Modoc War -- Surrender of Captain Jack -- June 4, 2023

Weekly Shasta Courier, 07-June-1873

The Modoc War took place in Northern California during 1872 and 1873. Kintpuash (called Captain Jack by white settlers) led a band of Modoc warriors and their families off of the Klamath River Reservation and fortified themselves in the lava beds near Tule Lake. The Modocs wanted a new reservation, separate from that of the Klamath. During a peace negotiation, Modocs killed an army general and a minister. After Kintpuash  surrendered, he and four of his leaders were tried for murder. Jack and three others were hanged and two were sentenced to life on Alcatraz. 

Modocs. -- We have exciting news from the Modoc campaign. General Davis' scooting expedition came up to and surprised Captain Jack's camp, in a canyon of Willow Creek Valley, on the 29th ultimo ; but through a slight miscalculation the whole hand managed to escape except Boston Charley and seven squaws, who surrendered themselves. The expedition continued its chase after the fleeing band of Modocs, and again overlook them in Langell's Valley, when finding escape growing more difficult every hour, after firing a few shots the band offered to surrender. -- Dr. Cabanais, of Yreka, went to the Modoc camp that wight and negotiated a peace, but daring the night Captain Jack and three of his warriors decamped. The balance, including Scar-faced Charley and Schonchin, surrendered next morning.

Weekly Shasta Courier, 07-June-1873

SURRENDER OF CAPTAIN JACK.

Clear Lake, June 1st.

A series of prolonged yells and cheers aroused this camp from a pleasant siesta half an hour after the departure of my last courier. General Davis, General Wheaton and other officers and all the men rushed from the house and tent to find the cause of the uproar, and at once the whole camp was in commotion. Down the level plain north of the house was a grand cavalcade of mounted horsemen. The steeds rushed forward at a furious rate and soon neared the groups of spectators scattered about the premises, "Captain Jack is captured!" shouted a sturdy sergeant. Again the valley echoed with cheers and yells. The mounted command was that of Perry. He had returned from a scout of twenty-three hours. Three miles above the mouth of Willow Creek, at half-past 10 o’clock this morning, the Warm Spring scouts struck a hot trail. After a brief search the Modocs were discovered. Colonel Perry surrounded the Indian retreat. His men were bound to fight.

Suddenly a Modoc shot out from the rocks with a white flag. He met a Warm Spring Indian, and said Jack wanted to surrender. Three scouts were sent to meet Jack He came out cautiously, glanced about him a moment, and then, as giving up all hope, boldly came' forward, unarmed, and held out his hand to his visitors. — Then two of his warriors, five squaws and seven children darted forth and joined him in his surrender. The command that made this famous scout was the First Squadron of the First Cavalry, Colonel D. Perry.