Battle of Infernal Caverns

The Battle of Infernal Caverns was a battle during the Snake War^[3] fought between Native Americans and the U.S. Army. The Native American warriors had made a fortress out of lava rocks in the Infernal Caverns of northern California near the town of Likely.^[2][4] From there they were able to pour a steady fire upon the soldiers commanded by Lt. Col. George Crook. Crook's men attacked on the second day. Despite heavy casualties they managed to scale the cliffs and take the fortifications. Colonel Crook reportedly shot down Chief Sieto himself.^[5] Fighting continued into the night as the Native warriors withdrew deeper into the caverns. Crook commented, "I never wanted dynamite so bad as I did when we first took the fort and heard the diabolical and defiant yells from down in the rocks". On the third day the Natives had fled the caverns.

Battle of Infernal Caverns
Part of the Indian Wars, Snake War
Site of the battle in 2016
Date 26–28 September 1867 Location Infernal Caverns, Likely, California Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
United States Warm Springs Shoshone	Paiute Pit River Indians Modoc
Commanders and leaders
George Crook	Cheeoh Sieta
Strength
1st U.S. Cavalry 23rd U.S. Infantry (110 soldiers) Warm Springs and Shoshone Scouts (15 Natives)[1]	75 Paiute 30 Pit River few Modoc[2]
Casualties and losses
8 killed 11 wounded[2]	20 killed 12 wounded 2 captured[2]