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What to do
US Army camp, then
CCC camp and park entrance. |
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Gillem's Camp
Imagine what it must have been like to be
stationed at Gillems Camp. It was called Camp Tule Lake then. It was
occupied from April 1 through June 1, some of the coldest months of the
year. The strong winter winds and cold temperatures must have made the
wool uniforms and floorless tents seem inadequate. Meals of hardtack,
bacon, beans, and coffee surely became monotonous and the few hot meals
probably cooled rapidly in the out of doors. With these adverse physical
conditions, the troops also had to deal with the threat of death during
every patrol and battle and the monotony of waiting while negotiations
with the Modocs were taking place. Walk through the camp, visit the
cemetery, and try to imagine what it was like to be there in 1873.
For further adventure, take a walk to the top of the bluff along the
trail that mules used to bring in army supplies. The view from the top
will explain why the soldiers were betting the capture of the Modocs
would take little time. The flat-looking ground below failed to reveal
the cracks and crannies of the lava flows, excellent fortifications and
hiding places for the Modocs. Will it still look that way to you? You'll
never know unless you venture up the trail..
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