Ross' volunteers under Hugh Kelly and O. C. Applegate; the howitzer battery under Lieutenant W. H. Miller, and Fairchild's sharp-shooters; all, but some of the scouts, dismounted, furnished with a hundred rounds of ammunition, with fifty in close reserve, and cooked rations for three days. A line of pickets was thrown out along the edge of the bluff and another around the camp.
On the east side of the lake were Bernard's and Jackson's companies, and twenty regularly enlisted Klamath scouts under the chief David Hill, all commanded by Bernard, who had been directed to move up to a point two miles from the Modoc position, to be in readiness to attack at sunrise; but proceeding in ignorance of the ground, and contrary to the advice of his guide, he came so near to the stronghold that he was attacked, and compelled to retreat with four men wounded,[1] which unfortunate error greatly embarrassed him next day.
As the troops looked down, on the morning of the 17th, from the high bluff, the fog which overhung the lava-bed resembled a quiet sea. Down into it they were to plunge and feel for the positions assigned them. Mason with the infantry had his position at the extreme left of the line, resting on the lake, with Fairchild's sharp-shooters flanking him. On his right were the howitzers, in the centre General Wheaton and staff, and generals Miller and Ross of the militia; on the right of these Kelly and Applegate with their companies, and on the extreme right Perry's troop, dismounted.[2]
Descending the bluff by a narrow trail, surprised at meeting no Modoc picket, the troops gained their positions, in the order given, about seven in the morning. It was the design to move the line out on the right until it met Bernard's left in front of the Modoc posi-
