Hospital Rock, Tulelake, Ca

Hospital Rock

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Information, Trash Dumpster

It was April 11, 1873, the middle of the Modoc War. Though greatly outnumbered, Modoc warriors had easily defeated the Army in the first battle for the Stronghold in January. Soldiers had waited through the winter while peace talks dragged on. At last, the restless troops were moved to Hospital Rock and Gillem’s Camp, much closer to the Modocs.

At midday, soldiers spotted three Modocs crossing the lava beds, waving a white flag. When two officers approached them, the Modocs opened fire. Moving the camps had driven the Modocs to act. This offensive would spark the second battle at Captain’s Jacks Stronghold.

At the time of the attack, the Modocs had been living for months in the Stronghold caves instead of their usual warm winter dwellings. In spring when they saw the Army camps moving closer, some became concerned. They called for an end to negotiations. It seemed apparent that the Modocs would never be granted their wish to be left alone in their homeland.

Lieutenant William Sherwood was mortally wounded; he died several days later at the crude field hospital that gave Hospital Rock its name. An urgent message warning of treachery was sent to the peace commissioners meeting nearby. Unfortunately, it arrived too late —they too had been attacked.