Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-13
MODOC.
Kaleidoscope View of the Elephant
An Interview with Gen. JEFF. C. Davis
How He Proposed to Cut the GOrdian
la4 Knot.
Davis's UIteriOr Designs.

lnafJlA COENtucu al GOylC . OdAuP Oh ouhO
9, and tried six deserters. Decision to be
rendered in few days.
Gen. Davis in conversation with special
correspondent of tie Bulletin on June IL,
gave the following statement:
i When arrived in the field l found the
troops engaged in war with band OF H.
dian outlaws and murderers, the wards of
the General Government, who bad revolted
against its authority and were fighting mer
cilessly, neither giving or expecting quarter.
then thought captiVes taken in the future
should be executed on the spot as the surest
and speediest method for the settlement of
the Modoe problem, when captured while
fighting against military forces OF the
United States and as separatiVe nation
or tribe. l was disposed to deal with them
accordingly.
Since the capture have ascertained that
the authorities Of jackson county, Oregon,
had found indictments against certain mem
bers of the band, bat have not deemed it
proper to turn them over 20 the Civil
Courts because they were waging war
against the Government at the time of the
murders upon which the indictments are
based were found; also for the reason that
after capture they were prisoners of the
Government and not directly smenable to
the civil law. 1t Et
During my command here have observ-
ed that citizens, when desiring protection
for person, property or indemnihcation for
loss, invariably appeal TO the authority OF
the United States; but now that the war is
over AMI the maraudsrs are captiyes, both
the pu lie and local authorities want TO take
the punishment of the offenders in their
own hands. The threats ofthe people and
the recent bloody act in this neighborhood,
when four ole defenceless captives en- route
from Fairchild's Rancho to camp were Inur-
d red by civilians, indicate that trial By
the civil law would be a useless farce.
The people have made up their minds that
the prisoners are guilty. -e-..---.-.
1t is suggested that Military Commits
sion would be ordered to try the criminal.
If the idea is carried out, the officers COM
posing the Court should be of high rank
aud men who have had no immediate con-
nection with the Modoc difficulty. Such a
Commission would probably try each case
separately and require about six months 10
perform the work, to say nothing of the ex-
pense involved in such proceedings, an i'm
mense expense to the government. Besides
every DOo1, ClfA shS Nciltco nlAAbAlJ huOuS
that the Indians are guilty Of murder q the
first degree, and ought to hang
thought to avoid the unnecessary ex-
pense of the farce of trial by doing the
work myself. Owing to the dilatory manner
in which the ModCcs were treated by those
in charge in the beginning of these difficult
ties the Indians obtsine fearful advantage
over US and slaughtered so many people
that the country was astonished, even
shocked, and now fear they will get the ad-
vantage in the closing scenes. This same
fear is disturbing the minds OF citizens on
the frontier. Justice has already been very
tardy in coming. She is approaching from
SO many different directions in such ques-
tionable shapes and garbs, doubt her sue
cess in meeting the requirements ofthe case.
The Indi5 rs do lot recognize the jurisdic-
ton Of the civil or military courts, because
incapable of comprehen6ing their workings
These Modocs cannot understand what is
meant by court. They have been inter-
rogated on the subject. They would re-
gard q court trial with its technicalities
and testimony as a kind Of jugglery, and if
convicted and sentenced 10 death, they
could be made to understand that justice
figured in the business at all times. They
believe that they have committed deeds
that merit death, are in fact real murderers
and have merely expected to be hanged.
They believe The military has power and
right to inflict punishment for murder. The
arrests occurred in Oregon and California.
My proposed cou Sc was to settle the ques-
lion by single stroke. The Gordian knot
was to be cut. believe it was OH account
of the prospects of the Indians. They are
cooped up in tents, men, women and
children, guilty and innocent, sll fearing
massacre all the time. They must remain
in this condition of suspense for months
to come. l had procured a number of
chains, ropes and tackle and all the par
aphernalia of execution. l had selected
Friday last as doc Usday. Thursday fore
noon drew up this declaration of charges TO
be read to Jack later in the day.
Davis IndictmenteOf Capt. Jack.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF Co
LUMBIA-In the field, Tule Lake, Cal,
| June. l873.-Jack: Since the white men
first began to travel through or settle in the
country occupied by the Modocs, the people
| of which YOU claim to be one of the chiefs,
| the Modocs have been known as band Of
1nerciless robbers and murderers. The his.
tory of your tribe is filed With murders o.
the white race. Even among your Indian
neighbors you are known as q domineering
| and tyranp ical tribe. Old settlers in tht
country report as many as three hundred
murders committed by your people within
the limits of the present generation Along
the shores of this beautiful little lake in
view of which we now stand are the graves
! ofoyer sixty victims Of Modoc barbsrity
all murdered by your immediate ancestors
in brutality. They were peaceful
emigrants, men, women and children
passing quietly through the country, On The
public highway. For these many crimes
no ADEQUATE punishment has ever beer
visited upon the guilty either as a tribe o.
individually. Upon the contrary, the gov
eminent has lately overlooked them.
few years ago, regardless of these acts o
treachery, it gave you reservation for ;
home, where, if you chose, you could re
main to enjoy the annual bounties of tht
government unmolested. You all wen
upon the reservation thus provided, ant
part of your tribe has remained. But yol
and your band seem to preferred the wa
path. You left the reservation. Yol
spurned the kindness of the government
even resisted the soldiers in the execution
of their duties to force you b. OK to tn
reservation. You hasten to war, emulatin!
the bloody deeds Of your fathers. 1o
again streWed the shores of Tule Lake witt
the slain victims Of your bloody band. A
these victims were peaceful citizens, unsus
pecting, slaughtered while st their dali
svocations. You then fed to your strong
J hold in the lava bed, prepared for war an
defied the power of the government. Sti
President Washington ordered the soldier
to desist until the peace COMM:
sioners could have a talk with yoU
and if possible avoid shedding MOI
, blood. Their efforts were fruitless. Ate
much delay and many attempts at concilis
ton on their part, you decoyed the commt
sioners into your hands, armed or unarmei
These acts have placed you and your ban
outsiGe the rules of civilized warfare. L
,, other words you have made yourselves on
laws. As such since my arrival here q
the successor of Gen. Candy, whom 20
murdered with your own hands, L hay
: made unremitting warfare upon you, unit
at last you have been captured after muC
i expense to the government and loss of man
and valuable lives. Now that l have r.
counted your history, that OF your trit
and the recent acts of yourself and band,
will close this interview by informing &c
Ihave this day directed that you and col
federates, members of your band,be execute
at sunset tomorrow in the presence
: Rooms paroIed for that purpose, your Peep