Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-21
THE MODOC CAMPAIGN.
Encouraging Dispatc from Gen-I
SchOheld.
Views Of senator Kelley. Secretary
DelanO and Attorney Gen'l
Williams.

No dispatches have been received at the War
department from the scene OF the Modoc war
since those published in Saturdays STAR.
Gen1 Schofeld, in command of that depart
ment, telegraphs from San Francisco that
he has every confidence in Gen1 Gillem and
the officers and men Of his command He ais,
expresses the opinion that
THE MoDoCs HAVE NOT ESCAPED
from the lava beds, and that they will be cap
turcd there. The reports that Gen. Schofieid
would take command of the troops there in
percon, relieving Gen. Gillem are unfounded
The campaign against the Modocs is being car
ried on by Gen. Gillem i'm the most satisfactory
manner, and there is no disposition either on
the Fart Of Gen. Schofeld o. the officials of the
War Department to supercede Gen. ai,iem
Even if the Indians have escaped from the lava
beds, army officers have no doubt that they will
be captured, as the country thereabouts Is
tmckly settled, and it would not be very easy
matter for the treacherous sayages to hide
themselves or elGde our forces long While
they might keep themselves out of sight for a
time, yet they would eventually be taken. The
klamath Indians are the nearest to the MolOcS
and they would not be likely to find any shelter
in that band, as
DEADLY FEUD
has existed between the two tribes for wears.
and the Klam aths will no doubt assist our fore :
to hunt them down. The latest adyices from
Gen. GlIlem express every hope of capturing
the Modocs, and as that offer i certainly the
Inc Il competent To judge OF Inc situation, .nuch
weight Is given TO his statement bv army Of
hceIs, as he is regarded to bU ii The coolest
men of the army, and not liable 10 make state
ments as TO what he can do UHl1ss he is quite
sure OF fulfilling his proInis,s.
SENATOR KELLY, OF OREGON,
also expresses the opinion that the Indians will
be taken II they have escaped from the lava
beds. That gentleman is familiar with the
country Whereabouts, and he declares that it is
impossible Tor Gen. Gilem to surround the la va
beds completely, even If he had 1000 troops in
stead OF coo. There is no doubt in army circles
that the Indians removed their women aud
children from the lava beds during the peace
regulations, before the assassinai on of Gen.
Candy, and II was TO secure all time possible to
remove the women and children that Captain
Jack resorted to every scheme to prolong the
negotiations.
ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAMS,
who is also FAM liar with the oregon lava beds,
Is not so hopeful Of the capture OF the Indians
If they have escaped therefrom. He thinks the
only time to fight Indians there is in the winter,
when they have to remain in the valleys, being
unable to 60 into the mountains on account of
the snow. II they have escaped from the lava
beds they have scattered like so many part
ridges, and 1t Will be some time before they can
be found.
SECRETARY DRLANo's VIEWS.
The Secretary Of the Interior, in converse ton
with reporter OF The STAR this morning
said he feared the MOdocs had escaped but had
every hope that they would be taken.
Reporter.-What do you think. Mr.. Secretary,
OF the reports that the Modocs have escaped
and formed coalitions with other bands ,or no.
tile purposes?
The Secretary.-0h, don't believe a word
of that; we have no unfriendly Indians around
there All our advices through the Indian
Office are to the eject that other Indians in that
locality are peaceable. These Modocs must be
caught; we don't want them marauding arOu nd
there committing all kinds of depredations.
While they cannot join with other bands, nor
cauae general outbreak, they can greatly an
noy the settlers, and will no doubt Commit muir
ders when they get chance.
Rep--There seems to be but little doubt that
Gen. Gillem will catch them?
The Secretary.-Ycs, Gen. Sherman says
they have hors es enough out there to catch All
Of them. only hope it is true that we have
killed this Oscar Faced Charley" as he was a
bad Indian, and gave much trouble. 1 think
now If we can get "Jack," the others will be
demoralIzed and the trouble ended. l feared
all the time that if we had fight with them
they would cause much trouble. You see thew
know the country so well, and can annoy our
troops by sccreting themselves where We can
not get at them.