"All you boys what ain't dead had better go on home. We don't want to kill you all in one day!"
1867 large West Point photograph of Lt George M. Harris, 4th US Artillery, who was killed (mortally wounded- no difference to Harris!) by the Modoc Indians at the famous Thomas-Wright Massacre in April, 1873.
It took Harris sixteen (from all accounts) agonizing days to die from his wounds!
Great period ink id on the albumen, image and mount in fine condition with wear as shown in the scan. $195.00 plus shipping A short description of the "Thomas-Wright Massacre", in which this brave officer was killed:
April 26, 1873, The Thomas-Wright Massacre:
In an effort to locate the Modocs, Gillem sent out patrols of cavalry and Indian scouts. On learning the Modocs were in the lava flows south of the Stronghold, he sent a patrol of 68 men from the 12th U.S. Infantry and the 4th U.S. Artillery toward Sand Butte (now Hardin Butte). The patrol, under the command of Captain Evan Thomas of the 4th Artillery and Lieutenant Thomas Wright of the 12th Infantry, were ordered to establish an observation post and evaluate the butte as an artillery position for bombarding the Modocs' suspected position. After taking most of the morning to cover the 4 miles from Gillem's camp, the Thomas-Wright patrol arrived at the Base of Sand Butte. As the men broke ranks for lunch and a break, a group of 22 Modocs under the command of Scarfaced Charley ambushed the command. In 45 minutes, 2/3 of the troops were dead or wounded, including both Thomas and Wright. Most of the survivors were men who fled in panic when the shooting started. Charley ended the carnage by calling down to the men, "All you boys what ain't dead had better go on home. We don't want to kill you all in one day!"
In spite of their victory, the Modocs moved further southeast, beyond the Lava Beds. Gillem was relieved of command, replaced by Col. Jefferson C. Davis of the 23rd U.S. Infantry.
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