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F. B. Odeneal, superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon, of reports received from Major Green, First Cavalry, commanding Fort Klamath, including Capt. James Jackson's report of his fight with the Modocs; also copies of my instructions and orders to commanding officers at Fort Klamath, Camp Bidwell, California, and Harney.

By this correspondence it will be seen that every available soldier at my disposal is now in the Modoc country.

Indian runners from Yainax assure me that Captain Jack was killed by the troops soon after he opened fire on them at his camp, his supplies and camp burned, and his stock captured by the troops.

If this is the case, I do not believe we need anticipate a continued resistance from this little band of Modocs. Of course, unless other instructions are received, field operations against the hostile parties of the Modoes will be continued until their submission is complete, and until they obey the superintendent's orders.

The best informed officials at Klamath and Yainax had assured me Captain Jack would not resist military authority, and his defiant attitude and ultimate firing on Captain Jackson's force, killing citizens and soldiers, was as unexpected as it was deplorable.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANK WHEATON,

Lieut. Col. Twenty-first Infantry, Com'd'g District of the Lakes.

The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

Department of the Columbia, Portland, Oregon.

1.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
Camp Warner, Oregon, November 14, 1872.

SIR: I am directed by the commanding officer District of the Lakes to inform you that instructions just received from the general commanding the department state that an effort will be made during this month, by the superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon, to remove Captain Jack and his band of Modoc Indians to the Yainax reservation.

Though the superintendent does not now anticipate any difficulty in accomplishing this without the aid of troops, still it may possibly be necessary to use, or at least make a show of, military force.

You will please render the superintendent every facility in your power, if called upon to do so, and report at once whether in your opinion a larger force than you now have will be required to accomplish the desired removal.

You will please report by courier anything of importance or interest that you may learn concerning the Modocs, or the movements of the superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon, and send your reply to this letter by courier at an early date. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN Q. ADAMS,

First Lieutenant First Cavalry, A. A. A. G.

COMMANDING OFFICER,

Fort Klamath, Oregon.

2.

HEADQUARTERS FORT KLAMATH, OREGON,
November 25, 1872.

SIR: In reply to your communication of November 14, 1872, I have the honor to report that matters remain very much as they were when the district commander was at the post.

There has been no effort made, as far as I know, to remove the Modocs; however, I learn the superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon came up with Major Eggleston

this evening, but he has made no request of me as yet, and of course could not in so short a time.

I sent my scout to the Modoc country, who has just returned, and states that the situation is the same as when I visited them, and it is to be seen what they will do when ordered to Yainax.

If they refuse to go, of course the larger the force that can be brought against them the quicker the matter will end.

I would therefore respectfully recommend that the cavalry troop at your headquar ters be kept in readiness to join that at this post, if required by the superintendent. In conclusion, I would assure the district commander that he will be notified of any emergency so soon as I am aware of it myself.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

JOHN GREEN, Major First Cavalry, Commanding.

District of the Lakes, Camp Warner, Oregon.

3.

OREGON SUPERINTENDENCY, KLAMATH AGENCY,
November 25, 1972.

SIR: I am here for the purpose of putting the Modoc Indians upon the reservation. in pursuance of an order from the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs, a copy of which is as follows, to wit:

"You are directed to remove the Modoc Indians to Camp Yainax on Klamath reservation, peaceably if you possibly can, but forcibly if you must."

I have requested the head-men of the tribe to meet me at Link River on the 9th instant, at which time I shall endeavor to persuade them to return to Yainax at once. In the event they shall refuse to meet me, or shall refuse to come upon the reservation voluntarily, then I shall call upon you for a sufficient force to compel them to do so.

They have some eighty well armed warriors, and I would respectfully suggest that as large force be brought to bear against them at once as you can conveniently furnish, in the event it shall be determined that they cannot be removed peaceably.

This will, I think, overawe them, and probably render the shedding of blood ur

necessary.

Immediately after the conference referred to, I will inform you of the result thereof, and in the meantime I have to request that all necesary preliminary arrange ments be made for concentrating the forces at your command, and having them ready for active operations.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieut. Col. FRANK WHEATON,

F. B. ODENEAL, Superintendent Indian Affairs for Oregon.

Commanding District of the Lakes, Camp Warner, Oregon.

4.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
Camp Warner, Oregon, November 29, 1872.

SIR: Your letter concerning the proposed removal of the Modoc band to the Yainst reservation was duly received, and in reply thereto I would state that, under instruc tions from the commanding general Department of the Columbia, the necessary pr liminary steps have already been taken for the concentration of all available mousted men of the garrisons at Harney, Bidwell, Warner, and Klamath, with a view to their employment against the Modocs, if they will not move peaceably to Yainax.

I trust there will be no serious difficulty in inducing these Indians to make the desired move, but if there should be, you may rely upon my full and hearty co-operation to enable you to carry out any instructions you may at any time receive concefting the Modocs or other Indians in this vicinity.

The troops nearest to Klamath will move promptly to re-enforce Colonel Greea's command, whenever it becomes necessary.

I am confined to my bed with a severe attack of quinsy, but hope to be out soon. If you should have occasion to visit this section of the country, I shall be glad to receive and entertain you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANK WHEATON.
Brevet Major-General, U. S. A.,

Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-first Infantry, Commanding District of the Lakes.

Mr. F. B. ODENEAL,

Superintendent Indian Affairs for Oregon, Klamath Agency.

5.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
Camp Warner, Oregon, November 29, 1872.

SIR: I am directed by the district commander to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 25th instant; he desires me to say he would write you more fully were it not for his being confined to his bed with sickness; he hopes to be about again in a few days.

Should you require the services of Captain Perry's troop, it can be sent you on a moment's notice.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

COMMANDING OFFICER,

JOHN Q. ADAMS, First Lieutenant First Cavalry, A. A. A. G.

Fort Klamath, Oregon.

6.

Copy of letter from Maj. John Green, First Cavalry, commanding Fort Klamath, Oregon, to commanding officer District of the Lakes, dated November 28, 1872.

7.

Copy of letter from F. B. Odeneal, superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon, to commanding officer, Fort Klamath, Oregon, dated November 27, 1872.

8.

Copy of orders No. 93, headquarters Fort Klamath, Oregon, November 28, 1872 ordering Captain Jackson, First Cavalry, with his company to Link River.

9.

Copy of letter from commanding officer, Fort Klamath, Oregon, to commanding officer, District of the Lakes, dated December 1, 1872.

10.

Copy of letter from Capt. James Jackson, First Cavalry, to commanding officer Fort Klamath, Oregon, (report of fight with Modocs,) dated November 30, 1872.

11.

Copy of orders No. 94, headquarters Fort Klamath, Oregon, November 30, 1972, ordering all available men company F, Twenty-first Infantry, to Linkville.

12.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
Camp Warner, Oregon, December 1, 1-72

SIR: I am directed by the commanding officer District of the Lakes to acknowledg the receipt of your communication of November 28, 1872, and its inclosures, showing that Captain Jack, the chief of the Modoc band, refuses to obey the orders of Mr. } B. Odeneal, superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon.

I am also directed to inform you that, owing to the sickness of the district conmander, who has been confined to his bed for several days, he requests you to repr sent him in this matter, and by his direction compel the Modocs to render prompt ari implicit obedience to the superintendent's authority and orders, all the force at yo command to be used to this end; it will be re-enforced by Captain Perry's Troop F, First Cavalry, and a detachment from Camp Bidwell, California, making a force of abort seventy-five completely equipped cavalry. This, with Captain Jackson's troop, w.. will give you for field-service about one hundred and fifty cavalry.

You will please proceed at once with this command to Captain Jack's camp, arres him and the head-men who deny the superintendent's authority, and compel thi

obedience.

It is not believed that more than a show of military force will be necessary to awe the sixty armed Modocs into submission, and only as a dire necessity and as a last resort will you permit the troops to engage and kill any of the Modocs, the obje i being to compel Captain Jack and his people to recognize Superintendent Odereals authority, without bloodshed, if it is possible.

If it should become necessary, the district commander will bring the mounted for from Camp Harney, and as soon as possible, join you in the field.

The Modocs must be brought to terms if it takes every soldier in the district, e more, to accomplish it.

Captain Perry will leave Camp Warner with his detachment on Tuesday morais December 2, 1872, with orders to report to you at Klamath; he will obey any orders you may send him while he is en route to your post.

You are authorized to employ such interpreters, scouts, guides, packers, and expres men, temporarily, for this special service as may be necessary.

You will please keep the district commander fully and promptly advised of the sitration, and immediately communicate with Superintendent Odeneal, showing a des to sustain and aid him.

Should the presence of Captain Jackson's force of cavalry in the Modoc count already have accomplished all that Mr. Odeneal desires, and Captain Perry's re-entores ment not be required, you will please direct its return to Camp Warner. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN Q. ADAMS, First Lieutenant First Cavalry, A. A. A. G.

COMMANDING OFFICER,

Fort Klamath, Oregon.

13.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
Camp Warner, Oregon, December 3, 1-72

SIR: By direction of the commanding officer district of the lakes, I inclose yona copy of Captain Jackson's report of his recent fight with the Modoc Indians, rat Crawley's ranch, Tule Lake, about 36 miles from Klamath.

In order to protect the road between Lake City and Linkville, and in order to pre vent any depredations by the Modocs between Dorner's Bridge and Tule Lake, y will, with the least possible delay, send or take all your available force, leaving a your post only such men as may be absolutely necessary as a guard, to Crawley* ranch, about 96 miles from Bidwell, where Captain Jackson is now supposed to he in order to co-operate, if it is necessary, with Captain Jackson's troop from Kiamat or with Captain Perry's troop from Warner.

Capt. D. Perry's command, including Lieutenant Kyle's detachment, leaves Rigg's ranchi, at north end of Goose Lake Valley, to-night, and makes forced marches via Yainax to Crawley's ranch to join Captain Jackson.

Captain Perry's wagons do not accompany him, but will be moved to Klamath for supplies.

Moving by the route indicated, you will open communication with Captain Jackson or Captain Perry at the earliest date. If Major Green is with either command, report to him for further instructions; if he is not, co-operate with either of the two troops until you receive orders from Major Green, who will be notified by courier of your intended route, &c.

Unless Major Green should consider it essential, the detachment herein ordered from your post will not be detained any length of time in the Modoc country; it is believed that Captain Jackson and Captain Perry's troops, and Lieutenant Kyle's detachment, will be a sufficient force for present operations against the Modoc band, said to be seventy stong, and the movement herein ordered is mainly as a protection to the road above indicated, and to re-assure settlers in that region.

In order to comply promptly with these orders, you are authorized to employ, temporarily for the trip, such guides, packers, &c., as may be necessary.

The detachme it herein ordered should be supplied with not less than eight days'

rations.

By command of Lieut.-Cól. Frank Wheaton, commanding District of the Lakes: JOHN Q. ADAMS,

Capt. R. F. BERNARD,

First Lieutenant First Cavalry, A. A. A. G.

Commanding Camp Bidwell, California.

[Special Orders No. 16.]

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES,
Camp Warner, Oregon, December 1, 1872.

The commanding officer of Camp Harney, Oregon, will send, without delay, to report at these headquarters, a detachment consisting of one commissioned officer, four non-commissioned officers, and thirty enlisted men from the cavalry troop serving at that post.

The necessary transportation for carrying supplies as far as Camp Warner will be provided, and the detachment will be mounted on the best available horses.

It is possible that this detachment will be needed in the force required to place the Modoc Indians on the reservation at Yainax, where they now defiantly refuse to go. The detachment should be armed with carbines and pistols, with only the amount of ammunition carried in the cartridge boxes; a further supply, if required, can be furnished from the ordnance store-house at these headquarters. By command of Lieut.-Col. Frank Wheaton:

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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE LAKES, Camp Warner, Oregon, December 5, 1872. MAJOR: I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of December 1, 1872, inclosing Captain Jackson's report of his attack on the Modoc camp, November 29, 1872, after the Modocs had opened fire on his command.

Now that Captain Jack's band of Modoc Indians have commenced hostilities, killed and wounded citizens and United States soldiers, they must of course be treated like other hostile savages who refuse to go upon a reservation, and be hunted and pursued until their submission to the Government is complete.

Capt. D. Perry with his troop F, First Cavalry, and Lieutenant Kyle's detachment from Camp Bidwell were en route to Rigg's ranch, when they met the courier bringing the dispatch referred to above.

Captain Perry has been authorized to open any communications "en route" to district headquarters. He reports that he will make forced marches from the head of Goose Lake Valley to join Captain Jackson, via Yainax, sending his wagons to Klamath for supplies. He was directed to send an Indian runner from Yainax, to notify you when he reached and when he left that point.

Inclosed you will please find a copy of orders sent Capt. R. F. Bernard, First Cavalry, commanding Camp Bidwell, California. Bernard's movements toward Klamath via Lake

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