[From the New York Herald,
1873; story by Edward Fox]
Yreka, California, March 24, 1873. [By telegraph.]
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he new members of the Peace Commission, Messrs. Dyer, Indian
Agent for Oregon, and the Rev. E. Thomas, of Petaluma, California, are hourly
expected at Van Bremer’s ranch, and we shall probably have divine service next
Sunday in Captain Jack’s cave.
Last Friday General Canby and General Gillem, accompanied by
Colonels Biddle and Perry, and the troops M and F of the First cavalry, made a
reconnoissance of the lava beds. They arrived at the top of the bluffs about
noon, and there the cavalry were dismounted and the Generals surveyed the lava
beds through their field glasses. Several Indians were seen on a ledge of rocks
about a mile distant from the foot of the bluffs, and they shouted for some one
to come down and talk. Acting Assistant Surgeon Cabaness was then half way down
the bluffs, and he immediately asked permission of General Canby to go and see
what they wanted.
His request was granted, and he presently returned, saying
that Captain Jack wished to talk with Generals Canby and Gillem. As he asked
for one more to come down, the Herald
correspondent joined him and returned to the Modocs’ outpost. William and three
other Indians were there in full war paint, and some of them stripped to their
waist, so as to be free from all encumbrances while fighting.
We then agreed that Generals Canby and Gillem were to meet
Captain Jack at a juniper tree situated half way between the foot of the bluffs
and the Modoc outposts. Assistant Surgeon Cabaness then went back to inform
General Canby of the arrangement, and shortly after he had returned from his
mission Captain Jack arrived.
The latter at first objected to going to the juniper tree;
but, as Dr. Cabaness and the Herald
correspondant offered to remain as hostages for his safety, he finally agreed
to the proposition. Jack was accompanied by Scar-faced Charley, the
curly-headed Doctor, Curly Jack and two other Indians.
The talk did not amount to much, as Captain Jack simply
signified his wish for peace and to be left where he was or on Lost River. He
also informed General Canby that if he had anything to give him he might send
it down to the lava beds. He made no answer when General Canby asked him why he
did not come out when the wagons were sent to meet him. As soon as the
conference was over Dr. Cabaness and the Herald
correspondent left the outpost and returned to the top of the bluffs. Two of
the Indians had their shot-pouches covered with scalps that were taken in the
last fight. The troops returned to camp the same evening, arriving at about
midnight.
The Lost River camp was broken up yesterday and the troops
from there went into camp on the east side of the Tule Lake, about three miles
from Captain Jack’s cave.
Major Green, of the First cavalry, arrived at Van Bremer’s
to-day and took command of the troops from Dorris’ and Van Bremer’s, who will
go into camp on Tule Lake at the foot of the bluffs in two or three days, as soon
as the road is passable.
The Rev. Mr. Thomas, the new Peace Commissioner, will arrive
at Van Bremer’s to-morrow evening and join Mr. Meacham.
It is now reported that the Indian Bureau intend giving
Captain Jack a reservation on Lost River. There is no doubt in my mind that
they will not be satisfied with anything else. They will then have to place a
military post on the reservation to protect the Indians from the Oregonians.
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