New-York tribune., 1873-04-14
THE MoDOC CAMPAIGN.


STORY OF OFFICIAL rNEFFICIENCY-Hov rT
TROUBLE BEGAN-TIiE FIRST FIGHr-IliE ihDASs
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SEGOTlAtICNs-ADNlk-
ABLE VIEWS OF GEN CANBY-IHE TWO PiAIA
COMMISSIONS.
The following brief history of the Modoc
Indiana was sent 20 the senate Dy the Acting Conis
sioner Of Indian Affairs, Jan. l6. 1873;
The tribe has been known 70 this oice since 80 -
generally unfriendly 10 the whites IL nst cn.etu N
forma relations with the Government by treaty 20
which the Klamaths anf YahOoskin Dand OF 'hakeS W.
also Rsruss d no So rataed sy the senate wt
tain verbal amendments, July 1866. and after ine
Indians had consented 10 these amendments ia Dt.ela
heT Isso proclaimed By the President February H. Isl
Under the provisions or Article OF M NJ, ,
thereunder, a tract OF Land. estimated 70 eOnlaln
76s 90 acres was set apart Tor the n' lnoans' s,
tenber 1866, while this treaty was pending oeiors ~
Senate, Mr Lindsey Applegate suDassuo , n yi ~
their benefit. The Modocs. presumably acting under
from f6e Country 10 Their former home near
Clear lake co miles southeast VI Klamath Itey bow
Wonid Conform TO MS wishes aud the event Of the
rancation OF their treaty would come On tne re-eFya
their head chief scon-chin {" "snn-tiau" wer,
induced ITO settle quietly at the agency (apti JeAs
where. without serious outbreak, tney inlned ubt
1862 In the latter part Of that year the OF
the Senate 10 SAID treaty were preseuSu 4ol .iei
ceptance when Capt. Jack made strenuous o9ecl1h. -
the other chiefs withdraw his opposition 10 ne treat
and Ia December OF that year settled Win ms hhe
months troubles arose between the Nodocs
aud the Kamaths, due, IN great n,as- &
latter The MOdOcs, under orders IRON capt. O. =
Knapp, United statess Army. VINO. IA O"tobei, l'es.
another part OF tine reservation. Here disturbances
were renewed which resulted Ia the departure ot
the Modocs who refused. they SAID, t0 - INTO ny
traps for the benefit OF their enemies tue kialn ts
Mr.. A. B. Meacham, the then superintendent 81 iaian
Affairs for Oregon attempted 10 settle the difeny "
reseryation sab-ieency ior the snakes aud otners.
fha lar ms a
rs TTbuIenf portton OF rhe tribe under Capt Jacks
leadership failed of object In his annual report Tor
1911 superintendent Mescnam recommended the esia
hnenf of the hand ON a reservation be apart FOR
them near their old home, where they could De tei
governmental control ana receive thel. shae ~ lne
benefits OF the treaty The tract indicated ~ Llm %s
SIX miles square. lying partly in Oregon aud partially
California. No acton on TINS recOLnnIehuaAVN was
ever taken by this department
In the OF 1871, the superintendent held con.
sutations with the Modocs. aud promised that they
should not be disturbed until definite acton gas taken
By the Indian Office provided they refrned from theft
and disturbance. In the spring OF 1874 Mr. T. Odene,
who had succeeded superintendent Meacham concluded
that Capt Jacks band had. ~ It's maraung forfeited
all claim 20 consideration under the aereem.nt referred
TO- April l2 1872, Commissioner Walker wrote Ia the
Superintendent as follows;
You are instructed to have the Modoe Iniians
moved. II practicable, 10 the reservation sei apart ior
~ see that they are properly protected from
msth Indians
June II, 1872. superintendent Odeneal replied
do not believe il practicable 20 remove them tho
amath reservation az this OF the year without
using military for that purpose and then n they
should resist doubt whether there L. sufficient force ~
in the conyersaton had with hum hat tue peremDtory
order FOR them 10 70 upon the shOuld
made before the last OF september for the that
would be difficult 20 enforce such order before tbe
commencement OF Winter
July g. Commissioner Walker wrote as follows
Your recommendations, far as the ModOe Indians
concerned, are approved and y0n are directed 70 re-
move rhem 20 the klamath reservation peAoeabiy.
you possibly can. but forciby, you must, al the me
suggested your report, IN september next h"u WI
exercise your discretion about making arrests OF le
leaders avoiding any unnecessary violence OF res~ 70
extreme measures
on the 10th OF November SIR. odeneal arrived Al the
Klamath reservation aud appointed al intervew with
Capt Jack. Sink River the 27th The Indians de-
family refused 20 Sink River. and Mr. Odeneal iu
medateiy transferred rho whole matter Ia Col.
Wheaton with request that he execute the order ef
the Indian Commissioner. Citizens IN the yieniiY hAv
ing been warned OF the approach OF the loope, Capt
Jackson with men, under instructions not a. nght
cegt sedefense, arrived at the camp of the AOdoes
the morrtng Of Nov. u nr. odenelI, in ropoaSng
what took placs. SAYS
Can't Jackson has STRAIGHTFORWARD me that be repeated
70 them all requested him t0 say and used
1ent ne eoS Spsnded Of tSr 10 Sy dawn ,Ssr me-,
when one OF the leaders "scarfaced Charley raised
10 begin with. ared al Lieut. Boutee who was in frunt
men, shooting four buiethOe through his coat
INC AL hed their guns their hands.
aud general firing commenced ON bssn sldes.
The battle lasted hours when Indians ped
but returned asan In the afternoon and attacked shs
troops
During the day, II citizens were murdered By the
Indians.
company of Oregon volunteers Immediately In
vested Capt. Jacks camp in Ben. wrighrs Cave" Ou
the nth January battle fought by the troops
under Gen. Wheaton. consisting Of go regulars,
companies of Oregon volunteers, Is raemen Of cafor
MIA, under Capt. Farchiid and few Klamath Indiana
sss FiRs PasA