Connecticut western news., 1873-04-18

Maj. Gen. Canby and Dr. Thomas, of the Modoc peace commission, were treach- erously murdered by the Modoc Indians last Friday. The following are the partic- ulars:
 LAVA BED CAMP, April l2.
 Yesterday forenoon five Indians and four squaws ca ne into our camp and were made presents of clothing and provisions by the peace commissioners and message was sent cut by the commissioners, asking for | talk this morning, at point about mile from our picket line. This morning Bos- ton Charley came in and told the commits sion that Captain Jack and five other Indi- ans would meet the commissioner outside oar lines. Boston Charley and Bogus Charley then mounted horse and started for the lava bed. About an hour after their departure General Canby, Mir. Dyer, Dr. Thomas, and Mir. A. B. Meacham, with Frank Riddle and his squaw for in terpreters, started for the place appointed. The party arrived at the appointed place and were closely watched by the signal officer, Lieutenant Adams, from the signal station on the hills overlooking our camp. About half an hour after the party arr.ved cry from the signal station was heard saying that the Indians had attacked the peace commissioners and that an engage ment had commenced between the Indians and Colonel Mason. In moment the troops were under arms and deployed as skirmishcrs, under command of Colonel Green, and orders were given to forward double quick. Very shortly after Mr. Dyer returned and told us that the Indians had attacked them. and that he thought he was the only one who escaped, but few mo ments after Riddle and his squaw were seen within the picket line. From him we gather the following account of how the massacre commenced.
 Mr. Meacham made short speech to the Indians, followed by General Canby, and then Dr. Thomas. Then Capt. Jack made a speech, asking for Hot Creek and Cotton wood. the places now occupied by Fair child and Doris, for reservation. Mir. Meacham told Jack that 1t was impossible to give him what he asked. Schonchin told MT. Meacham to say nc more that he had said enough upon that subject; and while Schenchin was speaking Capt. Jack got up and walked behind the others, turn ed back and exclaimed, "All ready" He then drew his pistol and snapped cap at General Canby. He cooked the pistol and again fired. General Canby fell dead, shot under the eye. Sehonchin then shot MT. Meacham in the shoulder and head, but he is still alive. Boston Charley and another Indian shot and killed Dr. Thomas. Hook CT Jim chased MT. Dyer for some distance, but Dyer turned upon him with pistol in hand and Jim ran. The troops are now about mile in the lava beds, lying on their arms, and will probably advance tonight under cover of the darkness. There are here about 600 troops which can be bro't into active service, and it is believed they will end the Modoc war. Mir. Meacham is not expected to survive
 THE PRRslDENr INFORMED
 The feelings of President Grant at the sudden announcement were of the most intense sorrow and indignation, and there was not an instant's hesitancy in the decla- ration that the Modocs snail be made to suffer to the severest extent for their crimes. It is now evident that the act was long premeditated and this fact adds to the deeO sense of wrath the massacre has aroused The president has unreservedly expressed his sanction of the severest meas ures now necessary to properly punish the Aodocs, and his views in this respect have been fully stated to the authorities acting under the war department. General Sher- man has telegraphed to Gen. Scofeld in structions to move his entire force at once upon the Indians.