Near Tule Lake in Siskiyou County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Attack at Hospital Rock
At midday, soldiers spotted three Modoc crossing the lave beds in front of you waving a white flag. When two officers approached them, they opened fire. Moving the camps had driven the Modoc to act; this offensive would spark the second battle for the Stronghold.
At the time of the attack, the Modoc has 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 whites would never grant their wish to be left alone in their homeland.
Lieutenant William Sherwood (picture at bottom center) was mortally wounded, and 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.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1873.
Location. 41° 50.043′ N, 121° 28.28′ W. Marker is near Tule Lake, California, in Siskiyou County. Marker can be reached from County Route 120 near Wildlife Refuge Tour Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tulelake CA 96134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Shore of Tule Lake (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lava Fortress (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Road to the Stronghold (approx. 1.6 miles away); Last Meeting of the Peace Commission (approx. 3.9 miles away); Canby Cross (approx. 3.9 miles away); Raptors - Birds of Prey (approx. 4.2 miles away); Petroglyph Point (approx. 4.2 miles away); Attracted to Water (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tule Lake.
More about this marker. Hospital Rock is a short walk from the parking lot.
Additional keywords. Modoc War
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.