The Thomas-Wright Battlefield marks where Modoc fighters ambushed a U.S. patrol on April 26, 1873, during the Modoc War. The site lies near Sand Butte, reached by a 1.1-mile trail.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
The ambush
A patrol led by Captain Evan Thomas and Lieutenant Thomas Wright was caught by Modoc fighters under Scarfaced Charley. Two-thirds of the patrol was killed or wounded, and both Thomas and Wright died. The defeat came two weeks after the killing of General Canby at the peace talks and added to the Army's losses during a campaign in which fewer than 60 Modoc fighters held off as many as 1,000 troops.
The site today
The 1.1-mile trail crosses volcanic formations to reach the battlefield, with wildflowers in late spring and early summer. The Modoc were defeated within weeks of this fight, and Captain Jack surrendered on June 1, 1873.