The Van Buren press., 1873-04-22
- TELEGRAPH NEWS
Especial Dispatch to the Repsbhc.,t
THE M0D0C WAR.
Massacre Of Peace Commissiouer,,
Gen' Cdn6y and DR.. Thomas Shot Deao
Commiss'oner IHeacham Not E,c.
pscted 10 Sarp,ve.

LAVA BEND, April II, via Yreka. April
l2-festerday afternoon five Indians
came into our camp and we're made pres
enls OF clethng and provisions by the
peace commissioners, and a message was
sent out by the commissioners ssking for
talk this morning, at a point about a
mile from our picket line. Later in the
evening Bogus Charley came in and told
the picket that he could take his gun
that he (Charley) did not intend to go
back any more The picket brought him
IN and took him to the tent Of Gen. Can
~, where Charley left his gun, and re.
manned in the tent Of Frank Riddle dur
ing the night
This morning Boston Charley came in,
and told the commission that Captain
Jack and five other Indians would meet
the commission outside our lines. Boston
Charley and Bogus then mounted their
horses and startod for the lava beds.
About an hour after their departure, Gen
Candy. Dr. Thomas, Mr. A. B. Meacham
and Mr.. Dar, with Frank Riddle and
his squaw for Interpreters, started for the
place appointed The party arrived at
the place appointed, and were closely
watched by the signal officer Lieut. Ad-
ans, from the signal station on the hill
overlo oking our camp. About half an
hour after The party had arrived cry
from the signal station was heard, saying
that the Indians had attacked the peace
commission, and that an engagement had
commenced between the In lans and Col
Mason In moment the troops were
under'arms and dePloyed as skirmishers
under command of Col Greene, and or
ders were given to forward double quick
Neiy shortly after Mr. Diar returned and
told us that the Indians had attacked
them, and that he thought he was the
only one who had escaped but in few
moments after Riddle and his squaw were
seen within the picket lines. From him
we gather the following account Of how
the massacre commenced:
Mr.. Meacham made a short speech to
the Indians, followed 10y Gen. Candy and
another by DR.. Thomas. Then Captain
Jack made Il speech, asking for Hot
Creek and Cottonwood, ike places now
occupied by Fairchild and Doris, for a
r servation Mr.. Meacham told Jack
that it was not possible to give him what
he asked. Scorchin told Meacham to
say no more-that he (Meacham) had
8 hid enough upon that subject and while
S orchin was speaking, Captain Jack got
up and walked behind the others, and
turned back and exclaimed IAN ready !"
drew his pistol, and snapped cap at
Gen. Candy He cooked his pistol again,
and fred Gen. Cmby fell dead being
shot under the right eve. Scorchin then
shot Meacham in the shoulder and head,
but he is still alive. Boston Charley and
another Indian shot and killed DR..
Thomas
The troops are now about a mile in the
lava beds, lying on their arms, and will
probably advance tonight under cover
of darkness There are about six hun.
dred troops, waich can be brought into
active service, and believe they will end
the Modoc war Meacliam is not cx-
pcc.cd to survive
WASHINGTON, April IA.
The following dispatch shows the
earncstness Of the government to punish
the Modocs:
IiD Qks UNITED STATES ARMY,)
WASHINGTON. April II, 1873
Gen. GiLLEM Modoc Camp, via Yreka,
California:
Your dispatch announcing the terrible
loss to the country of Gen. Candy, by
the pcrfdy oflhc Modoc band of Indians.
has been shown to the president, who au-
thorzes me TO instruct you to make the
attack so strong and persistent that their
fate may be commensurate with their
crime. You will be fully justified in their
utter extcrmination.
w. T. SHERMAN. Genera.
Gen Sherman in his dispatch to Gen.
Schofcld, says; "Thc president now
sanctions the most severe punishment Of
the Modocs, and hope to hear that
they have met the doom they have so
richly earned by their insolence and per-
fdy. Consult Mrs. Candy, and have
every honor paid to the emans Of Gen.
Candy. You may be sure that any meas
ure OF severity to the saVaScs VIII DC sns
tained.'
Gen Jefferson G.. Davis, now in In
diana, has been directed to Immediately
assume the command made vacant by
the death Of Gen. Candy.
WASHINGTON, April Is
Gen Sherman has received the follow
ing dispatch from Gen Schofeld, dated
April ls!h:
No news from Gen. Gillem since the
18th inst but hope to hear Of decisive
action this evening All available troops
are ready TO nov if the next report
makes it necessary. I will 90 to the
front if my presence there seems dcsir
able.
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