Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-04-22
THE MoDOC WAR.
History Of the Trouble.
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where it empties into the Tule or Rhett Lake. 4
and they ett their living by hunting and fish.
ing, and ofttimes by stealing from the settlers.
when they got good chance. During last
summer the country about Rhett and klamath
lakes and on the banks of Lost river was
largely settled by people mostly from the
neighborhood of Eugene aud Jacksonville.
Raiding on the Ranches.
During the summer of1S72 the Modocs,.in
their camp at the mouth of Lost river, looked
on the increased immigration to their neigh
borhood with good deal of jealousy. They
knew that as the country filed up they would
be compelled to give way, and finally submit
to going on the reservation. In consequence
of this they soon became more troublesome.
In their manner toward the new settlers they,
were particularly insoent, generally treating
them in manner (which implied the most in
tense hatred.
Capt. Jach Dsfes the Troops. q
Finally things got SO bad the settlers re-
solved to do something for their own protec-
ton. They united in petition to the Super
intendent of Indian 4 fairs for the district of
Oregon, requesting that he take measures to
remove the Moaocs, Captain Jack, Scarfaced
Charley, and all included. TO the Indian reser- q
walton on Rogue river. The superintendent
laid the petition before the Commissioner of
Indian A fairs at Washington. That officer at
once ordered that the Modocs be placed on
their reservation, peaceably if possible, but
forcibly if necessary. The order was of the
most peremI tory character, and the superin>
tendent proceeded to the Indian camp at
Rhett Lake to procure its enforcement The
chiefs, Captain Jack and Scarfaced Charley,
heard of his approach, and knowing what it
meant, refused to meet him, and set his au-
thority at defiance.
NE,jor Jacksoa's Morch
Fort klamath is situated about forty miles
north of the Indian camp. To this point Su.
perintendent O!eneal now repaired, and re-
ques.ed Major Jackson's aid in carrying out
his order. he placed the order in the Major,
hands, and stipulated that it should be carried
out without bloodshed, if possible, and that a
force sufficient to overawe the savages should
be used. But the courage and disposition of
Captain Jacks band seems to have been I'M
derrated, for Major Jackson started out with
only thirty-fve cavalry to effect the object
desired. The Indians then numbered one
hundred. and it was folly to believe that they
would allow thirty>6ve cavalrymen to frighten
them into submission.
Surrounding the Band in their Camp.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1872, Major Jrck-
sons command. accompanied by Ivan Apple
gate, a settler at Clear Lake. and ames Brown,
messenger of the Indian Department. arrived
at the Indian camp at the mouth of Lost river.
They arrived there at early dawn, and quietly
surrounded the camps on either side of the
river, Major Jackson taking the side on which
was located Captain Jacks cabin, and Apples
gate, with ten twelve citizens taking the
other SIDE where about half of the warriors
had their butts.
The First Battle
When all was ready the presence of the
military was made known. and instantly the
camp became scene of confusion. Indians
ran hither and thither, seized their guns and
huddled together in q sullen manner, ap-
narently ready TO fee at n moments notice.
Major Jackson asked if any of the Indians
smoke English. Scarfaced Charley came
forward gun in hand, and said nngrily that
he did Major Jackson then explained to
Charley the nature of the order from Wash
ington, and requested the Modocs to 60 to the
reservation quietly. Charley interpreted to
Captain Jack aud the other Indians all of
whom shook their heads aud turned their
backs in token of unqualified refusal to obey
the order. While Major Jackson was deliber-
ating what to do, Scartaced Charley suddenly
raised his gun and fred at Lieutenant
Boutelle. who stood in front of his men
This, of course. the signal for battle
Lieutenant Boutelle promptly returned the
fire, and the fight at once became general
The officers and men stood their ground we'll
and fought brnvely, but they were largely
outnumbered by the Indians who had also an
advantage in ground While the battle was
going on with the troops, Applegute and
Brown, with the settlers the opposite side
OF the river. took several guns away from the
Indians on their side, but when the firing
haF f6o hate
four Indians were killed and one citizen
John Thnrhur, settler, who had joined the
party, Major Jackson's command suffered
quite severely, one soldier being killed aud
four wounded-two Of them MORALLY.
Flight Of tie Reds.
Seeing that the Indians were too strong to
be dslodged or snbdued with the force at his
command, Major Jackson withdrew the troops
to the other side of the river to care for his
wounded. The Indians who had been fight
ing the iSrown-Applegatc party fed across the
river, and Joined their band under Captain
Jack, and as Major Jackson had already
crossed to join Brown and Apologize. the two
forces eyed each other from the opposite banks
Of the river all night long. So far the Indians
had the best of it, but towards morning of the
goth they deserted their camp, leaving their
women aud children at the mercy of the mill
tary, who at once crossed over and took them
prisoners.
Tie Brothcrton Massacre
On the way they overlook William Broth.
erton and his two sons, aged respectively
eleven and twenty>one years. They had been
in the woods for load of fuel and were then
approaching the rancho on their return, with
two four>hor teams. The Indians. under
command of Scar-faced Charley, at once
stopped the teams. and shot down the elder
Brothcrton as he sat on the wagon. The two
boys tried to run, but were killed before they
had gone fifty yards. The Indians then un-
hitched the eight horses, mounted them. aud
started for the house, where they doubtless