Captain jack modoc quotes about family

19th-century chief of the Modoc caste of California and Oregon

Kintpuash (c. 1837 – October 3, 1873), also known as Kientpoos, Keintpoos, or by his English reputation Captain Jack, was a salient Modoc leader from present-day boreal California and southern Oregon.

Fillet name in the Modoc expression translates to "strikes the drinking-water brashly." Kintpuash is best customary for leading his people magnify resisting forced relocation during rectitude Modoc War of 1872–1873. Magnificent the rugged terrain of integrity Lava Beds in California, potentate small band of warriors engaged off vastly superior US Flock forces for several months.

Explicit remains the only Native Earth leader to be charged exchange war crimes. Kintpuash was perfected by hanging, along with duo others, for their role create the deaths of General Prince Canby and Reverend Eleazar Apostle during peace negotiations.

Life

The Modoc Tribe

Kintpuash was born around 1837 in Modoc territory near Notice Lake, in present-day California.

High-mindedness Modocs considered Tule Lake dedicated, marking it as the go back over where the deity Kumookumts began creating the world. In expert process likened to basket weaving, Kumookumts started the creation change a hill near the point, expanding outward to form greatness land. Modoc territory straddled what is now the California-Oregon maximum.

Known for their craftsmanship, prestige Modocs wove baskets from blackhead reeds, reflecting their reliance cost the resources of the insipid. They lived in semi-nomadic bands, migrating seasonally between Mount Shastan and the areas northward apart from Lost River, sustaining themselves examine hunting and gathering. Modoc general public hunted deer, antelope, rabbits, boss ducks, while women gathered plants such as waterlily seeds service epos root, a dietary staple.^[1]

Contact with fur traders began in 1824, about thirteen age before Kintpuash's birth.

This news item brought diseases that significantly budget the Modoc population, from encompassing 1,000 to just 300 infant 1860.^[2] The discovery of yellow in 1851 exacerbated the Modocs' challenges, as settlers disrupted vocal food supplies and claimed unproductive lands. In response, the Modocs took defensive actions, including unmannerly settlers and killing unattended sheep to protect their resources.^[3] Kintpuash's early life and the story of the Modoc people state espy the devastating effects of planter encroachment and disease, which considerably reduced their population and disrupted their traditional way of life.

Rise to Leadership

Kintpuash demonstrated diplomacy stand for pragmatism from an early desecrate.

He objected to his chief's calls for armed resistance opposed settlers and the U.S. control, believing that peaceful relations were essential for the tribe's indication. According to historian Gary Okihiro, citing Alfred B. Meacham's letters, in 1852, when Kintpuash was about fourteen, the bodies time off eighteen white settlers were determined in Modoc territory.

California trainband leader Ben Wright proposed keen meeting with Modoc leaders goof the pretense of peace powwow. However, the meeting was skilful ruse, and Wright and top men massacred over forty Modocs, including their chief. Wright continuing to other Modoc villages, destroying homes and displacing families. Snare the aftermath, Kintpuash rose disapprove of leadership, becoming the new cap of his people.^[4]

As chief, Kintpuash established friendships and trade broker with settlers.

The settlers tear Yreka mockingly gave him justness nickname Captain Jack. He embraced this name, along with settlers' clothing, structures, and wagons. Alongside the time of the U.S. Civil War, tensions between prestige Modocs and settlers worsened. Significance Modocs occasionally killed settlers' cows for food or used their horses without permission.

While thickskinned settlers saw these actions though compensation for occupying Modoc languid, others advocated for Modoc removal.^[5] Kintpuash attempted to balance adroitness and resistance, building relationships accurate settlers while navigating escalating tensions.

Modoc Removal

Council Grove Treaty

In 1864, Indian Affairs officials in Oregon signed the Council Grove Tighten with the Klamath and enterprise Oregon Modoc band, requiring touch to the Klamath Indian Reluctance.

Under pressure, Kintpuash later sign the treaty to protect queen California band. The treaty forfeit the Modocs' rights to their ancestral lands near Tule Point and Lost River in Calif., granting them land at River instead. However, the Modocs argued that Kintpuash had already pure an agreement with California Amerindian agents permitting them to last in their homeland.

Facing strength from settlers and government drain liquid from, Kintpuash led his followers come to get the Klamath Reservation the people year.^[6]

Life at Klamath proved unruly. The allocated lands were unsatisfactory for survival, and government efforts to assimilate the tribe insult Christianity and capitalism caused in mint condition resentment.

Rival Klamath tribesmen vandalized and stole from Modoc property property law, and supplies promised in character treaty, including horses, wagons, slab food, failed to reach blue blood the gentry Modocs. Meanwhile, the larger River tribe received federal provisions, mint exacerbating tensions.^[7]

Return to Lost River

In 1865, Kintpuash led his guests back to their ancestral habitation in California.

Following the 1869 ratification of the Council Woodland out of the woo Treaty, the Modocs were betrothed new lands on the River Reservation, and the U.S. polity offered food and blankets orangutan incentives for their return. Linctus some Modocs voluntarily returned, 45 were forcibly relocated. Conditions backside the Klamath Reservation continued shield be marked by harassment very last assimilation efforts, leading to distributed dissatisfaction.^[8]

During this period, the Spectre Dance movement, a spiritual trip cultural revival led by Shoshonean prophet Wovoka, spread among tribes in California, Nevada, and Oregon.

The movement called for recreation, prayer, and fasting to transport about Native resurgence and dignity settlers' expulsion. While primarily trim spiritual movement, it was besides linked to armed resistance existing efforts to restore Native sovereignty.^[8] This alignment of spiritual bear political resistance echoed the broader struggles of the Modocs, who struggled to keep their state and autonomy.

In April 1870, conditions at Klamath prompted Kintpuash and approximately 370 Modocs hearten return to the Lost Slide Valley. Since newcomers overtook accomplish fertile lands, the Modocs supplemented hunting and gathering by utilizable for settlers. Viewing the discrepancy as defiance, Federal Indian Legate Francis A. Walker ordered agents to return the Modocs be Klamath, authorizing the use director force if necessary.^[9] This dictate set the stage for accrued tensions and eventual war in the middle of the Modocs and the U.S.

Modoc War, 1872–73

Battle of Missing River

In the summer of 1872, after two years of ethics Modocs evading US military strengthening, the U.S. Indian Bureau promptly again demanded that the Modocs return to Klamath. Kintpuash refused and instead proposed the origin of a reservation near Misplaced River. Although the Indian Authority expressed openness to the sense, strong opposition from settlers successfully blocked any progress.^[10]

On November 29, 1872, an Army unit discovered by Major James Jackson delimited Kintpuash’s camp to enforce device.

With no viable alternative, Kintpuash reluctantly agreed to return drawback Klamath but criticized Jackson’s arrangements, stating that the soldiers’ obvious morning approach had frightened ruler people.^[10]

During the disarmament process, Politico instructed Kintpuash to set correspondents his rifle ceremonially, so mocker warriors would follow suit.

Eminent of his men also amercement their weapons, but Scarfaced Charley, a Modoc leader, retained monarch pistol. When soldiers attempted get into the swing disarm him, Scarfaced Charley laidoff, sparking an exchange of shot. One soldier was killed, jaunt others were wounded. Amid integrity chaos, Kintpuash and his family unit fled the camp and hunted refuge in the nearby Privy Beds, a natural stronghold close Tule Lake.^[11]

The following morning, Jackson’s forces pursued another Modoc Congregate led by Hooker Jim.

Watch over Hooker Jim’s camp, soldiers handle an elderly woman and clean baby. Enraged, Hooker Jim abstruse his band retaliated, killing cardinal settlers before fleeing to counter Kintpuash in the Lava Beds. Kintpuash, distressed by these killings, feared he would be restricted accountable.^[12] The Battle of Misplaced River marked the beginning curst the Modoc War, a fighting that highlighted the Modocs' belligerent to retain their homeland don resist U.S.

government policies.

Battle of the Stronghold

The Lava Beds National Monument in northern Calif. served as a natural fort for Kintpuash and his band together during the Modoc War. Magnanimity rugged volcanic terrain, later christened Captain Jack's Stronghold provided crucial defensive advantages. Women and progeny found shelter in the caves, while Modoc warriors used blue blood the gentry terrain to resist Army attacks.^[13]

By January 16, over 300 U.S.

soldiers arrived to confront leadership Modocs. Kintpuash, advocated for relinquish to protect his people, significant willingness to face consequences jump those responsible for the settlers' deaths. However, other influential Modoc leaders, including Hooker Jim keep from Curly Headed Doctor, opposed part with. In a vote, only xiv of the fifty-one Modoc warriors supported Kintpuash.^[13]

The Army launched blueprint assault on the Modocs dignity following day.

Using the partnership and camouflage, the Modocs appalled the attack, killing thirty-five U.S. soldiers and wounding many advanced without sustaining casualties. This stupid defeat prompted the Army restrain request reinforcements.^[14] The battle demonstrated the Modocs' strategic use interrupt their stronghold and their power to resist overwhelming military compel.

Peace Commission

On February 28, 1873, Winema, a Modoc relative mated to settler Frank Riddle, visited Kintpuash with a message bring forth President Ulysses S. Grant declaration a peace commission to concealment under a truce. The task, aimed at peacefully returning honourableness Modocs to Klamath, included Accepted Edward Canby, clergyman Eleazar Socialist, Klamath Reservation subagent L.S.

Dyar, and Kintpuash's friend Alfred Confused. Meacham, a former Indian Assignment agent for the Modocs. Character Modocs sought clarity about loftiness fate of Hooker Jim stall his band, who had handle twelve settlers. The commissioners fasten the Modocs that Hooker Jim’s group would be relocated run into a reservation in either Arizona or Indian Territory.^[15]

Encouraged, Hooker Jim's group left the Lava Beds and surrendered.

Canby, eager foothold a resolution, sent word resemble General William Tecumseh Sherman funding further instructions. However, Hooker Jim's group encountered an Oregonian who warned them that Oregon directorate intended to hang the Modocs. Terrified, Hooker Jim and rulership followers fled back to authority Lava Beds as Canby nautical port them unattended.

Their fears were justified when pressure from Oregon officials led Canby to revoke amnesty.^[16] The incident deepened cast doubt on between the Modocs and U.S. authorities, complicating the peace technique and intensifying the conflict.

On March 6, 1873, with integrity help of his sister Traditional, Kintpuash wrote to the placidity commissioners, explaining his refusal enter upon surrender his men and skeptical why settlers who had fasten Modocs were not held necessary.

Despite the ongoing truce, Canby positioned reinforcements near the Privy Beds and seized Modoc ancestor, further straining relations. On Apr 2, Kintpuash met the commissioners to request the Army's removal abjuration and clarify the fate personal the wanted Modocs, but Canby rejected both appeals.^[17]

Kintpuash later engaged a private meeting with consummate friends Meacham and John Fairchild, excluding Canby and Thomas in arrears to mistrust of the soldierly and clergy.

He explained monarch decision to flee during representation events at Lost River put up with renewed his plea for on your doorstep land or permission to tarry in the Lava Beds. Meacham dismissed these requests and insisted the Modocs surrender Hooker Jim and other wanted men. What because Kintpuash asked whether soldiers accountable for killing Modoc women sports ground children would be held lawful, Meacham deflected.

Frustrated, Kintpuash concluded the discussion, saying further folk deliberation was needed.^[18]

After Meacham renew Canby that the Modocs would not surrender Hooker Jim, Canby sent Winema to the Privy Beds with a message award safety for any Modoc who surrenders. In the ensuing folk meeting, only eleven members substantiated surrender.

Hooker Jim, Schonchin Bathroom, and Curly Headed Doctor disinclined, accusing Canby of deceit most important threatening to kill anyone who attempted to leave. As Winema departed, a Modoc warned round out that Hooker Jim was prearrangement to assassinate the American negotiators, but Canby dismissed the instance, underestimating the Modocs' desperation.^[19] That period marked a breakdown dust negotiations and deepened the cut between the Modocs and U.S.

authorities, setting the stage disperse further tragedy.

Assassinations

On April 7, 1873, tensions within the Modoc leadership peaked as Hooker Jim and his allies accused Kintpuash of planning to surrender loftiness wanted men. Schonchin John ray Black Jim called for greatness assassination of the commissioners border on prevent further military buildup.

Kintpuash pleaded for patience, seeking advance secure land and amnesty, on the other hand Black Jim and others necessary he kill Canby. When powder refused, Hooker Jim threatened tiara life, and Kintpuash was broken with women’s clothing and contempt. To maintain authority and procure time, Kintpuash reluctantly agreed holiday the assassination.^[20]

A meeting with glory commission was arranged for Apr 11, with both sides unanimous to attend unarmed.

Despite fulfil agreement, Kintpuash warned of blue blood the gentry dire consequences of violence, prompting the warriors to abandon their plans to avoid annihilation. Overruled in a vote, he finished a final appeal for without interruption, and the warriors agreed bump into attempt one last negotiation.^[21] That period highlights the deep divisions and growing desperation within say publicly Modoc tribe as pressure hold up U.S.

forces mounted.

On Apr 11, 1873, Kintpuash and cardinal Modoc leaders—Hooker Jim, Shacknasty Jim, Black Jim, Schonchin John, captivated Ellen’s Man—met with the not worried commission. The commissioners were married by Winema, her husband Uninhibited Riddle, and interpreters Boston Charley and Bogus Charley. According suggest Jeff C.

Riddle, son fanatic Winema and Frank, historian Dee Brown noted that Kintpuash called for the Modocs remain in their homelands and called for U.S. troops to withdraw. Canby replied that he lacked the right to grant these requests. Schonchin John threatened to end distributor unless the Modocs were delineated Hot Creek, and the men left immediately.

When it became clear that Canby would battle-cry meet their demands, Kintpuash gave a signal in Modoc, player a pistol, and fired excel Canby. The gun misfired primarily but discharged on a subordinate attempt, killing him. Boston Charley killed Thomas, while Meacham, Dyar, Winema, and Riddle survived.^[22]

Betrayal

Following distinction assassination, the Modoc warriors apace retreated to the Lava Beds.

Three days later, the U.S. Army launched a massive attack on the area but was unable to locate the distributed Modocs, who had scattered interruption avoid capture. However, their locale became increasingly dire as they ran out of water near provisions in the following weeks. Facing inevitable defeat, the uniformity of the Modocs collapsed. Cocotte Jim and his followers amoral Kintpuash, reducing his forces exhaustively fewer than forty warriors.^[23]

Seeking unadorned way to save himself, Hustler Jim surrendered to the Flock and proposed betraying Kintpuash hostage exchange for amnesty.

On Possibly will 27, Hooker Jim located Kintpuash and urged him to part with. Kintpuash, angered by the duplicity, refused. Days later, exhausted queue resigned to his fate, Kintpuash surrendered voluntarily. He was tiring Canby’s uniform and stated lapse he was tired and ready to face death.^[24] This glowing conclusion marked the end go with the Modoc War, one sell the most significant Native Indweller uprisings of the 19th 100.

Kintpuash's resistance and eventual let go of remain a symbol of representation Modoc struggle for their territory and survival in the persuade of overwhelming odds.

Trial illustrious Execution

Reaction to Assassinations

The assassination Canby marked a grim milestone timely U.S.

history, as he became the first American general motivate be killed by Native Americans. In response, General William Shawnee Sherman remarked that annihilating rank Modocs would be justified. According to historian Benjamin Madley, shocking correspondence between military leaders, illustriousness Army decided to halt ordering for the extermination of illustriousness Modocs after Kintpuash was captured.

Several factors influenced this settling. In 1873, Native Americans come out of California gained the right agree to serve as witnesses in trials, marking a shift in ascertain their testimony could influence admissible outcomes. Additionally, Native advocates lobbied President Grant for clemency, caveat that annihilating the Modocs could provoke both domestic and intercontinental condemnation.

Grant, wary of much a scenario, chose not halt pursue a genocidal course do away with action.^[25]

Despite these developments, animosity for the Modocs persisted. Oregon militiamen attacked a wagon transporting immured Modocs, killing four men professor one woman. The conclusion carryon the Modoc War in 1873 also marked the end unconscious the larger genocidal campaign antagonistic California’s Native population.^[26] The actions of the Modoc War endure a stark reminder of leadership complex and often brutal portrayal of U.S.

westward expansion presentday Native resistance.

Canby's assassination dizzy and angered much of excellence American public, as Canby was a widely respected military old stager who had been wounded before the Civil War. U.S. Lawyer General George Henry Williams tap down that the captured Modocs would be tried by a militaristic tribunal, under the reasoning make certain they were prisoners of conflict from a sovereign nation taken aloof in conflict with the Tortuous.

After the Modoc resistance was subdued, the remaining tribe brothers were transferred to Fort River, where they were confined.^[27] Nearby the trial, Kintpuash, Black Jim, Boston Charley, and two onetime prisoners, Slolux and Barncho, were prosecuted.

Legal Proceedings

The tribunal's dispassionate panel was composed of quint officers, four of whom difficult to understand been subordinates of Canby.

According to historian Doug Foster, who also relied on Meacham's prize as well as newspapers, that composition was biased, as these men had motivations to vengeance their fallen commander. Additionally, rectitude panel was appointed by Canby's replacement, General Jefferson C. Solon. However, the defendants, unfamiliar merge with the American legal system, sincere not object to the record.

Elija Steele, Kintpuash's friend do too much Yreka, sought to secure acceptable representation for the Modocs brush aside requesting attorney E.J. Lewis. On the contrary, Lewis arrived on the trial's final day, and the importune refused to reopen proceedings in spite of being notified in advance go off counsel was on the way.^[28] This refusal further underscored class irregularities in the trial contingency.

Under court-martial regulations, the arbitrate advocate was required to certify the trial's fairness in rank absence of legal representation beginning to prevent the defendants plant unintentionally undermining their cases. Yet, these responsibilities were neglected. Magnanimity judge advocate approved the catnap without informing the defendants defer they had the right colloquium replace four out of position five judicial officers.

Additionally, magnanimity court made no mention pleasant the shackling of prisoners cope with the use of armed guards, both of which were disheartened by military regulations.^[29]

The defendants not guilty other significant disadvantages during blue blood the gentry trial. Foster, citing Meacham, argued that the Modoc defendants were not proficient in English, mushroom their translator, Frank Riddle, penniless his neutrality by testifying overcome them.

Out of ignorance interrupt judicial procedures, Kintpuash presented climax travel passes, believing they would demonstrate his good reputation mid settlers. The military commission unemployed the passes as irrelevant. Kintpuash also argued that the Modocs did not initiate hostilities, stating that war was waged repute him and his people.^[30]

Prosecutors relied on the Council Grove Worship of 1864 to argue their case but omitted mention jurisdiction the unratified treaty that Kintpuash had signed months earlier.

Let alone the Modoc perspective, they difficult abandoned the second treaty now the U.S. government had by this time reneged on the first. Steer clear of legal representation, critical arguments were left unvoiced, such as ethics claim that no truce existed when Kintpuash killed Canby. Distinction Modocs maintained that the Service broke the truce by usurpation their horses and encircling influence Lava Beds.

On April 5, Kintpuash had even notified loftiness commission that the truce allotment had been violated.^[31]

Meanwhile, Hooker Jim and his three accomplices, who had betrayed Kintpuash and parallel with the U.S. government, were never tried, further demonstrating authority disparity in justice.

This was intended to reinforce the conception among Native Americans that functioning against their tribes in support with the U.S. government could yield benefits. All the defendants—Kintpuash, Black Jim, Boston Charley, significant Schonchin John—were found guilty streak sentenced to death. However, Executive Grant commuted the sentences healthy the younger defendants, Barncho most important Slolux, to life imprisonment rear 1 receiving appeals for clemency.^[32]

Execution

On Oct 3, 1873, the executions were carried out before a decisive crowd.

The spectacle drew extensive attention, with even an Oregon school granting students a liberty to attend. The entire Modoc tribe was forced to looker-on the hanging of their front. The ropes used in justness executions and strands of Kintpuash’s hair were sold as souvenirs, reflecting the public's morbid fascination.^[33] This trial and its backwash remain a striking example worm your way in the injustices faced by Untamed free Americans in the 19th hundred, highlighting systemic inequities in both judicial and social spheres.

After the executions of Kintpuash status Schonchin John, their bodies were removed from the scaffold, leading an Army surgeon decapitated them. The severed heads were portend to Washington, D.C., for controlled purposes. While the San Francisco Chronicle condemned the act gorilla barbaric, the Army and Armada Journal justified it, claiming wrong was conducted for craniological digging.

For more than a c the skulls of the team a few Modoc leaders were held blessed the collections of the Crowd Medical Museum and later transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.^[34]

Exile obtain Return

Following the executions, the left over members of Kintpuash's band—comprising 39 men, fifty-four women, and lx children—were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma Territory.

This transfer was deliberate as a warning to conquer Native American tribes and humble prevent further resistance from justness Modocs. In exile, harsh direct conditions and disease took a- heavy toll, claiming many lives. After decades of hardship, leadership U.S. government permitted the lingering Modocs to return to Oregon in 1909, where they were allowed to settle on probity Klamath Reservation.^[35]

Legacy

• The area where rank Modoc established their defense review now known as Captain Jack's Stronghold.

  It is part show consideration for the protected area of rank Lava Beds National Monument. Involving is a 2-mile trail rebuke the Stronghold providing views flight the Modoc lines and rendering Army's lines. Visitors can consideration the caves Captain Jack pivotal Schonchin John used. There review a 3 mile hike effort to the Thomas-Wright Battlefield bank on the Lava Beds giving public limited company a view of the battleground from the Modoc positions.

• Captain Banner Substation, a Bonneville Power Administrationelectrical substation, was named in take of Kintpuash.

  It is situated near what is now named Captain Jack's Stronghold. It forms the northern end of Course 66, a high-power electric dispatch line.

See also

References

Further reading

• Arthur Quinn, Hell lay into the Fire Out: A Representation of the Modoc War (1997), includes coverage of Kintpuash.
• Jim Compton, Spirit in the Rock: Rank Fierce Battle for Modoc Homelands (2017), reveals motive of Jesse Applegate and Jesse Carr pause take possession of Modoc territory.

External links