The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-13
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.


Sincere Regret OF the officials mt the
Capital Over General Canby's Assassi-
nation-Mr. Meachnm-Why He Was
Seals the Fate OF Himself and Band.
WASHINGTON, April II, 1873
The announcement of the murder OF General
CANDY and DR.. Thomas and mortaly wounding OF
Mr.. Meacham. Of the Peace Commission, by the
Modoc Indians, while holding council with Cap
tain Jack ana other CHIEFS was at nrst not be-
eved by the Cabinet officers. to whom the infor-
nation was conveyed by your correspondent but
the detailed statement OF the incidents OF the sad
occurrence which soon followed convinced
them OF its truth. General Candy was
SO well known, not only to the army,
In which he was considered Of the most meri-
torious officers but also personally to many OF the
citizens of Washington, where he had at different
periods of his military life been stationed that his
death will here be very generally regretted.
WHY MIR. MEACHAM WAS APPOINTED.
Mr.. Meacham is prominent citizen in Oregon,
and an intimate personal and political friend OF
Attorney General Williams, at whose suggestion
he was appointed one OF the Peace Commi ssioners
to visit the Modocs and see II some arrange.
ment could not be made by which a war with
this band could be averted. He was for several
years and until recently Superintendent OF Indian
Affairs for Oregon. 1t appears that the appoint
ment, though made with the best intentions, was
an unfortunate one, the Indians were partcu-
larry incensed against him. looking upon him as
the originator and cause OF their removal from
their old homes to the reservation from which they
fed.
1t will be seen by the report that when
aan
the region where they are at present
that the Indians said that ended all talk, and
then Captain Jack, walking behind General Candy,
before he was aware OF the treachery, shot him
dead, the other Indians killing DIR. Thomas and
mortally wounding Meacham.
CANBY's WAR DISPATCHES.
General Candy from the tone or his dispatches
to the War Department appears never from the
first TO have had the slightest confidence in the
success OF the attempted peace negotiations.
Though very humane man, and DESTROYS OF avoid
ing bloodshed II possible, from his thorough knowl-
edge Of Indian character, gained BY long service
on the frontier, he was convinced that the Indians
would come to no terms unless they were dictated
by themselves, principal among which was not
only protection for the murders they had COM
mitted, but also reservation secured to them in
the region from which they had been previously
removed, and which would Of necessity dispossess
certain Of the white settlers.
BY THIS ASSASSINATION,
which, even in Indian warfare, has been
but rarely, If ever, equaed In its treach-
cry, Captain Jack, In the opinion OF officials
has sealed his own fate and that of all his
band. He has doomed them to death, and know
ing his fate will fight doubtless with the despera-
ton of man conscious that If captured he
will be hanged, a death which, among
as disgrace "a dogs DEATH" as they term 1t.
or course the troops largely outnumber the In
dams, as there in the neighborhood OF the lava
beds an available force OF about six hundred, in
Guiding portions OF the First cavalry, Fourth
tllery, with howitzer batteries, and the Twenty
first infantry.
THE CAVALRY
is commanded by Major John Green, who entered
the army during the Mexican war as private in
the Mounted Rifle regiment, was promoted for
gallant conduct to lieutenancy in the Second
dragons, served with distinction during the late
war, since when he has been stationed in Arizona,
where ne was actively employed in campaigns
against the Apaches. He is considered an excel
lent Indian fighter. The senior officer now present
is Brevet Major General Gillem, Colonel First cav
airy.
BATTLE
has probably taken place before this. The result OF
which is hourly expected by General Sherman, and
the last received was the troops had advanced
on all sides and would take up under cover OF
night positions from which they could throw them
selves on the Indians at daybreak. The savages
are 80 well protected by the rocks and
broken nature of the ground that 1t
will be hard contest to drive
them from their fastness. considerable
loss among the troops may be looked for, but in
furiated as they have been by the treacherous
murder of their much esteemed communication
General Candy had wonderful facility OF getting
the affections OF the men who served under him
they will fight under the stimulus Of a fercer de-
termination to bitterly avenge his death.
THE MoDocs WILL CEASE TO EXIST
Even II 1t were possible that the troops should be
repulsed, such is reported to be the feeling in
Oregon and Northern California that several
thousand volunteers would at once tender their
services to the Governors Of their States to wipe
out the tribe and public opinion would ferce these
Executives to act promptly in the matter, regard
less OF their acceptance by the general govern
ment, which doubtless, however, in such an
emergency would avail itself OF the offer,
and this would he dsne the more quickly because
Of the belief that these Indians again successful,
would not only be largely reinforced by the restless
young warriors from other bands, bat that 1t VIII
| also spread to entire tribes and thus an indian
| war; Of vast proportsns with all Its horrors, be