USA > Oregon > History of Oregon, Vol. II, 1848-1888 > Part 59
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On the following morning Boston Charley brought a message from Jack to Roseborough, asking for an- other interview, to which consent was refused until Jack should have made up his mind; when Boston
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THE MODOC WAR.
cunningly remarked that the Modocs might surrender that day. Roseborough being deceived into thinking that they so intended, Toby Riddle was immediately sent to Jack with a message encouraging him in this purpose. The proposition was not only declined, but in such a manner that on her return Toby assured the commissioners and General Canby that it would not be safe for them to meet the Modocs in council. This information was lightly treated by Canby and Thomas, but was regarded as of inore consequence by Meacham and Dyar. Jack had succeeded in allaying the apprehensions of treachery once entertained by Canby, by his apparently weak and vacillating course, which appeared more like the obstinacy of a spoiled child than the resolution of a desperate man. The military, too, were disposed to regard Jack's attach- ment to the region about Tule Lake as highly patri- otic, and to see in it something romantic and touching. These influences were at that critical juncture of affairs undermining the better judgment of the army.75
On the morning of the 8th of April Jack sent a messenger to the commissioner to request a meeting at the council-tent, the former to be accompanied by six unarmed Modocs. But the signal-officer at the station overlooking the lava-beds reporting six Indians at the council-tent, and twenty more armed in the rocks behind them, the invitation was declined. Jack un- derstood from this rejection of his overtures that he was suspected, and that whatever he did must be done quickly. If the truth must be told, in point of natural sagacity, diplomatic ability, genius, this savage was more than a match for them all. His plans so
75 In Meacham's special report he points out that Thomas was indiscreet in his intercourse with the Modocs. He questioned one of them as to the truth of Toby's report that it would not be safe for the commissioners to meet Jack, which was denied; and on being asked in turn who told him, he said Toby Riddle-a dangerons breach of trust, exposing Toby to the wrath of the Mo- docs. Gillem also informed this same Indian 'that unless peace was made very soon he would move up near the Modoc stronghold, and that one hundred Warm Spring Indians would be added to the army within a few days.' Ind. Ajf. Rept, 1873, 77.
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PRECAUTIONS NEGLECTED.
far had been well devised. His baffling course had secured him the delay until spring should open suffi- ciently to allow him to fly to the Shoshones, when, by throwing the army into confusion, the opportunity should be afforded of escape from the lava-beds with all his followers.
On the morning of the 10th Boston Charley, Hooker Jim, Dave, and Whim visited headquarters, bringing a proposition from Jack that Canby, Gillem, and the peace commissioners should meet the Modocs in council. He was answered by a proposition in writing, which Riddle read to them, containing the former terms of a general amnesty and a reservation in a warmer climate. Jack's conduct was not encour- aging. He threw the paper upon the ground, saying he had no use for it; he was not a white man, and could not read. Light remarks were uttered concern- ing the commissioners. Beef was being dried, and breastworks thrown up, strengthening certain points, all of which indicated preparations for war rather than peace. Jack, however, agreed to meeting the commissioners if they would come a mile beyond the council-tent.
Notwithstanding all these ominous signs, and the advice of Riddle to the contrary, it was finally set- tled at a meeting of the peace commissioners, Thomas in the chair, that a conference should take place be- tween them and Canby on one side and Jack and five Modocs on the other, both parties to go without arms. The 11th was the day set for the council, and the place indicated by Jack accepted. After this decis- ion was arrived at, Riddle still advised Canby to send twenty-five or thirty men to secrete themselves in the rocks near the council-ground, as a guard against any treacherous movement on the part of the Indians. But to this proposal Canby replied that it would be an insult to Captain Jack to which he could not con- sent; and that besides, the probable discovery of such a movement would lead to hostilities. In this he was
HIST. OR., VOL. II. 39
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THE MODOC WAR.
not mistaken, for Bogus Charley and Boston Charley spent the night in Gillem's camp, remaining until after the commissioners had gone to the rendezvous.76
The place chosen by Jack was a depression among the rocks favorable to an ambuscade, and Meacham, who had not been present when the meeting was de- termined upon, strenuously objected to placing the com- mission in so evident a trap, but yielded, as did Dyar, to the wishes of Canby and Thomas, one of whom trusted in the army and the other in God to see them safely through with the conference.77 So earnest was Riddle not to be blamed for anything which might happen, that he requested all the commissioners and Canby to accompany him to Gillem's tent, that officer being ill, where he might make a formal protest; and where he plainly admitted that he consented to make one of the party rather than be called a cow- ard, and advised that concealed weapons should be carried. To this proposition Canby and Thomas punctiliously objected, but Meacham and Dyar con- cealed each a small pistol to be used in case of an attack.
At the time appointed, the peace commissioners re- paired to the rendezvous, Meacham, Dyar, and Toby riding, and the others walking, followed by Bogus and Boston from the military camp, which gave Jack just double the number of the commissioners, of whom Canby was to be considered as one. All sat down in a semicircular group about a camp-fire. Canby of- fered the Modocs cigars, which were accepted, and all smoked for a little while. The general then opened the council, speaking in a fatherly way: say-
76 H. Ex. Doc., 122, 139, 43d cong. Ist scss.
77 Canby said that the Modocs dare not attack with Mason's force where it could be thrown into the stronghold before the Modocs could return to it. Thomas said that God almighty would not let any such body of men be hurt that was on as good a mission as that. 'I told him,' says Riddle, 'that he might trust in God, but that I didn't trust any of them Indians.' Meacham, in his Wigwam and Warpath, published two or three years after the war, says that the Modocs, perceiving the doctor's religious bent, pretended to have their hearts softened and to desire peace from good motives, which hypocrisy deceived him. I do not find anything anywhere else to sustain this assertion.
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THE FINAL CONFERENCE.
ing he had for many years been acquainted with Indians; that he came to the council to have a kindly talk with them and conclude a peace, and that whatever he promised them they could rely upon. Meacham and Thomas followed, encouraging them to look forward to a happier home, where the bloody scenes of Lost River could be forgotten.
In reply, Jack said he had given up Lost River, but he knew nothing of other countries, and he re- quired Cottonwood and Willow creeks in place of it and the lava-beds. While the conference had been going on, several significant incidents had occurred. Seeing another white man approaching along the trail from camp, and that the Indians appeared uneasy, Dyar mounted and rode out to meet the intruder and turn him back. When he returned he did not rejoin the circle, but remained a little way behind, reclining upon the ground, holding his horse. While Meacham was talking and Sconchin making some disrespectful comments in his own tongue, Hooker Jim arose, and going to Meacham's horse, took his overcoat from the horn of the saddle, putting it on, and making some moeking gestures, after which he asked in English if he did not resemble "old man Meacham."
The affront and all that it signified was understood by every man there; but not wishing to show any alarm, and anxious to catch the eye of Canby, Mea- cham looked toward the general, and inquired if he had anything more to say. Calmly that officer arose, and related in a pleasant voice how one tribe of Ind- ians had elected him chief, and given him a name sig- nifying "Indian's friend;" and how another had made him a chief, and given him the name of "The tall man;" and that the president of the United States had ordered him to this duty he was upon, and he had no power to remove the troops without authority from the president.
Sconchin replied by reiterating the demand for Willow and Cottonwood creeks, and for the removal
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THE MODOC WAR.
of the troops. While Sconchin's remarks were being interpreted, Jack arose and walked behind Dyar's horse, returning to his place opposite Canby a moment later. As he took his position, two Indians suddenly appeared, as if rising out of the ground, carrying each a number of guns. Every man sprang to his feet as Jack gave the word, "all ready," in his own tongue, and drawing a revolver from his breast fired at the general. Simultaneously Sconchin fired on Meacham, and Boston Charley on Thomas. At the first motion of Jack to fire, Dyar, who was a very tall man and had the advantage of a few feet in distance, started to run, pursued by Hooker Jim. When he had gone a hundred and fifty rods, finding himself hard pressed, he turned and fired his pistol, which checked the ad- vance of the enemy. By repeating this manœuvre several times, he escaped to the picket-line. Riddle also escaped by running, and Toby, after being given one blow, was permitted to follow her husband. General Canby was shot through the head. Thomas was also shot dead; and both were instantly stripped naked. Meacham had five bullet-wounds, and a knife- cut on the head. He was stripped and left for dead, but revived on the arrival of the troops.
While the commissioners were smoking and con- versing with the Modocs, a preliminary part of the tragedy was being enacted on another part of the field. An Indian was discovered by the picket about Ma- son's camp carrying a white flag, a sign of a desire to see some of the officers, and Lieutenant W. L. Sher- wood, officer of the day, was sent by the colonel to meet the bearer and learn his errand. Sherwood soon returned with the report that some Modocs de- sired an interview with the commander of the post; when Mason sent them word to come within the lines if they wished to see him. Lieutenant Boyle, who happened to be present, asked permission to accom- pany Sherwood, when the two officers walked out to meet the flag-bearer, half a mile outside the pickets.
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MURDER OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
On the way they encountered three Indians, who in- quired if Boyle was the commanding officer, and who invited them to go on to where the flag-bearer awaited them. Something in their manner convincing the officers of treachery, they declined, saying that if the Indians desired to talk they must come within the lines, and turned back to camp. The Indians then commenced firing, Sherwood and Boyle running and dodging among the rocks, being without arms. Sher- wood soon fell, mortally wounded, but Boyle escaped, being covered by the guns of the pickets.
The officer at the signal-station overlooking Mason's camp immediately telegraphed General Gillen what had occurred, and preparations were at once made to send T. T. Cabaniss to warn General Canby, but be- fore the message was ready the signal-officer reported firing on the council-ground.
At this word the troops turned out, Sergeant Wooton of company K, Ist cavalry, leading a detach- ment without orders. The wildest confusion pre- vailed, yet in the sole intent, if possible, to save the life of the general whom they all loved and venerated, there was unity of purpose. Before the troops reached the council-ground they were met by Dyar, with the story of the fatal catastrophe, and on arriv- ing at the spot, Meacham was discovered to be alive. Jack had retreated to his stronghold, the troops fol- lowing for half a mile, but finally retreating to camp for the night.78
As might have been expected, a profound excite- ment followed upon the news of the disastrous wind- ing-up of the peace commission. At Yreka Delano was hanged in effigy. At Portland the funeral honors
78 Cabaniss, who was personally strongly attached to Canby, wrote an in- teresting and highly colored account of the incidents just prior to and suc- ceeding the massacre, for the Eureka, Cal., West Coast Signal, April 19, 1573. Various accounts appeared in the newspapers of that date, and in Fitzgerald's Cal. Sketches, 140; Simpson's Meeting the Sun, 356-83; and Meacham's Wig- wam and Warpath, written to justify his own want of judgment and conceal his want of honesty.
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THE MODOC WAR.
paid to Canby were almost equal to those paid to Lincoln.79
One general expression of rage and desire for revenge was uttered over the whole country, east as well as west; and very few shrank from demanding extermi- nation for the murderers of a major-general of the United States army and a methodist preacher, though little enough had been the sympathy extended by the east to the eighteen hard-working, undistinguished citizens of the Oregon frontier 80 massacred by these same Modocs.
The president authorized Sherman to order Scho- field, commanding the division of the Pacific, "to make the attack so strong and persistent that their fate may be commensurate with their crime;" to which Sherman added, "You will be fully justified in their utter extermination." Many expedients were sug-
79 Edward R. S. Canby was born in Kentucky in 1817, and appointed to the military academy at West Point from Indiana. He graduated in 1839, and was made 2d lieut. He served in the Florida war, and removed the Ind- ians to Arkansas in 1842. From 1846 to 1848 he served in Mexico, and was at the siege of Vera Cruz, the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and Churubusco, where he was brevetted major for gallant conduct; was at the as- sault and capture of the City of Mexico, where he was brevetted lieut-col; was commander of the division of the Pacific from 1849 to 1851, after which he was four years in the adj. gen. office at Washington. From 1855 to the breaking out of the rebellion he was on frontier duty. He served through the civil war as colonel of the 19th inf. in the dep. of New Mexico; was made brig. - gen. of U. S. volunteers in March 1862; was detached to take command of the city and harbor of New York to suppress draft riots; was made maj .- gen. of volunteers in 1864, in command of the military division of west Missis- sippi; was brevetted brig. gen. of the U. S. army in 1865 for gallant conduct at the battle of Valverde, New Mexico; and was brevetted maj. - gen. U. S. army for gallant and meritorious services at the capture of Fort Blakely and Mobile. He commanded the military district of North and South Carolina from September 1867 to September 1868, and was afterward placed in com- maud of Texas, and then of Va, where he remained until transferred to Or. in 1870. He was tall and soldierly in appearance, with a benevolent countenance. He had very little money saved at the time of his death, and a few citizens of Portland gave five thousand dollars to his widow. It is stated that a brother was stricken with sudden iusanity on hearing of his fate. Santa Barbara Index, July 17, 1873. Rev. E. Thomas was a minister in the methodist denomination. He was in charge of a Niag- ara-street church in Buffalo, New York, in 1853; came to Cal. in 1865, where he was agent for the Methodist Book Concern; for several years was editor of the Cal. Christian Advocate, and at the time of his death was presiding elder of the Petaluma district of the Cal. M. E. Conference. He left a wife and three children. Oregonian, April 14, 1873.
80 See Washington despatches, in Portland Oregonian, April 15, 1873; N. Y. Herald, April 20, 1873; London Times, April 16, 1873.
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HOSTILITIES RESUMED.
gested in the public prints to force the Modocs out of their caves in the lava-beds, such as sharp-shooters to pick them off at long range; steel armor for the sol- diers; the employment of blood-hounds, and of sulphur smoke.81 But fortunately for the reputation of the American people, none of these methods were resorted to, the public being left to exhaust its hostility in harmless suggestions. 82
The troops had at no time regarded the peace com- mission with favor, any more than had the people best acquainted with the character of the Modocs. Those who fought on the 17th of January were dis- pleased with the removal of Wheaton from the com- mand, and had seen nothing yet in Gillem to lessen their dissatisfaction. They were now anxious to fight, and impatiently awaiting the command, which they with other observers thought a long time coming.
On the day after the massacre Mason moved to the south of the stronghold six miles. His line was at- tacked by the Modocs, forcing the left picket to give way, which position was, however, retaken by Lieu- tenant E. R. Thellar with a portion of company I of the 21st infantry. Skirmishing was kept up all day and a part of the 13th. At length, on the 14th, Gil- lem telegraphed to Mason, asking if he could be ready to advance on the stronghold on the next morning; to which Mason replied that he preferred to get into position that night. To this Gillem consented, order- ing him not to make any persistent attack, but to shelter his men as well as possible. Donald McKay's company of Warm Spring scouts, engaged by Canby when it began to appear that hostilities would be re- sumed, had arrived, and was posted on Mason's left, with orders to work around toward Green's right.
The movement began at midnight, and before day-
81 See letter of A. Hamilton to the secretary of the interior, in H. Ex. Doc., 122, 287, 43d cong. Ist sess.
82 Portland Bulletin, March 8 and 15, and April 2, 4, 19, 28, 1873; Jackson- ville Sentinel, May 3, 1873; Roseburg Plaindealer, May 2 and June 27, 1873.
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THE MODOC WAR.
light the troops were in position, about four hundred yards east of the stronghold, the right of the infantry under Captain Burton resting on the lake, and Ber- nard's troop dismounted on the left, with a section of mountain howitzers, held subject to order, under Lieu- tenant E. S. Chapin. Breastworks of stone were thrown up to conceal the exact position of the troops. On the west side of the lake Perry and Cresson moved at two o'clock in the morning to a point beyond the main position of the Modocs on the south, where they concealed their troops and waited to be joined at day- light by the infantry and artillery under Miller and Throckmorton, with Colonel Green and staff. Miller had the extreme right, and the cavalry the extreme left touching the lake, while Throekmorton's artillery and two companies of infantry were in the centre.
The day was warm and still, and the movement to close in began early. The first shots were received a mile and a half from Jack's stronghold on the west, while the troops were advancing in open skirmish or- der along the lake shore, sheltering themselves as best they could under cover of the rocks in their path. On reaching the gorge under the bluff a galling fire was poured upon them from the rocks above, where a strong party of Modocs were stationed. Mason was doing all that he could to divide the attention of the Indians while the army passed this dangerous point, and the reserves coming up, a charge was made which compelled the Modocs to retire, and their position was taken.
At two o'clock the order was given to advance the mortars under Thomas and Cranston, and Howe of the 4th artillery. By half-past four they were in position, and the left of the line on the west had reached a point opposite the stronghold. By five o'clock the mortars began throwing shells into the stronghold, which checked the Modoc firing. So far all went well. The bluff remained in the possession of Miller's men, between whom and the main plateau, or mesa, in
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FIGHT IN THE LAVA-BEDS.
which the caves are situated, only two ledges of rock intervened. On Mason's side, also, the outer line of the Modoc defences was abandoned. At six o'clock the mortars were again moved forward, and by night- fall the troops in front of the stronghold were ready to scale the heights. At midnight Mason's troops took up the position abandoned by the Modocs, within one hundred yards of their defences.
Their last position was now nearly surrounded, but they fought the troops on every side, indicating more strength than they were supposed to possess. The troops remained upon the field, and mortar practice was kept up throughout the night at intervals of ten minutes. In the morning, Mason's force with the Warm Spring scouts being found in possession of the mesa, the Modocs abandoned their stronghold, passing out by unseen trails, and getting on Mason's left, prevented his joining with Green's right. Subse- quently, he was ordered to advance his right and join Green on the shore of the lake, which cut the Indians off from water.
By ten o'clock in the forenoon Green's line had reached the top of the bluff nearest the stronghold, meeting little opposition, but i' was decided not to push the troops at this point, as there might be heavy loss without any gain, and the want of water must soon force the Modocs out of their caverns and de- fences, while it was not probable they could find a stronger position anywhere. The day's work consisted simply of skirmishings. No junction was effected between Mason and Green on the west; the principal resistance offered being to this movement.
In the evening Thomas dropped two shells into the Modoc camp-fire, causing cries of rage and pain. After this the Indians showed themselves, and chal- lenged the soldiers to do the same; but the latter were hidden behind stone breastworks, five or six in a place, with orders not to allow themselves to be surprised in these little forts, built at night; they also caught a little
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THE MODOC WAR.
sleep, two at a time, while the others watched.83 The second day ended with some further advances upon the stronghold, and with the batteries in better position. The blaze of musketry along the lake shore at nine o'clock in the evening, when the Modocs endeavored to break through the lines to get to water, was like the flash of flames when a prairie is on fire. The troops remained again over night on the field, having only coffee served hot with their rations.
On the morning of the 17th Green's and Mason's lines met without impediment, and a general move- ment was made to sweep the lava-beds, the Indians seeming to rally about eleven o'clock, and to oppose the approach to their famous position. But this was only a feint, and when the troops arrived at the caves the Modocs had utterly vanished. Then it appeared why they had so hotly contested the ground between Mason and Green. An examination showed a fissure in the pedregal leading from the caverns to the distant hills, which pass had been so marked that it could be followed in the darkness, and through it had been conveyed the families and property of the Modocs to a place of safety.
The loss of the army in the two days' engagements was five killed and twelve wounded. On the third day a citizen of Yreka, a teamster, was killed, and his team captured. Seventeen Indians were believed to be killed.
The consternation which prevailed when it became known that Jack had escaped with his band was equal to that after the massacre of the peace commissioners; but the worst was yet to come. From the smoke of large fires observed in the south-east, it was conjectured that the Indians were burning their dead, and fleeing in that direction, and the cavalry was ordered to pursue, Perry setting out the 18th to make a circuit of the lava-beds, a march of eighty miles. The Warm
88 Boyle's Conduct of the Modoc War, MS., 28.
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ESCAPE OF THE INDIANS.
Spring scouts also were scouring the country toward the east. In the mean time Mason was ordered to hold the Modoc fortress, while his camp at Hospital Rock was removed to the camp at Scorpion Point, on the east side of the lake. This left the trail along the south side exposed to attack from the enemy's scouts. On the afternoon of the 18th they appeared on a ridge two miles off, and also at nearer points during the day, firing occasional shots. On the morn- ing of the 19th they attacked a mule pack-train on its way from Scorpion Point to supply Mason at the stronghold, escorted by Lieutenant Howe with twenty men, and were repulsed. Lieutenant P. Leary, in coming to meet the train with an escort, had one man killed and one wounded; and Howe, on entering the lava-beds, both coming and returning, was fired on. A shell dropped among them dispersed them for that day; but on the 20th they again showed themselves, going to the lake for water, and fired on the Warm Spring scouts, who were burying one of their company killed on the 17th. They even bathed themselves in the lake, in plain view of the astonished soldiery in camp. After two days, Perry's and McKay's com- mands came in without having seen a Modoc.
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