Last updated: August 16, 2021
Place
Museum - Modoc Indian War Exhibit
NPS Photo, Danny Ortiz
Quick Facts
Location:
800 Main St, Tulelake, Ca 96134
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
2 listed
Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
This was the base camp for the Army during the Modoc War. The stronghold, the Modoc's one half mile square natural fortress of deep crevices and jagged boulders of molten lava is in front of you to the left. The Peace Commission's meeting place tent is to the right.
Modoc in the Tulelake region in the eighteen forties, began objecting to an increasing stream of immigrants. Many pass through, but some stayed, and by the eighteen sixties had ranches or settlements in or near the basin. The Modoc felt crowded and threatened. The settlers feared the Modoc.
Federal officials persuaded the Modoc to leave their land and live with their neighbors, the Klamath Indians.
Though the tribes were similar and related, there was friction, so the Modoc returned to their traditional land on Lost River. Here Modoc leader Captain Jack wanted a reservation.
Instead, settlers pressured the army to move the Modoc back with the Klamath Tribe. On November 29th, 1872, the cavalry from Fort Klamath entered the Modoc camp, ordering them to disarm and return to the reservation.
Words, then shots were exchanged. One soldier was dead and seven wounded. The Modoc headed for the Lava Beds.
At the same time, another band of Modoc, led by sub chief hooker Jim, was attacked. One Modoc was killed, so in their retreat along the north and east shores of Tulelake, the Indians killed every man they met. A total of 14. The Modoc met at the stronghold and waited.
The army gathered strength, finally moving near and set up Gillems camp on January 16th, 1873. The next day, they attacked the stronghold, but because of the rough terrain and dense fog, the attack failed. The army suffered thirty seven casualties. Yet no soldier even saw an Indian.
Modoc lost no one.
The army reinforced while public opinion in the east forced the president to attempt reconciliation. A peace commission consisting of five men under General Canby was formed.
Captain Jack's cousin, Toby Riddle, was married to a white man. She acted as interpreter.
Little progress was made. The army was unable to promise Captain Jack a reservation.
Captain Jack refused to surrender the Indians who killed the settlers. During a council in his stronghold, Hooker Jim and his followers taunted Jack into swearing he would kill Canby. At the next peace meeting, despite warning by Toby Riddle, General Canby and Reverend Thomas were killed, Meacham was shot and half scalped but survived when Toby Riddle yelled that soldiers were coming.
Three days later, the Army attacked again, supported by mortars and howitzers.
After two days of fighting, the Modoc situation was serious. They were cut off from water and harassed by shelling at night. During darkness, the Modoc withdrew and were loose in the Lava Beds.
Pursuit brought more fighting and bloodshed.
Hungry and divided by conflict over leadership, Modoc men, women and children began surrendering in small groups. For nearly five months the Modoc with fewer than 60 fighting men held off in Army 20 times their strength.
It was the most expensive Indian war in the U.S.
It was the only major Indian war in California.
It was the only Indian war in which a general officer was killed.
Continue on to view murals representing local landscapes.
Modoc in the Tulelake region in the eighteen forties, began objecting to an increasing stream of immigrants. Many pass through, but some stayed, and by the eighteen sixties had ranches or settlements in or near the basin. The Modoc felt crowded and threatened. The settlers feared the Modoc.
Federal officials persuaded the Modoc to leave their land and live with their neighbors, the Klamath Indians.
Though the tribes were similar and related, there was friction, so the Modoc returned to their traditional land on Lost River. Here Modoc leader Captain Jack wanted a reservation.
Instead, settlers pressured the army to move the Modoc back with the Klamath Tribe. On November 29th, 1872, the cavalry from Fort Klamath entered the Modoc camp, ordering them to disarm and return to the reservation.
Words, then shots were exchanged. One soldier was dead and seven wounded. The Modoc headed for the Lava Beds.
At the same time, another band of Modoc, led by sub chief hooker Jim, was attacked. One Modoc was killed, so in their retreat along the north and east shores of Tulelake, the Indians killed every man they met. A total of 14. The Modoc met at the stronghold and waited.
The army gathered strength, finally moving near and set up Gillems camp on January 16th, 1873. The next day, they attacked the stronghold, but because of the rough terrain and dense fog, the attack failed. The army suffered thirty seven casualties. Yet no soldier even saw an Indian.
Modoc lost no one.
The army reinforced while public opinion in the east forced the president to attempt reconciliation. A peace commission consisting of five men under General Canby was formed.
Captain Jack's cousin, Toby Riddle, was married to a white man. She acted as interpreter.
Little progress was made. The army was unable to promise Captain Jack a reservation.
Captain Jack refused to surrender the Indians who killed the settlers. During a council in his stronghold, Hooker Jim and his followers taunted Jack into swearing he would kill Canby. At the next peace meeting, despite warning by Toby Riddle, General Canby and Reverend Thomas were killed, Meacham was shot and half scalped but survived when Toby Riddle yelled that soldiers were coming.
Three days later, the Army attacked again, supported by mortars and howitzers.
After two days of fighting, the Modoc situation was serious. They were cut off from water and harassed by shelling at night. During darkness, the Modoc withdrew and were loose in the Lava Beds.
Pursuit brought more fighting and bloodshed.
Hungry and divided by conflict over leadership, Modoc men, women and children began surrendering in small groups. For nearly five months the Modoc with fewer than 60 fighting men held off in Army 20 times their strength.
It was the most expensive Indian war in the U.S.
It was the only major Indian war in California.
It was the only Indian war in which a general officer was killed.
Continue on to view murals representing local landscapes.