreka, and the special cor- respondent, rode over to the camp of General Ross, of the Oregon Militia, this morning. This battalion and is composed of the best specimens of frontiers- men in the State, The command is ip charge of Brigadior General Ross, of the Oregon State Militia, whese immediate subordinate is Captain Hugh Kelly, editor of the Oregon Sentinel, anda man who has pluck and daring stamped on every feature. These troops pretend to be co-operating with the army people, though their disgust at the apathy of the latter is entirely unconcealed. Major Green is still encamped with 176 regulars at the mouth of Lost River. It is said that he is making the most “active preparations for an immediate march upon the enemy.’’ Exactly so, Eber Ball, an old ranchman in this vicinity, gave me ap ere to-day of what these preparations are e. HONOR AMONG THE MODOCS. For two years or more he las had a cattle ranch within a stone’s throw of Captain Jac old camp at the mouth of Lost River. All this time he has been on friendly terms with the Modocs, and has had no diMculty whatever with them. Business | rovisions, all his blankets and bedding, and in ahort cer actean sweep. Mr. Ball is, of course, anxious to have the hostile Indians exterminated, but he likewise remarks, em passant, that he wishes some one would come along and exter- minate the soldiers as well. MAJOR GREEN’S PLAN OP CAMPAIGN. We have received word that Major Green con- templates to move in this direction at nine o’clock to-night. Strange te say, the Vancouver troops, which left ten days ago for the scene of war, have not yet arrived. They were at Jacksonville five days ago, aud, as itis only 100 miles over here by that route, they should have been at Lost River two days ago. Military bodies, however, move very slowly. The road from Major Green’s camp to this place is open, and the distance is lews than twenty miles, can come twelve miles of the. way by wagon, thus securing regular transporte. tion for his supplies, Tne rest of the distam%e over Van Bremer’s Hill he will have to send Sup- plies by Po animals. Lunderstand the plan is to surround Captdin Jack and starve him out, Both of these propositions will be diMcult to put in force. In the first , jor Green has not force enough to sarround one-haif of the lava bed, and, it he could even, Jack is too well supplied with pro- visions to be starved ont in anything like the time counved upon as necessary to do It. . ‘THE INDIANS WELL SUPPLIED. It must be remembered that when on their raid the Indians 1 aint alithe Winter supplies of the settlers they murdered, amounting to several ‘thousand pounds of provisions, and in addition to this they had access to hundreds of cattle which are runuing wild on the outskirts of the lava bed. ‘Then, too, the laxe, which is alive with fish, is right in their front, and they cannot be cut off from it. A snow storm, for which Major Green is praying, may aid him; but even this must not be aepenaed upon, The lava country is known to be directly over or adjacent to an extinct volcano, and the earth thereabouts is many degrees warmer than the land around it. Snows have never been known to lie there longer than twenty-four hours, and oftentimes they melt as they fall, while on the hill- sides near by and on the land not of lava forma- tion they lie for weeks, So it willbe seen that snow is not likely to interfere with Jack much, and it may tncommode Major Green a good deal, MARKMANSHIP EXTRAORDINARY. ‘The only way to disiedge these Indians ts to fignt them ten to one and go into the battle with the expectation of losing a number of men. That cannot well be avoided, Jack has some warriors who are desperate fighters and are the best shots in this section of the country. Old Scar-faced Charley is said to be equal to fifty mem himself. ils wonderful exploit at the fight on Lost River fully proves this. More than iifty shots were fired at him as he retreated, but he did not even get scratch, When the firing first began the four soldiers who were trying to disarm him fired at him at twenty paces, but not one of them hit him, The old warrior fired and at the first shot killed Private Thomas Harris; then beginming the most astonishing series of Indian somersaults and acro- batic feats he retreated toward the water, at the same time loading his gun. Volley after volley were fired after him, but so quick and lightning- like were his gyrations that not a soldier could get accurate aim. Every once in @ while, when he got his gun loaded, he would turn a back somer- sault and shoot from under his leg as he turned, and, strange tosay, he never missed. Although he Nad nearly fifty yards to retreat before he reached the water, he fired four times, killing one man and wounding three. Reaching the river bank he plunged in and swam to the otner side; | and though the bullets few after him thick and fast he never received a scratch, TAR OTHER BRAVES. Scar-face is a different looking Indian from any of the others, and this has given rise to the belief that he is not a Modoc but a Rogue River Indian, He is tall, thin and wiry and is as quick as light- ning in al) nis movements. He is looked upon by all the settlers here as the bravest and-most danger- ous Indian in the tribe. He and Captain Jack are about the same age, both being in the neighbor- hood of forty. Jack is a low-sized man, but is very dignified in his manners. When drunk, as he is very often, he is morose and quarrelsome, but at other times he is harmless. He is said to be very honorable in all his dealings with the whites, and has Hebe been noted jor truthfulness. Bogus Charley is the most civilized of any of the tribe. He has been associated with the whites all his life, speaks English thoroughly and gete drunk as naturally as a@ politician, He is a good-natured Indian, and is believed to be the least dangerous of Captain Jack’s men because of his favorable regard for white men. It is believed that he did not want to goto war atall. Black Jim, Dave and Shack Nasty Jim, the other principal braves, are despe- rate warriors and are all ready to fight heavy odds. ‘They have allhad more or less to do with white people and are fully acquainted with the mode of warfare common among us. A REVOLUTION IN INDIAN WARFARE. Mr. Fairchild informed me that.about a year ago, as is their custom, the Modoos had a grand feast and a series of dances. ay improved this oppor- tunity to get all the small bands together, with their chieis, and hold a kind of convention, to re- vise many of their laws ana usages of warfare. Among others, after several days’ debate and “big talk,” they resolved to abolish scafping and all manner of mutilation of the bodies of their vic- tims, They alse resolved to abstain from making war on women and children, and to this circum- stance may be attributed the fact that in no in- stance in their recent raid did they molest the families of ranchmen whom they murdered. They algo resolved to wear American clotnes and to open @ system of barter and exchange for whatever commodity they might need. Many of their bar- barous customs, too, were abolished altogether. One of their curious usages was, that whenever a child was born the happy father had to go out and Pile stones in different places for threo days and nights, He was to work continuously, without sleep or food. The object of this was to attract the attention of the Evil Spirit away from the mother and child during the critical period after birth. THE PIL-PIL DANCE. Another custom was called the Pil-pil dance, and this was simply horrible. At the time when the ‘oung Indian maidens were ushered into woman- ood they were obliged to dance for three succes- sive days and nights, without food, sleep or rest, or until they felldown from sheer exhaustion, which they nearly always did, of course. All the old aquaws and mothers in the camp would form them- selves intoa ring. ‘The men would be sent away out of ht, and then the young girl, Stripped to the wi would be led im for the dance. The hor- rible music would strike up and the orgies begin. Many oi the girls, Tam told, would dance the allotted time without once stopping to rest, but oftener they Rave out alter the first twenty-four hours, Both these customs were abolished by the Conven- tion and are now seen no more. THE GARRISON AT FORT KLAMATH. Fort Klamath is almost deserted, the troops all being with Major Greene. The post is in charge of Lieutenant Robert Pollock, Quartermaster United States Army, who is well known in San Francisco. He has fifteen men with him, but these comprise the entire garrison. The triendly Klamath Ind‘ans, who were at first made use of in the pursuit of the Modocs, have all been sent back to the reserva- tion, and twenty of their number regular! rolled as scouts, to act under charge of Mr. Indian Agent. Just what they expect to accom- plish does not now appear, for it is well known where Jack is, and there are parties here who can lead Major Greene direct to his camp whenever he chooses to go. MAJOR JACKSON'S REPORT. I have obtained a copy of Major Jackson’s report of the battle at Lost Kiver. It will be seen that the Major's estimate of Indians killed and wounded 1s. hardiy borne out by the facts. The Major says:— yer, Cro} I jumped the camp of yesterday morning, soon prising them. 1 demanded the wurrénder of Captain jack, Sear-faced Oharley, Black Jim and others, and di. Tected them to lay down their arma They refused, and fired upon us. We took their camp and drove them to the brush, killing eight of nine of them, The fight lastea about half an hour. One citizen was killed in the fight, and two others were murdered along the road while coming along unconscious of any trouble. Citizens killed—John Thurber and Wedelin Nuss. Wounded—Joe Penning. Soldiers killed—Private James Harris, Wounded— Corporal Thomas Pitzgerald, severely ; Corporal A. W. Chali tes J. D. Totten, Frank Kasschafer, severely j jaw, David’ Callagher, severely ; John PD ‘oop B, First United States cav- alry. oyle—all of INDIGNATION AMONG THE RANCHMEN. There is great indignation here among the ranch- men that earlier notice was not sent the settlers on Tule Lake of the contemplated raid upon the Indians. It is claimed that had this been done the lives of al} those murdered might have been saved, ‘The whole t seems to have been mismanaged throughout. ‘ne Indian Agency men, Appleton frequently called him to other parts of the county, at which times he invariably left his log catin with all Lis supplfes unprotected even by lock and key. He pt yet missed a thing; on the contrary, a Jack a d Charley made tt a point to jook ont tor his propert and protect it from molestation py other Indians, Ball left his ranch a few days after the massacre, and now he has received woxd that the soldiers have literally gouge through jt Tpey wok his entire stock of and Dyer, kept all their plans secret. They tried first to get the Indians on the reservation in a most bungiing manner; then, failing In that, they iovoked, through Odeneal, the ald of the military to enforce the order. Al! this was kept secret, and the result of ai) was that the poor setulers on Tule Lake were in biissfui ignorance that war was going to be made on the Modocs. They knew the latter would fight, and they Knew also that in case they did they would be completely at Captain Jack’s mercy. Yet notwithstanding this the attack was made, and in twenty-four hours the settlers were corpses by the roadsid claimed now that a man named Crowley—Denis Crowley—was sent to notify the families before the troops came down from Fort Klamath, but this is untrue, did not start on hi ft Beka until every settler on that side of the lake bad been murder The bodies of all the mur- dered (thirteen in number) have now been found, Captain Kelly’s company having found that of Henry Miller, the last one killed, They have ali been interred at Link River. THE SADDEST RPISODE. One of them, Richard Cravigan, who was killed on the Boady place, had beem married buta few weeks. Me Was shot down in the presence of is ‘young wife, who was told to make the best of her way to Linkville, or she would be treated in the same way. The poor woman, who is not over nineteen years old by the way, fled to the woods, and that night travelled eight miles to the mouth of Lost River, where she was rescued by a party sent out to look for bodies. The Crronicle expedition will remain here for a day or two. Frem the top of the hill, one mile distant, Captain Jack’s lava bed is in plain sight, and if any military movement is made it must be from this direction. There Js, therefore, no use going up to the military camp, ‘The trai is very dangerous, and umless ac- companicd by a large escort the trip would be haz- ardous. (Phe Later Intelligence, YREKA, Dee, 19, 1872, George Flock bas just arrtved from Linkvillte, having lest there, vesteyday mooring. Me report no farther depredations by ¢pe Indiane, and not any attack upon them a# 9g, : ‘The two companics 07 tne Twonty-firet infantry from Vancouver @rTl\ vege Linkvillo on the 17th. One company Of ‘eavatry from Camp Bidwell ar- rived there 20 ae Agth. ‘They were waiting for peat Caneel te move toward Captain Jack's “ain Perry’s company of cavalry, forty men, ar@ gtattened at Van Bremer’s. Golonet Koss) caV.smaad of Oregon volunteers is at Small’s A d?tachenent from both companies made & re- CODY .cissance of tain Jack’s ‘ition on the 16%, approaching within a mile, They think now Waey can surround him in such force, when the other troops arrive, as to either force him to sur- render or clean him out. Ontonel Stone, quartermaster, purchased twenty- five pack mules here yesterday, which will leave in the morning for the headquarters at Linkville. The weather is very but clear and favorable for military operations. The Canse and Commencement of the Trouble. [From the Oregon Statesman, Dec, 14.) On the 14th day of October, 1864, @ treaty was made and concluded at Kiamath Lake, Oregon, between J. W. P. Huntington and William Logan, Commissioners, on the part of the United States, and the chiefsand head men of the Modoc and Klamath tribes of Indians, by the terms of which sald tribes ceded to the United States all their right, title and clatm to all that country which Captain Jack’s band of Modocs now claim, and agree to re- move to and reside upon what is known a# Klamath Reservation. ‘The ratification of this treaty was advised, with amendments, by the Senate of the United States, July 2, 1866, The amendments were assented to by the Indians on the 10th of December, 1869, and prociaimed by the President February 17, 1870. {nm accordance with the terms of the treaty more than half of the Modocs, under the head chief, Scon-chin, are now and have for @ long time been on the reserva- under the leadership of Captain Jack, Black Jim and Scar-faced Charley, THREE RECK. LAWLESS DBSPERADOES, government to go upon the reservation, and, with he exception of a brief space of time during one Winter, when they went to the reservation to be fed unth Spring, they have continued to roam over the country at pleasure, levying blackmail upon settlers whenever it suited their convenience todo so—demanding flour, beef, &c.,as rent for what they called their Jands. Settlers were compelled to bear their insolence and submit to nearly ail their demands, These acts becoming unbearable, it was determined by the government that their insubordination, lawlessness and defiance should no longer be tolerated. fecorsingy. upon the re- commendation ef Colonel Elmer Otis, [van D. Ap- plegate, Agent L, S. Dyer, Mr. Odeneafand others, the Comm joner Of Indian Affairs, in a letter dated the 6th of July last, authorized the Superin- tendent te cause Captain Jack’s band of Modocsa to be removed to Klamath Reservation—peaceably if he could, but forcibly if he must, ‘THE INDIANS REJECT ALL OVERTURES. On the 24th of November the Superintendent gent I. D. Appieaeve and James Brown to the camp of the Modocs, on Lost River, with a message to the head men, requesting them to meet him at Link River.on the 28th. The Superintendent went to the appoints place, but the Indians did not appear. The messengers returned and reported that they had used every argument in their power to induce the chiefs to meet the Superintendent, or, ifthey would not do this, that they go peace- ably to the reservation, and he would see them there. Captain Jack stated positively that he would not go to the reservation ; it he did not wish to see or talk with the Superintendent; that he wanted no white man to tel! him what to do; that his friends and counsellors were men in Yreka City; that he was advised by them to stay where he was, and he intended to do so, and closed the Ke hethccielt by saying that he was “done with alking. Knowing that these Indians meant what they said, the Superintendent transferred the execution of the order of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs tothe Military Department, with the request that no blood should be shed if it were possibie to avoid it, and that not a gun should be fired uniess the Indians should first tire upon the soldiers, Captain Jackson, in command of the troops, leit Fort Kla- math at noon on the 28th, and, marching until seven o'clock the following morning, arrived at the camp of the Modocs. He at once called upon the ea men to come out of the tents and talk with im. THE CONFERENCE. Only one chief—Scar-faced Cnarley, who speaks English—made his appearance. Captain Jackson assured him he did not come te fight or harm them, but desired they should go upon the reservation peaceably; that ample provisions had been made for their comfortable subsistence at Camp Yainax, and that they should be fully protected in all their rights if they would £0. After talking for half an hour Scar-faced Charl ey said they would not go to the reservation; tha! talking on that subject was useless—about the same time, remarking that he ‘would kill one officer,” he raised his gun and fired at Lieutenant Boutelle, shooting feur holes through his coat- sleeve, A GENERAL FIGHT, Captain Jackson shot at Charley, and a general fight then iolowed, the results of which are known. There were two rapes of the Indians, haifa mile apart, one on the nerth and the other on the south wide of the river. The cavalry fought those on the south side, where it was estimated there were be- tween thirty and forty warriors, while some twelve or fifteen citizens engaged those on the north side, numbering fiiteen or twenty warriors. After the Indians had all escaped from their camps on the south side the cavalry marched up the river some four miles, crossed over and went to a point oppo- site the’ battle-ground, where they were still camped at latest accounts. TUE SETTLERS WARNED OF DANGER, Upon the receipt of the letter of Major Green to Mr. Odeneal, at Pink River, at five o’ciock P, M. on the 28th, stating that the troops were moving towards the camp of the Modocs and would arrive there by aanligns tne following morsing, Messen- ger Brown and another man were started at once to inform settlers of their coming. Thay notlded several persous, and they (six im number) con- at the house of Dennis Crawley, which ‘ards of the Modoc camps, at ball- ast twelve o'clock that night. The Bo x itving three miles from the piace last named, were not notified, and the men were killed while the bat- te was going on by five Indians, who left the camp probably for that purpose, OTHER MURDERS BY THE INDIANS, Miller and two others reported killed lived ten miles below, and the Brotherton family, Mwin, some fourteen miles below, and who were kille the day alter the battle, had ovidentiy heard nothing of the trouble. Mr. Brown says he knew nothing of any settlers living below where he and the otner six men were, or he would bave taken measures to serie them of the danger. He says it would have been an easy matter to inform tne Boddy family ; that one of them could have notified Miller and the others reported killed, and one of their number could have informed the Brotherton family ; that all this could have been done, and the settiers could have got together and prepared for 3 ' delen“ing themselves before tha battle took place. Mr. Edward Payne, who was present when the Superintendent gave directions in regard to wara- ing settlers, informs us that it was the understand. ing that all settlers were to be notitled, so far as it ‘was possible to do #0, by the time the soldiers should arrive. WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. The number of Indians killed is estimated at from nine toeighteen. It was the opinion of most of those in the battle, as well as that of Major Jack- son, that if he had had tem more men, whom he could have stationed on the north side of the river, to operate against those whom he was attacking, he could have ended the war in that one engage- ment. FORCES NOW IN THE PIKLD. The force now in the field consists of about one hundred and fifty cavalry, sixty volunteers and twenty or thirty Klamath Indtans, besides some in- fantry. When these forces shall get ready to move, if they can find the Indians he haw ina they will put @ final end to the difficulty, and suc! meusures will be adopted as will insure peace and quiet to the settlers in that country. THE APACHE WAR The Indians Attack a Transportation Train. SAN Dredo, Dec. 18, 1872 Information received to-day by letter from Arizona City conveys the intelligence of an attack made by Apaches upon the team of Burkhardt & Fredley, of this city, engaged in. transporting merchandise from Colorado River to Tucson. The following is the text of the letter:— ARIZONA Crvy, Dec. 15, 1872, Iam justin receipt of a letter irom J. KR. Whit tler, which trings bad news. On the morning of the 13th inst., about ten o'clock, as Fredley was roing from the bottom to the Mesa, in the canyon Between Berke Station and Oatman Fiat, the In- diang attacked him, took all of the mules and came very near getting him and Bryson. Bryson was shot several times, but only one of ! the wounds 16 serious. That one isin the upper iP part of the hip. The shot went through one and lodged in the other. The ball is not yet ex- tracted. I sa Bryson in by Tuesday night’s stage. I am informed that six of the mules re- turned on the evening of the nextday, the 14th inst. Colonel Woolsey, with all the men he could raise, started out in hot pursuit of the Indians. Frediey is with him. speed them, and may they overtake the red devils and deal them justice. ‘The Indians cut the harness to pieces and destroyed a considerable amount of freight. Oatman Fiat is six miles beyond Perk’s Station nd about seventy miles this side of Maricopa Wella. It ia named after the Oatman family, sev- eral years ago murdered in it by Apaches, Until recently the place has been considered secure from their predatory raids. Six months ago a fo. of stock belonging to ay of Mexicans was ron off, and now comes this at tack, which indicates that the Apaches are on the Warpath in that section, tion; but a band, numberimg some ‘two hundred,” have persistently refused to obey the orders of the: WINTER BEAUTIES. iepeereapeies The Liveliest Day of the Season. ——.__--— CLEARING THE SNOW-BOUND STREETS, The Italian Brigade Walking Down Broadway. Statue of the Venus De Medicis Carved in Snow. A Great Rush of the Park. oO BRILLIANT SCENE ON THE AVENUE. Sleighs to Yesterday was par excellence the great day of the lively Winter season of 1872, now within so short a time of drawing its last breath. There was plenty of work still to be done on the streets, and though no such sight was seen as marked the morning of the day previous, when every able-bodied man and boy flourished @ shovel, still there was a pretty re- spectable army working away at the pestilential ice that clung to the sidewalks and at the snow that yet cumbered fhe curbstones. This alone made a street like Broadway wear a more than usually Dusy appearance. The saddle colored natives of Italy, over four hundred in number, were seattered along the centre of the great thorough- fare helping to cart away the unsightly mountains of snow banked along either side of the street. ‘They jabbered incessantly, but they worked well and deserved their wages. Providentially none of them were ran over by the passing stages, for the Teason, it is to be presumed, that the stages were unable to run and had to be content with a gait little faster than a walk. Then yesterday was brilliant, from @ weather pomt of view. Nor was the noreaster bitter as on the day previous. In truth it was nowise too severe, even for invalids, Then it was Saturday, and practically the business eve of the new year, Everybody was abroad, and the oldest hadttués of Broadway will admit they never saw such @ throng of fashionably dressed people as covered the favorite sice of Broadway in the after- noon, from Broome street to Madison square. As for the sleighing it beat ail past recollections of the sport. It was sleighing gone mad; but of that more anon, WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE ON BROADWAY. A good deal was accomplished towards relieving Broadway, but much more might have been done. Three times the number of laborers should have been employed, and three times the number of carts, The cuts in the snow banks should have been multiplied so as to facilitate communication between both sides of the scrects and with the stages, THR UNHAPPY SIDE STREETS—AN INCIDENT, As for some of the side streets, particularly Bleecker and Houston, they were left in a deplora- ble condition. At six o’clock last evening a car Jaden with passengers, going towards Broadway, came to a full stop in Houston at the same time that a dray, heavily laden with all sorts of household traps, going from Broad- way east, came to a dead halt within fifty feet of the street car. If all the profanity that passed bevween the drivers of the respective vehicles were put in print it would appall the soul of Rabelais, who had in his day a special knack for coining imprecations, A hundred people and a dozen police looked on. It was utterly impossible for the drayman to back his truck to Broadway without smashing his freight, and the car driver was in an_ equal: bad fix, for none of that selfish crowd of passengers he had on board would badge aninch to help him towards backing his car to the turn. The drivers finally settied their bah differences, retired and had @ drink, and when they returned the passen- gers had pocketed their privileges and retired by divers ways home. The drayman triumphed tothe intense delight of everybedy around, including the Police. This is one of inany such cases the HERALD reporter encountered in rambles yesterday. In other instances there was more goed humor. Inthe one just cited it was the selfish conduct of the paasengers in holding on to their seats for a full hour when the eT, might have been adjusted in ten minutes had they come out and lent @ hand that won popular sympathy for the drayman. RAPAGITY OF THE STREET CAR LINES. Business life in the narrow streets yesterday was trying to the last degree. Mancuvring a great, heavy dray inten feet of space between two walls of solid frozen snow is no joke, though the disinter-. ested spectators all thought it was and laughed accordingly. Of course the teams on the street car lines were all doubled up, the consequence of which especially on the Third avenue, that the cen- ductors resorted to the most scandalous process of packing. It was their harvest truly. ey knew people would suffer mach to secure a ride under the circumstances; but what can excuse a conductor whe on yesterday, as the HERALD reporter can aver, ed in @& passenger in the open doorway of the front platform and let the bit- ter wind blow in upon a dozen delicate women standing oP inside? It was ouly a five cent fare that he gained; but then this was done on the Third avenue. That road ts undoubtedly answer- able for namerous frost-bitten toes and sore throats, In spite of all there was a vast circulation of good- humored remarks and civilities throughout the day. ‘The great event of the evening on Broadway was the RETURN OF THE ITALIAN “BRIGANDS” to their homes after their arduous labors of the day. They were tec off at Tenth street, and took the sidewalk at the east side of Broadway for their line of march. Each one had his shovel, and each one seemed to carry itina different way. It was at shoulder, right shoulder shift, reverse, present, carry, support, and endless other forms. ‘They strung out in a Ee column over two blocks, and were ireel accorded the outside of tne sidewalk. At this time the business people in immense force were Gt, from down town. As the loud jabber of the Italian lingo struck their ears they turned for an instant to look at the “brigands,”” who presented fully as comical an appearance as ever did Falstat’s ragged army on its march to Coventry. The fun these unconscious children of suany Italy afforded the passers-by was consider- able. They rattled away in their own delightful (7) dialect, unheeding the taunts of the amali boys crying, “Buta-tuta-too!” One of them, the blade of his shovel at a horizontal pro- jection from the shouider, knocked of a gentie- man’s silk hat; but the owner of the tile contented himself with damning the whole race to Dante’s Inferno, while the gay troubadour with the shovel walked off aa if nothing had happened, ARTISTS IN SNOW. Several copies of the “Venus de Medici,” “Niobe All Tears” (congealed) and various other classic models were executed out of the pyramids of snow in front of Tiffany's and the Metropelitan by some of the most artistic of the “macarooncys,” as the. Irish laborers call them. it is hardiy neqemery, to dwell om the diffusion of art whi ese efforts will produce, “Niobe All yy is deans. by competent Judges a melting i. After all it may prove a wind of good omen that blew these countrymen of Leonardo di Vinci and Mic! Angelo to our shores. The profession of the scavenger will become ex- alted, ahd in the fature there need be no appre- hension that the sculpture department of the National Academy of Design will be limited to a few beggarly specimens of the product of the chisel, THE SLEIGHING. Coincident with daybreak began the carnival of sleighing, and it was truly a carnival. That of the day belore was @ make-believe affair—a mere mockery of enjoyment without heart or blood in it. A HERALD reporter sought to find some quiet up- town street into which no sleigh had penetrated and ruffled the calm surface of the snow, but in vain. The sleighs had been everywhere and the merry bells had made their music heard in every nook and corner of the city. It was jingle, jingle, jingle all the day long and far into the night. e avenues, of course, monopolised the great dis- lay and the side strects acted oly 38, ‘go many Re “tis Ae Bg Rae, svenew erent Sixth, Lexington, venth, upper Broadway ani 80 on, the @apput ing the ,Park. there, and zg All roads | re the sieigh- ing was almost porfection. At noon the cold, bright sun shot a food of golden light in a direct line up Fifth avenue and made the weatuer vanes on the church spires shine with @ dazzling bril- liancy. It was a blinding light to those driving homeward from the Park, but to the outgoin, crowds it showed the way ahead with a vivid an delightfal juminousness, There were sieigns abroad yesterday of the most primitive type the world over saw. One man had the audacity to in- terpose & contrivance made up of an old ladder for & ranner and @ dry goods box for the boay proper between two very fashionable estab- Hishments highly varnished and turned in front like the prow of a Roman galley. In the miadie of @ galaxy of splendid sleighs that in some unac- countable ‘Wa? wo} iainmed toxetuer "Rb ‘Thisby- fourth street was seen an old duffer mounted on aan e a ae ner hae per behind him, i made fence ruils aud churn The ity of oad THAT OLD COWHERD must have been prodigious. He had his cholee of all the other avenues, but he would insist on show- ing off his coonskin cap, with » pair of lapels large oupnah for the are . 2 tones, room for only two abreast in the snow ridges on the avenue, but my pees was: the thi and so impatient were she fellows of giving their nags a show that many the most reckless daring drove atop snow walls and wobbied about boat it ke a = storm, to the amusement of some and the settee anxiety of others, especially the women, THB RUSH BRIWEEN TWELVE AND TWO had enough in it to warm up the blood of the most. phiegmatic native of Holland. When the were not entangled, and every vehicle had & fair showing, the scene was moat enliven! The horses helped to this end. They fairly with anima! spirits and kicked the snow dust for very joy. Some splendid made their appearance from time to py ye ~ resyue feature of the display on the avenue waa the wondrous variety of rich robes, im all the colors ef the rainbow and more besides, 8 of the fashionable class are all alike, but the robes wherewith the ladies love to shroud their precious persons are as different as the dresses at a ball. The best view of the avenue wus from the ground near Forty-second street. The scene was extremely animated, for the mo- tion was rapid and the view kaleidoscopic. Wheeled bears are a Leg, renege Procession sort pearance, buc the ler make @ picture fall of live and aribe. mee hs THE RINGING OP THE BELLS or the “tintinnabulation,” as Poe would insist on calling it, throws a charm of melody about it not to be underrated. It is a great pity the ladies cannot contrive some more attractive he ar than the abominable white cloud which they wreath aronnd their heads and faces. At @ dis~ tance it gives the impression that the lady who Wears it bas the neuralgia, and that she is swathed: in white flannel and uses hartshorn, As far as the falr sex went it was as idle to look for beauti- ful faces among the. UNCOUTH HEADDRESSES which for the most part prevailed yesterday, ti not especially cold as to seek lor the same on beach at Long Branch during bathing hours. ‘The road through the Park to the Sixth avenue boule- vard was an unbroken string of one and two horse sleighs; but once on the broad Boulevard @ wide scattering began, and as many as six abreast came together at a time, which made the drive more sociable and enjoyable, THE THRONG AT M’COMB'S DAM was immense. Many crossed the bri¢ge and went into Westchester, but a majority preferred to re- } fresh and return from this side. Coming home the sun was sinking was the glorious climax of th day’s fun. Old Sol went down, not as he does on a Ju evening, with a blood red halo, but in a golden haze that shaded away to- wards the zenith into the faintest of silver. It was well calculated excite the liveliest sentiments of a poetic order; but the wind picked up just about this time and. blew a blast that banished poetry altogether. Fires and hot suppers were uppermost and SENTIMENT BELOW PAR, Fast bear 3 enough was indulged in going out, but getting back a cloud of spray like the dust of a dry country road in midsummer alter a two-forty team has passed over it, rose upwards, and was blown in @ continuous sheet over the flelds east of the Boulevard. It was ten o'clock last night before the day’s sleig! came to an end. Everybody said it was the best we have nad for years, the snow, the wind andthe weather contributing the most favorable conditions to render it a success, THE PARK COMMISSIONERS will pay particular attention to preserving the track firm and even throughout, so that if the cold holds on there will be much superior sleighing next week than there has been tor the past two days. When the snow becomes better packed the speed- ing will be easier and the motion much more agree. able, Sleighing in Brooklyn. The movement on smooth runners, instituted un- der trying circumstances on Friday, was continued with more vigor and determination in the City of Churches yesterday, There were more sleighs out and the student of that line of architecture foanda a broader fleid for the indulgence of bis taste for studying the finer sleigh lines, The livery stable keepers did @ thriving business in hiring out their wheelless conveyances the live long day and far into the night. The applicants for sleighs were greatly in excess of the supply at command. The consequence was that the INDIA RUDBER COYSCIENCED INDIVIDUALS who laid claim to the proprietorship of the now coveted, though long-stowed-away sleighs, saw a chance for turning an extra dollar or “a few.” The opportunity was too seasonable to be thrown away. The poetic phrase, “Charge, Ohester! charge !” recurred to them, and, applying the text to their respective cognomens, they obeyed the command, and charged right royal fees to their customers for “‘runners,”’ ene and all. Single horse sleighs commanded as high as $10 for half a day; double teams $20 for the same perjod, Notwith- standing these high tariff rates there were NO SLEIGHS UNENGAGED, all were in use, These Prices are, however, fancy fares, and are “put up’ for the special’ benetit ot the impatient enthusiasts who must take a jaont over the beautiful snow-clad roads atence. The probabilities are that the flaky deposits upon this seetion of our mundane sphere will remain for many days. Five days hence the resent rates will be down to half the figure named, and, ther ——. Applications have already been made for handsome sleighs wherein #70 MAKE NEW YEAR'S CALLS on Wednesday, in anticipation of the snow lasting unimpaired until then, A leature of the parties out on the streets (for the highways were not much travelled) yesterday was the large number of boys and eee whose ond parents were induig- ing them—this being the Christmas holidaya—in a jolly d old-fashioned sleigh ride. Sealskin caps, baffalo robes, comforters, seaiskin gloves and Alaska shoes were the toggery most. noticeable upon all sides among the travellers on runners, The wind blew strong and cold from the northwest, driving penetrating glistening parti- cies before it; but the sun shone brightly, and everybody appeared to enter into the festive spirit of the season, lending a truly holiday gloss to the scene. The reutes most travelled yesterday were Clinton, Union, Third and Henry streets, and Bedford, Fufton, Atlantic, Flatbush and Clinter avenues. The roads are not well broken yet; bus there 1s @ good time coming. ° THE SKATING YESTERDAY. ‘biases The Park Crowded and the Snow Wo Impediment. Yesterday was, perhaps, the best New York haw yet enjoyed in the skating line. The air was not too cold to make the sport unenjoyaole, there was no wind of any consequence, and, though the ice was not all that could be desired for the fancy, the ordinary skaters had things just as they liked. them. In other words, for grand circles and back- ward movements, and all that sort of thing, the ice was a little rough and mountainous; but the go-a-head sort, the people who follow their noses on skates and whose greatest pleasure it is to have a good-natured tumble once ina while, were supremely satisfied, On the small pond, yesterday, though the ice had been very greatly cut up, there was a bie crowa.all day long. Boys, e y, who appear to have made the small pond their favorite place of resort, were cutting up all manner of good-humored tricks and were present in incalculable numbers; probably fifteen thousand of them Ware gros during the day. Yet the large lake nad 0 its thousands of the older and graver sort. In many places the snow had not been completely removed and stood in huage mountains of glistening white where it haa been thrown; buat still suficiemt space been. cleared to give plenty of elbow room, and the ice had. also been partially planed, giving @ smooth and even suriace, over which the skaters glided by thou- sands. At about four o’clock in the noon there were over five thousand on: the lal nd among them fully three thousand ladies. The presence of the snow seemed to be rather an advantage than otherwise, The skaters Kal Ny in and out amon, the mounds of snow and took every advantage o' their strategic positions. Altogether it was a great, pleasant, Jor rat scene, in which old and, oung mingled with a zest which was not to be foun im other sports, however a peed they may be. To-day, no doubt, the multitude on the ponds wiil be immense, and from appearances it seems likely that the skating will last some days. and per- haps some weeks longer. OENTRAL PARK METEOROLOGICAL DEPART. MENT, Abstract of Report for the Week Ending: at One o’Clock P. M., December 28, 1872. Barometer—Mean, 29,977 inches; Maximum at nine o'clock A. M., December 25, 30.400 Inches ; aaa at three efaiook Bis December 26, .440 inches ; range, Thermometer—Meun, 14.7 degrees; maximum three o'clock P. M., December 23, 83.2 d minimam at ten fig 3 ry M., December 22, 3.7 ; Tange, 29. oferty cember now from five o'clock . M. to seven o'clock P. M.; amount of water, 108 inch. og travelled by the wind during the week, 1,835 miles, ‘The Commissioners Of Appraisement appointed by the Supreme Court, Messrs, Silas Ladiam and. N, J. Osborn, to appraise the value of the land to be taken for the site of the anchors of the East. River Bridge on the Brooklyn side, have concluded. therr labors. They will submit their report at the next session of the Supreme Court. Ti C3 be taken embraces the site now occupied by the “old James street market.”