The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-17

point and looked down made 'tne remark,
'where are the lava DedsS This epuntry below
looks like q nat plain that mounted man could
gallon across without dinnculty or impediment.u 1t
was not until the troops were in action that the
command arrived at correct estimate OF the char
THE FIELD OF OPERATIONS.
Their experience, though rather dearly bought
at the sacrifice OF about fifteen brave men,
has given comprehension OF the geog-
raphy OF the lava beds that was hitherto
unknown. 1t is to be hoped however,
that no further aggressive movements NAV be
necessary, as from my personal inspection OF the
position now occupied by the Modoc indians a vic
tory VIII be dearly bought even should the attack
ing party be 1000 strong.
Ever since the arrival OF the Peace Commission
there has been hope that war was at an end, but
since have made the personal acquaintance OF
Captain Jack and his fOrty-twO braves do not feel
so certain about the negotiations terminating
peacefully, az, from what can learn. Mr.. Meacham
ia the only member OF the Peace Commission who
appears INCLINED to grant these Indians general
pardon, and without such liberal action there are
no hopes OF peace, as the Modocs will fight to the
last man rather than give up one or their number
to suffer for the death OF those citizens who, in
their belief, were only killed In honorable warfare.
Mr. Case and Mr.. Appegate, it is understood, are
both in favor Of they say, upholding the dignity
OF the government they represent and claiming
the so-called murderers, to be handed over to the
civil powers OF Oregon to be tried for their
crimes. The action OF the Oregon Grand
jury finding a true bill OF murder in
the first degree against Hooker Jim, Charley
Miller, Curly-Hcaded Doctor and two others has
certainly rather complicated the business in the
hands OF the Peace Commission as suppOsing they
should pardon all these Indians and decide to
them to Klamath or some other reservation within
the boundaries OF the State of oregon, the Sherin
might put in an appearance and claim the aD0ve
named men, and thus make a conflict between the
military and civil authorities. the former would
certainly protect the Modocs from the hands Of the
law.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLES.
For the past three weeks have travelled pretty
well all around this section, with view to obtain
ing correct opinion as to the origin OF these
troubles, and after q careful estimate Of the diff
ferent stories that have heard, feel satisfied
that these Indians have been badly treated and
forced into war which they appear perfectly
able to sustain. At first was very
much puzzled by the conflicting accounts
one heard from Calif0rnians and Orcgonians,
but the letter Of the Governor Of Oregon, stating
that the Lost River land had been located under
the Homestead act, and the reservations teng all
located in the same state, enabled me 10 compre-
bend the motives OF the Oreg0nians in attempting
to force these Indians from their homes on coveted
land to "A government reservation, where Indian
agents would have more heads to include in their
acquisitions, and therefore more government
funds at their disposal These Indians, however,
had an experience of the comforts OF reservation,
and preferred their little settlement the banks
OF Lost River, where fish and game were plenty, to
starvation at the expense of the government. For
three years they lived in peace and quie:, travel
ling backwards and forwards without molestng
or disturbing any OF the settlers, and occasionally
visiting Yreka tp dispose OF furs and feathers
which formed their chief means OF sub.
'sistencc. Some 'of them, however, were scat.
tered through the country, located on diff
weren't ranches, where they made themselves
sgeneraly useful, splitting rails and stock riding
This peaceful state Of affairs did not suit the
Oregonian settlers, and when they complained to
the Indian superintendent and trunped up stories
OF repeated ansdlts offered their families by the
Modocs the latter, 6ify' zoe .asa to add 70 the
family, for whose support the government pays
literally, sent down accompany OF thirty-hve
soldiers to move them on to reservation, peace
ably If they could but forcihy If necessary. This
soldiers came before daylight, and, as the Indians
say themselves, before they were out OF their beds
Captain Jack distinctly denies the story that the
Indians fred first, but says thatScar-faced Charley
had been out shooting wild geese. and returning
saw the soldiers in the camp. ran up to see what
was the matter, and when 300 yards from tase
soldiers fell down, and his gun was accidentally
discharged, and the report started the firing on
the part of the soldiers. In justice however, ito
the military, must state that Major Jackson
who was in command Of the soldiers, distinctly
aflrms that Scar-faced Charley fired the first shot
when close upon the troops. On the other side Of
the river John SchOnchin states that man named
George Fyack, Of Yreka, fired the first shot, which
was followed BY several others on the part OF the
citizens which resulted in the killing of a papoose
woundipg squaw and soaring all the party IN ahe
encampment. This attack. was considered by the
Indians TO be, to all intents and purposes decla
ration of war, and putting on their war paint, they
startedfcr the lava beds. The party attacked by
the citizens made raid on the settlers and Killed
twelve men, but spared all women and children
with .theGxception Of boy aged eleven. The hat
ter they, evidently considered able to carry arms
as the other day, when in the lava beds saw IAN
Indian Boy, certainly not over twelve years o,aec,
carryinga rife and ammunition.
THE USELESS PEACE COMMISSION.
The subsequent events and the fight OF the L7t.,
OF January have already been fully described, and
need no farther comment. The next move in 'thic
campaign. OF Importance was the arrival OF the
Peace Commission, and here we commence a his
tory OF pa,tical trickery which, although IL may
result in aGuiet settlementof the Modoc troubles,
will be owing mainly to the influence OF Elijah
Steele and the instructions of President Grant
and the common sense Of General Candy. Ever
since MessOs Meacham. Appiegate and Case have
been in seaeion 1t was evident that private in
terests were consulted instead OF the public wei.
fare. Mr.. Aeacham. late Sunern q ndenf Of In
dian Affairs in Oregon, although one OF the most
peacefully disposed Of the three takes every oppor-
tunity that has position affords him to cloak the
misdeeds enacted In his reign by throwing the
0nus upon Captain Knapp, the Indian Agent at
Klamath at that time. He has also .evinced great
eagerness In terretng out the causes and trOu-
b,es leading to this war. With, as some people
say, the charitable view Of establishing the blame
upon his. successor In ONCE, Mr.. OdeneaL Both
Messrs. Case and Apologize are Oregoniaus who
feel It their duty 70 stand by their State, and are