Battle of Sand Butte

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Battle of Sand Butte
Part of Modoc War (Indian Wars)
Scarfaced charley.jpg
Scarface Charley, who ambushed the US troops.
Date26 April 1873
Location
Result Modoc victory
Belligerents
Modoc United States
Commanders and leaders
Scarface Charley Evan Thomas
Strength
34 warriors 67-man patrol
Casualties and losses
none 25 killed, 42 wounded

The Battle of Sand Butte or the Thomas Massacre was a clash between the Modoc Indians and the United States 12th Infantry Regiment in the Modoc War. A small force of US troops were ambushed and nearly wiped out by Modoc warriors led by Scarface Charley. Ten days after the battle, the dead bodies of the soldiers were discovered by a patrol.

References

  • MHQ Summer 2011: Fooled Again by Peter E. Cozzens
  • Indians of the Pacific Northwest: A History by Robert H. Ruby and John A. Brown

Coordinates: 41°45′36″N 121°31′26″W / 41.760°N 121.524°W / 41.760; -121.524