Chronology - Early Events of the Modoc War - History - http://maxpages.com/modocwar/Early

for a detailed timeline of events leading up to the war, click here.

25 November 1872 -- Superintendent Odeneal sends Ivan Applegate and James ("One-Armed") Brown to talk with the Modocs on Lost River.

26 November 1872 -- Applegate and Brown meet with the Modocs, telling them to meet with Odeneal at Linkville on the 28th. They refuse. Applegate tells them that two or three men will be back to talk with them in a few days.

27 November 1872 -- Odeneal and Dyar, Agent for Klamath Reservation, meet Applegate and Brown, receiving the Modoc message. Odeneal immediately sends Applegate to Fort Klamath for a force to compel the Modocs to move to the reservation.

28 November 1872 -- Applegate arrives at Fort Klamath about 5 a.m., urging that a force be sent out as soon as possible. A small force under Major Jackson leaves around noon for Lost River. A little after dark he arrives at Linkville, where he confers with Odeneal. The force then continues all night to Captain Jack's village.

29 November 1872 -- The Lost River Fight. Major Jackson's force attacks Captain Jack's village before sunrise. Across the river a small force of civilians under Oliver Applegate attack Hooker Jim's village. All the Modocs flee. Captain Jack's band goes straight for the lava beds, while Hooker Jim's band goes around the lake.

29-30 November 1872 -- The Lost River Murders. Hooker Jim's band murders settlers on its way to the lava beds. (For background information on the identity of the "Lost River Murderers" click here.)

1 December 1872 -- Jackson sets up headquarters at Crawley's cabin.

3 December 1872 -- Lieutenant Colonel Wheaton orders troops from Camp Bidwell to the front; General Canby sends troops from Fort Vancouver.

4 December 1872 -- The Hot Creeks Incident. John Fairchild and others gather the Hot Creek band of Modocs to take them to the reservation. Linkville citizens meet them at Bob Whittle's ferry, threatening the Modocs' lives. The Modocs scatter and Fairchild and company return to Hot Creek.

7 December 1872 -- By this time most of the Hot Creek Modocs have regathered near Fairchild's. Fairchild and others set off to talk with Captain Jack.

8 December 1872 -- Fairchild and Captain Jack have a long talk, but nothing is resolved. Odeneal arrives in Jacksonville on his way back to Salem. He tells locals that the Modocs will be captured within a week.

9 December 1872 -- Reporter Robert Bogart files his first story for the San Francisco Chronicle from Yreka.

12 December 1872 -- The Hot Creek Modocs under Shacknasty Jim, fearing to make another attempt to reach the reservation, leave during the night and join Captain Jack.

21 December 1872 -- Modocs ambush a supply train on its way to the soldiers at Lost River.

1 January 1873 -- Wheaton moves headquarters from Crawley's to Van Brimmer's ranch.

17 January 1873 -- The First Battle for the Stronghold. Forces under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Wheaton assault Captain Jack's position in the lava beds. At nightfall they are forced to withdraw without dislodging the Modocs.

21 January 1873 -- Wheaton moves his headquarters from Van Brimmer's to the Lone Tree on Lost River.

22 January 1873 -- The Modocs attack wagons carrying grain and force the soldiers to withdraw; troops under Captain Bernard recapture wagons.

for a detailed timeline of events during the peace conference period, click here.

The First Battle for the Stronghold

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Page Updated Thu Mar 2, 2000 4:22pm EST