Modoc - Klamath U.S. War
1872-1873
“Conceive a smooth, hard surface of 80 square miles of hardened lava 500 feet thick, underlaid at frequent intervals with dynamite, then conceive these mines to be exploded at once, breaking the surface into millions of fragments of all shapes and sizes, and piling them into confused heaps over the surface, leaving caves here and there, and deep fissures and chasms, and you have some idea of the region.” - Major Hardin.
Introduction
With news pouring in every day of war in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, we take a look at a west coast war with the Modoc and Klamath and U.S. settlers & soldiers from 1873 as a reminder that the North American continent was not always in such a state of peace. In fact, four centuries of war scoured the continent before the peace in our time that predates anyone in living memory. The country as it stands today did not just happen - it came about through violent struggle, suffering and sacrifice for generation upon generation until a lasting peace could be settled. Less informed narratives arise these days that, while flattering to national image or validation of idealistic pretension, neglect bitter lessons learned from how the country was forged. The peaceful holistic national political state of affairs that the north American continent enjoys today is exceptional. But this state has been around so long how we got here is prone to be forgotten, taken for granted or distorted. They are not. They are brittle. They were constructed through blood sweat and tears, not given by divine providence or just by happenstance. Imagine a day 1, 5 or 50 years from now when the United States finally breaks apart into several smaller countries, as many predict or openly agitate for. 5 centuries from now these micro-cultures with fiercely guarded borders and cultures. Perhaps they will look back to now, compare to a map and wonder in awe at America in the same way many have long been bewildered by how Rome ever existed at all judging by the smorgasbord of far-flung peoples and cultures. Such was the state here too not so long ago. Such is the state on most continents today.
The Modoc & Klamath tribes were south of the Blackfoot. https://crackpot.substack.com/t/blackfoot
Context - Prelude to war
“Let all defensive measures proceed, order no attack until orders are modified or changed by the President, who is disposed to let the peace men try their hands on Captain Jack” - General Sherman. 1873
“I do not believe the Modocs mean treachery. The mission should not be a failure. I understand their unwillingness to confide in you. Continue negotiations. Will consult President and General Canby tomorrow.” - Secretary of Interior.
[1] The gold rush of 1849 brings settlers into a once remote region, the territory of Modoc and Klamath AIndians.
[2] The U.S. pressures the Modoc and Klamath onto a shared reservation. The two tribes clash until the Modoc’s under a Captain Jack leave the reservation.
[3] 1872 Much of the year is spent in preparations under General Canby’s command to pursue the renegade Modocs and bring them back to the reservation peacefully, if possible, or by force, if not.
A Warm Springs Apache scout ventured near the edge of the rocky formation to get his horse and was shot through the head by a hidden Modoc warrior. The men in camp assumed this was an accidental shooting, as they could not see the attacker. I saw a line of Modocs pop up their heads and fire a volley. Men rolled behind saddle and blankets for cover. They hastily pulled on boots and belts under a hailstorm of bullets. The officers were not nearby. There was the possibility of a panic. Seargeant Kely sprang up and shouted, “God dammit! Let’s charge!” It was a beautiful charge, though our losses were heavy. 5 killed 12 wounded out of 50 men. After the shooting stopped, we returned to camp and breakfast.
[1] Nov-Dec 1872 After 11 months of lobbying and marshalling a plan, Captain Jackson leaves Fort Klamath. He encounters Captain Jack and the Modocs. A fight ensues with heavy casualties on both sides. The Modocs flee to Tule Lake and set up a stronghold in nearby lava beds.
[2] April 1873, the U.S. military and civilian militias are at an impasse. After suffering heavy casualties in fighting and with no way to dislodge the Modocs from their lava bed stronghold without suffering more severe casualties, a peace commission is formed to negotiate a settlement without further bloodshed. The commission is made of General Canby, hero of New Mexico who together with the illustrious Kit Carson defeated the besotted General Sibley and turned the confederate forces from Texas back in defeat destroying Confederate and Texan ambitions of expansion to the west, Methodist Reverend Eleazor Thomas, L.S. Dyar the Indian Agent at the Klamath reservation, and chairman A.B. Meacham. The Modocs kill the peace commissioners in a meeting, including General Canby - who would be the highest-ranking American officer killed in the Indian wars. Additionally the Modocs killed a number of settlers in their flight.
The subsequent war featured fierce fighting and heavy losses. At the end the Modocs were defeated. The Modocs Hooker Jim, Bogus Charley, Shacknasty Jim, Captain Jack, Barncho and Sloluk were caught, tried and sentenced. Several, including Captain Jack, were hung straight away. Barncho and Sloluk went to Alcatraz. The other Modocs went to the Klamath reservation. The 1927 rolls reported 209 still living there.
Modocs wore the frontier clothing of white men. The Modocs took refuge in a stronghold fort built into the lava beds. The fort was on the edge of a lake on a high bluff. The Modocs strengthened the natural structure with covered ways and breastworks of loose stones. The fissures, caves and underground passages of the lava bed formed its chambers. The largest cave in the stronghold, a circular crater with overhanging sides, and with several underground passages ways radiating from it, would hold about fifty person. There were several similar caves and fissures which bisected the stronghold and afforded great protection.
This site cheers the departure of Elon Musk from the administration of Donald Trump as a welcome development. Mr. Musk has grandiose, odd ideas, like that humans should populate Mars and space beyond as a long-term survival hedge against a meteor hitting earth. An alien point of view. In this way, we believe Mr. Musk was a dangerous influence in the realm of government and likely to push for public resources into the dubious boondoggles borne of a befogged (besotted?) middle aged singularity visionary psychedelic ideas. We believe peace on earth, rather than trips to Mars, is the long-term survival strategy. The price of peace is sometimes war, sometimes not. We believe mutual interest and respectful transactional cooperation is the surest and most proven path to peace in human affairs. President Trump’s attempt to use his influence end to war in Ukraine failed and only served to get Americans more deeply enmeshed through precious minerals deal tying American economic interests to the region is a concerning development. This indicates that the dynamics of the war are already self-reinforcing and may not be stoppable until they run their course. The lesson from our past in whatever age, the flames of war, once started, are devilishly hard to stop.
References
The Papers of the Order of Indian Wars. 1975. Edited by John M. Carroll. The Old Army Press