Here, in 187273, the modoc indians established a stronghold wherein they held out against the u. Troops left fort klamath for captain jacks stronghold, beginning the first battle of the modoc war. At captain jacks stronghold, captain jack and his band of modoc indians held off the us army for nearly five months in 1873. See more ideas about native american, klamath, klamath tribe. Still, i can give the real history so that people dont have to rely on the rewritten version. Davis riddle 18631941 was the son of frank and tobey riddle, both of whom played prominent roles in the modoc war.
On october 3, 1873, the united states military hangs four native americans found guilty of murdering the civil war hero, general edward canby, during the modoc war in. Captain jacks stronghold historic trail paperback january 1, 1995 by lava beds natural history association author 5. Beating odds of least 6 to 1 is impressive, but far from rare in history. From 1872 to 1873, their small force made use of the lava beds, holding off more numerous united states army forces for months in the modoc war. From december of 1872 into may of 1873 a band of fewer than 60 modoc indian warriors held off a us army force of over 600 in the lava beds of northern california. For over 90 years, the land has been preserved, studied and enjoyed by millions. Kintpuash, also known as kientpaush and captain jack c. Captain jack s stronghold, named for modoc chief captain jack kintpuash in modoc, is a part. As the indians fled, they murdered thirteen or eighteen settlers. Captain jacks stronghold lava beds national monument, ca.
After the war, his parents renamed him for the army colonel who ended the war and toured the east coast, lecturing on the conflict. Captain jack was later captured after being betrayed, and was hung. Captain jacks stronghold historic trail lava beds national monument pamphlet january 1, 1978 by lava beds natural history association editor. The order was finally given, at the end of november, to arrest captain jack, black jim and scarfaced charley by the next morning, forcibly if necessary.
Oct 12, 2010 from december of 1872 into may of 1873 a band of fewer than 60 modoc indian warriors held off a us army force of over 600 in the lava beds of northern california. Captain jacks stronghold tulelake, california landmark. Sep 14, 2015 early natives traveled through the lava beds as part of their seasonal travels for food and shelter. In 1942, ten internment camps for japanese americans were built, housing one hundred and twenty thousand west. The shooting between scarface charley and major boutelle captain jack and his people all arrive safe in the lava beds captain jack occupies the largest cave, known nowadays as captain jacks stronghold indians all live in different caves they make preparations for war colonel a. The history of sometimes the little guy wins history and. Buddy still had a number of documents that he shared with me about the modoc war and captain jacks stronghold. Army engaged a small band of modoc under the leadership of captain jack kintpuach in w. A brief history on january 17, 1873, despite fielding only 53 warriors, the native american modoc tribe, led by captain jack, defeated 104 california and oregon volunteers and 225 u.
Captain jacks stronghold a native american archaeological and historical site in lava beds national monument, northeastern california. During the modoc war of 18721873, a small band of modoc indians used an intimate knowledge of their homelands terrain to their tactical advantage. The modocs retreated to the stronghold, a vast lava bed honeycombed with outcroppings, caves, and caverns, making it a virtually impregnable rocky. And yet, its also a stellar example of military brilliance and a heart wrenching story of a tribes survival. With only 53 warriors and numerous women and children in their band of 160, they held off for several months a united states army force outnumbering them by as much as 10 to 1. The shooting between scarface charley and major boutelle captain jack and his people all arrive safe in the lava beds captain jack occupies the largest cave, known nowadays as captain jack s stronghold indians all live in different caves they make preparations for war colonel a. The first battle occurred on january 17, 1873, when the army attacked captain jack from the east and the west. The stronghold can be accessed from the perez turnoff, off highway 9 between tulelake and canby, california. Jacks group, which also included the women and children from both villages, paddled the miles 21 kilometers across the lake from the mouth of lost river during the night of november 2930. The modoc braves were very successful in defending this stronghold and the army was losing dozens of soldiers during fights to evict the band from. Located at the perez turnoff, off of highway 9, between tule lake and canby, california.
See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. This is a category about a place or building that is listed on the national register of historic places in the united states of america. Captain jacks stronghold lava beds national monument. Captain jacks restaurant serving the basin for nearly 100 years. Early natives traveled through the lava beds as part of their seasonal travels for food and shelter. We have a limited menu at this time call for our specials of the day 5306645566 home about us menu specials encore catering captain jacks stronghold. Army troops from december 1, 1872 to april 18, 1873. One group, led by captain jack, and the other by hooker jim, each headed for their stronghold on the opposite south shore of tule lake. Jack s group, which also included the women and children from both villages, paddled the miles 21 kilometers across the lake from the mouth of lost river during the night of november 2930. At captain jacks stronghold approximately 70 modoc men held out for 512 months against a much larger body of u. The modocs regrouped the next day in the lava beds at a location that came to be known as captain jack s stronghold.
This property was also listed in the national register of historic places on 9201973. In september 1872, he resisted all their attempts to meet with him. The modoc war of 187273 the medicine flag today, and 143 years ago. Among the bones, rags, and wickiups there was little of the loot of war that appealed to the collector instinct among soldiers.
The story of the hostilities and their principal players is worthy of shakespeare, and though delmer davies made one ok western about the war in the 1950s drumbeat, with charles bronson as captain jack, it blows my mind that the modoc war has not been turned into a film, or. From this fortress, captain jack and his indian forces successfully resisted capture by u. Over the last few years, a concentrated effort has been made to enhance visitors experience at the stronghold. It is part of the protected area of the lava beds national monument. Captain jacks stronghold, named for modoc chief captain jack kintpuash in modoc, is a part. Captain jacks stronghold historical landmark description. Captain jacks stronghold historic trail paperback january 1, 1995 by lava beds natural history association author. A excellent book about a tragic moment in us history.
The war began when troops tried to force captain jacks band, camped on lost river, back to the reservation on november 29, 1872. Lava beds national monument by lee juillerat arcadia. The modoc indians knowledge of that landscape, a natural lava fortress now known as captain jacks stronghold, was used during the modoc war of 1872 and 1873. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. Captain jack s stronghold restaurant, tulelake, ca.
From this position fewer than 60 modoc indian warriors held off a regular u. During the modoc war, captain jacks band settled here following the battle of lost river. It is located near what is now called captain jack s stronghold. Captain jacks stronghold lava beds national monument u. Tule lake while the lake and regional wildlife have inhabited the area for hundreds of generations, with the refuge designated in 1928, it is the tule lake national monument that tells the story of one harsh period and aspect of world war ii. Waters 308 moore street, santa cruz, california 95060 map by david kimbrough and aaron c. Captain jack and 50 men also wives and children defended themselves against an army 20 times their strength. After the battle, captain jack led his band into what is now known as the lava beds national monument captain jacks stronghold a natural maze of caves and trenches worn into the lava bed. What they dont realize is that captain jack is giving them stories in the form of parables, or life lessons. Captain jack s stronghold historic trail lava beds natural history association on. Captain jack s restaurant serving the basin for nearly 100 years. There is also a great map available at the visitor center that shows where all the battles took place and includes information about them.
Captain jack, modoc indian warrior battle of lost river. Lava beds, modoc, tule lake, northern californias nature. The indian history of the modoc war book, 1974 worldcat. Troops left fort klamath for captain jack s stronghold, beginning the first battle of the modoc war. Historic trail, lava beds national monument national park service on. The boys long to hear captain jacks stories at the end of the day over an order of pizza. Captain jacks stronghold in lava beds national monument. Captain jacks stronghold, lava beds national monument. Having visited the lava beds and captain jacks stronghold, the site of canbys murder, gillems camp and fort klamath made an excellent book that much better.
The modoc homeland is the tule lake area on the border between california and oregon. Oct 01, 2019 on october 3, 1873, the united states military hangs four native americans found guilty of murdering the civil war hero, general edward canby, during the modoc war in oregon. Conditions, however, had not improved for the modoc, and captain jack soon left once more, accompanied by a group of about 180 fellow tribe members. Home about us menu specials encore catering captain jacks stronghold restaurant, encore catering, all rights reserved.
Unfortunately, the second battle of the stronghold that took place 3 months later did not end so well for the modoc, and captain jack and their others were captured and hanged. The modoc took advantage of the lava ridges, cracks, depressions, and caves, all such natural features being ideal from the standpoint of defense. Under the leadership of kintpuash captain jack, the modoc took refuge in captain jacks stronghold, a natural lava fortress. After our picnic, craig and i took the park services halfmile loop trail into a wellprotected circle of rock known as captain jacks stronghold. Pick up a brochure at the parking lot then find the numbered posts and read the narrative in the brochure that goes with them. Oct 22, 2014 at captain jack s stronghold approximately 70 modoc men held out for 512 months against a much larger body of u. Captain jacks stronghold lava beds national monument was established on november 21, 1925. At the time the 52 modoc warriors occupied the stronghold, tule lake bounded the stronghold on the north and served as a source of water. Captain jack s stronghold historical landmark description. The volcanic rock formations absorbed the lead as well as offered cover. The linking of place to historical memory initially seems. Captain jack s stronghold, named for modoc chief captain jack kintpuash in modoc, is a part of lava beds national monument.
When you get to the park, head left and you will go by the canby cross then hit captain jacks stronghold on the right. There is a selfguided tour of captain jacks stronghold. The modoc people had long used this area for hunting and gathering as it was part of their traditional territory. Captain jacks stronghold is a reminder of an ugly period of american history. Army contingent, numbering as high as 600 men, into may of 1873.
Apr 21, 2017 under the leadership of kintpuash captain jack, the modoc took refuge in captain jacks stronghold, a natural lava fortress. Thompson, after the soldiers had driven the modoc band from the stronghold. Captain jack s stronghold is a formation of incredibly twisted and contorted lava flow on the south shore of former tule lake. The modoc indians knowledge of that landscape, a natural lava fortress now known as captain jack s stronghold, was used during the modoc war of 1872 and 1873. The area where the modoc established their defense is now known as captain jack s stronghold. The war began when troops tried to force captain jack s band, camped on lost river, back to the reservation on november 29, 1872.
He led a band from the klamath reservation to return to their lands in california, where they resisted return. Remembering a historic siege in a rugged volcanic landscape. Published on apr 21, 2017 secret passages during the modoc war of 18721873, a small band of modoc indians used an intimate knowledge of their homeland s terrain to their tactical advantage. We stood behind shoulderhigh lava bulwarks where captain jack and his band of 60 men held off 1,200 soldiers for over five months. Captain jack substation, a bonneville power administration electrical substation, was named in honor of kintpuash. Buddy passed away some years ago, so much of the truth will likely be buried forever with him.
Captain jack and 50 of his warriors fought the troops while around 175 women and children fled across the lake to the lava beds. If you ever have the opportunity to visit these sites, do so. The fierce battle for modoc homelands moves the reader deftly through the causes of the modoc war, onto the lava beds, into captain jacks stronghold, and then standing amongst the witnesses at captain jacks execution. The first, attack on the stronghold, on january 17, 1873, was made by 300 troops. In 1872, the army set out again to recapture jacks tribe, but during surrender negotiations, a fight broke out and the modoc were able to escape to a natural stronghold encased in lava beds and.
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