The Juniper Tree Conference - (21 March 1873) - History - http://maxpages.com/modocwar/Juniper_Tree

Sometime during the month of March, 1873, Gen. Canby removed his Headquarters from Fairchild's ranch to VanBremer's. This change brought the General within 12 miles of the Modoc position. The General and Commissioners being anxious to meet the Modocs for the purpose of making a treaty, and wishing to establish camp as nearly as possible to that of the Indians, left VanBremer's with an escort of cavalry, and going south of VanBremer's mountain, passed with some difficulty over a lava field to the bluff which extends from the south west point of Tule Lake for several miles towards the southern border of the lava bed. This bluff is more than 600 feet above the lake and lava-bed, and commands an extensive view of the country for several miles.

The contrast between the lake and lava field which is washed by its waters on its southern shore, is as strong as imagination can picture. The one, on this day, looked like a gigantic mirror lying at our feet, as it reflected the clouds which overhung its waters, and shadowed the hills and ragged crags about it. The other, with its gray, brown and black surface, presented as nearly a picture of Desolation as the Angel of Death will record when the end of all has come. Sharp peaks of lava, and the dark mouths of craters which dotted here and there the field of vision, gave this scene of desolation a gloomy aspect indeed, and none looked upon it that day without a shudder. For no officer whose duty called him to this fearful place, expected to leave it alive. We reached the bluff about noon, and soon discovered that our coming had been known to the Indians. The troops (120 exactly) were drawn up to the edge of the bluff, and each man dismounting stood beside his steed. The officers sat here and there, deeply interested in what they saw. Col. Davis Perry, who descended this bluff in January with General Wheaton, and who was wounded on that day, (January 17th) was pointing out to the others the places which he remembered. One solitary juniper tree near the Modoc camp was pointed out as the place to which the troops advanced, and from whence they were compelled to fall back. Near the tree a soldier was shot. Two comrades went with a stretcher and attempted to remove him. One was shot dead by an Indian, and the other compelled to retreat. Near the spot we found the remains of the two men, covered with rocks, and their limbs mutilated.

A fire was started by an officer upon our arrival, and as the smoke ascended up towards the heavens the Modocs built fires in many places about their camp. The Indians were discovered to be busily engaged in driving their ponies into camp (2½ miles distant,) and evidently preparing for battle, in the belief that the troops had come to attack them. The shouts and war whoops which sounded in our ears, the excitement of the Indians, and the wild scenes about us, will never be forgotten by those who were on the bluff that day. With the glass we could distinguish men from women, and count the animals as they were driven into the fortified Modoc position.

At length a man, mounted on a white horse, was seen to come from Jack's camp toward the bluff at full speed. Riding up to within half a mile he halted, and with loud shouts returned as rapidly as he came. Then two Indians on foot were seen to come towards us, and avoiding the trail passed among the rocks. Their guns (Government ones, taken from the dead soldiers,) could be plainly seen as the sun shone on them, and almost dazzled our sight. They stopped at a point some 600 yards distant, and the two stood in bold relief against the sky. Then one, in a loud voice, called to us. Not being understood, the writer of this descended the bluff a short distance, and heard the Modoc call--"Why so many come here? One man come down and talk."

Calling to Gen. Canby, I told him what the Indian had said, and asked his consent to meet the Modoc. The General assented, and I started to meet the men. On reaching the place I found four Modocs, each one armed and painted for war. Red and black paint, in alternate stripes, gave a hideous aspect to their features, and their black eyes glistened fiercely. This was a fortified picket post, and these men were the picket guard. The man on horseback had visited them and gone back to report. Even in the savage face the Almighty has implanted the character of the heart. Guided by this unfailing index I turned to a young and handsome Indian* who was amusing himself with a pop-gun such as white boys make from alder boughs, and told him to go to Captain Jack and say to him that General Canby was near and wished to see him. I told him also to say that the "Yreka Doctor" had sent the message. (Six years before this I had treated Jack when his arm was badly broken.) This Indian pointed to a juniper tree near the foot of the bluff and said that Jack would meet the General there. He then left us with the three, and I returned to the General to report. When part way up the bluff I called for a man to come down, so that my message might be borne to Gen. Canby. Mr. Fox, of the New York Herald, desiring to see the Indians, cmae, and said he wished to go with me. Knowing the suspicious nature of these people, I consented, but in the meantime cautioned Fox. Upon reaching the spot we found several more Indians, armed and painted, some naked from the waist up, the nakedness being relieved by a belt filled with cartridges captured from the troops in January. "Whim," or William, the Modoc messenger, returned, and said that Captain Jack would meet Gen. Canby at a point between our position and the stronghold. This was the place at which the massacre took place afterwards. To this proposition I would not listen; reminded the Indian of his first agreement, and the fact that the General was an old man, and could not walk over the rocks. I further told them that as he was our "Tyee" (chief) he should not come.

Captain Jack having come up we shook hands, and I told him that if he would see the General we (Fox and myself) would remain as hostages for his safe return. To this he assented, and prepared to go. Gen. Gillem, who was with Gen. Canby at the foot of the bluff, had directed me to send Jack, Schonchin and "Scar-faced Charley." Schonchin did not come. Instead of three, six men were allowed to go, after depositing their rifles. In doing this they took especial pains to give their guns to other Indians. In one instance a squaw took charge of a rifle.

While we were making these arrangements Lieut. Rockwell came down the hill, which seemed to create an uneasiness among the Indians. But seeing him stop they ceased their objections. The conversation with the Indians was held in broken English. The folly of further resistance was plainly marked out to them, in spite of which they seemed perfectly satisfied to fight. Five of them had carbines taken from dead soldiers in January, and three had muskets obtained in the same way. Two had shot pouches covered with the scalps of dead soldiers, and Mr. Fox said it made his hair "stand on end" to look at them. One was a rich and wavy brown, the other light and curly. I knew that this last had belonged to Brennar, a private in the 21st Infantry, whose body was found when the Indians were driven away in April.

This meeting was in full view of those on the bluff, and while looking toward the soldiers we appreciated the danger in which we were placed should one of the command by accident discharge his gun. At the end of an hour, perhaps more, the conference ceased, and when the Indians parted from Gen. Canby we started for camp. Joining the General, we found that he was evidently dissatisfied. He said, "Doctor, the Indians will not talke about peace." "What did they say, General" I asked. "Captain Jack said if we had anything to send them, they would receive it," was his reply. He also said that Jack talked under restraint, and as though the presence of the other Indians influenced him. Ascending the bluff, we started for camp, reaching it after night. Thus ended Gen. Canby's first interview with the Modoc chieftain. Though warning after warning was given, the great and good man, from a high sense of duty, and through the fanatical policy of others, sacrificed his life.

General Canby (22 March 1873)

[Telegram received at headquarters Army of the United States,
Washington, D.C., March 25, 1873.]

VAN BREMER'S RANCH, CAL..
March [22], 1873.

Col. W. D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.:

Accompanied by Colonel Gillem, had an unsatisfactory meeting with Captain Jack yesterday afternoon in the neighborhood of his camp. The result confirmed the impression previously reported, that the war faction is still predominant. Captain Jack's demeanor was that of a man under duress and afraid to exhibit his real feelings. Important questions were evaded, or not answered at all; the substance of all that could be elicited from him was, that he did not want to fight, that the lava bed was a bad place, and that he wanted to go to his home on Lost River. He wanted all of the soldiers moved out of the country; if anybody wanted to talk to him they must come to his camp, and if anything was to be done for him, it must be done there. The meeting of yesterday was in part accidental, as I had not intended to communicate with Captain Jack until the troops were in their new positions, but the conference was invited by the Indians, and was accepted as first arranged. Captain Jack and Sconchin John, the second chief, were to have met Colonel Gillem and myself, but when we reached the place, we found that the war-faction had substituted their leader for Sconchin, no doubt for the purpose of watching Captain Jack, and seeing that he did not commit himself to their prejudice. The troops are now moving into their positions, and when they are reached, then communication may again be opened with the Modocs with the hope of better results.

ED. R. S. CANBY,
Brigadier-General Commanding.

Editorial -- San Francisco Call (26 March 1873)

The Modocs

Indian wars have always been expensive, and before the Government gets through with the Modocs there will be a large bill to foot. The position of affairs between the savages and the army is rather embarrassing. It is believed by many persons that the Indians are striving to gain time until the Spring opens, when they will divide up into small parties and make their escape from the lava beds. It is thought best not to attack them so long as there is a hope of bringing them to terms. The vainglorious exhibition of the scalps of their white victims shows, however, that they reckon a good deal upon their ability to triumph if there should be a battle, and they will hardly be convinced of the contrary until they have received a severe lesson.

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