In 1872, the Army set out again to recapture Jack’s tribe, but during surrender negotiations, a fight broke out and the Modoc were able to escape to a natural stronghold encased in lava beds and known as “Captain Jack’s Stronghold.” When they were finally found, U.S. soldiers attacked but failed to capture any of the Indians; instead, the army was thoroughly defeated, with 35 of their men killed and many wounded.
Captain Jack wished for peaceful negotiations, but his Indians adversaries publicly shamed him until, in an attempt to regain influence, he agreed with their plan to call for a meeting with the U.S. commission and kill them all. The plan was partly successful; two leading members were killed, along with General Edward Canby and a Californian clergyman. Unfortunately, however, rather than force them to turn tail, the loss of their general only increased the resolve of the commission, and they returned with a thousand reinforcements, forcing the Modoc to flee. Over the next few months, Jack managed to avoid the Army until he was betrayed by several members of his own tribe. He was convicted for the murder of General Canby and hanged along with several other participants in the attack.
Born. | |
Modoc tribe was moved to the Klamath Reservation, where they suffered at the hands of the Klamath tribe. | |
Led the Modoc people back to their home. | |
Modoc tribe was rounded up and returned to the reservation. | |
Led the Modoc home once more. | |
The Modoc War. | |
Captured and killed. |
Indian Wars in | Indian History for Young Folks by Francis S. Drake |
Captain Jack, Chief of the Modoc Indians in | Famous Indian Chiefs I Have Known by Oliver Otis Howard |
Image Links | ||
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Captain Jack and his companions in Indian History for Young Folks |
Captain Jack's Cave and Stronghold. Lake and Camps in the Distance in Indian History for Young Folks |
Stonewall Jackson | Leading Confederate General of the American Civil War, especially notable at Bull Run. Died at Chancellorsville. |
P.G.T. Beauregard | Confederate general who was influential in the early years of the civil war. |
Robert E. Lee | General of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. |