Modocs and Their War

by Keith A. Murray

Along the shores of Tule Lake in northern California, in the fall of 1872 three small bands of Modoc Indians joined forces to hold off more than a thousand United States soldiers and settlers trying to dislodge them from their ancient refuge in the lava beds. In these caves and crevasses, which the army called "The Stronghold," the 160-odd Indians, led by Captain Jack, fought five battles and several skirmishes aginst the whites, inclicting more casualties on their enemies than their own total strength.Toward the end of the war, when these Indians felt the ignominy of defeat and mistrusted their shaman most surprising moves.

Genres: History, War, American History

359 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1970

Reviews

[Pat MacEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical account of the Modoc War in northeastern California in 1872-3 offers a great deal of detail concerning events of the time and the major figures involved in it, ranging from the legendary Modoc leader Captain Jack to E.R.S. Canby, the only U.S. Army General ever killed in the Indian Wars. The author's portrayal of the military tactics used by both sides left me astonished at the sheer ineptitude of several important men, at least one of whom was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his rather laughable efforts, some of which should have won him a court martial instead. I found the author's attitude toward the Modocs themselves rather off-putting. Murray's attitude is paternal at best, and his frequent referral to some individuals as "Modoc murderers" while at the same time admitting these same individuals were not bound by U.S. Law, since they were not and never had been citizens, led me to doubt his neutrality on certain questions. I have not, however, seen a better explanation of how the war progressed to its conclusion, and how the politics of the thing played out. The book includes several first rate period photographs.

[Carrie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in a family that came from Mississippi in 1916 and is now in its 5th generation in southern Oregon. Family and friends have told the Modoc's story and more recently the story of the Klamath's. It is the story of people all across the United States and other parts of the world as well. There is no end of what has been taken from one group by another. At this point the best goal is to acknowledge all people as equals and forge on to the application of that principle.

[Dade Cariaga · Rating 3 out of 5]

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