westward march of settlements as the long trains of cars came laden with immigrants, not only from the East, but from all parts of Europe, and established hamlet after hamlet, and village after village, farther and still farther toward the western horizon.

Later I took station at Fort Harker, which was found more agreeable and more within the confines of civilization, and still later at Fort Leavenworth, one of the most delightful of posts, of which I have already given some account.

After the establishment of the Council of Indian Delegates at Ocmulgee, Indian Territory, in December, 1870, an effort was made on the part of the government to place all the Indians in the United States on separate tracts of land or reservations, there to be guarded against all molestation from the whites. That the Indians might take kindly to this plan it was proposed that the reservations should be large enough to provide ample room for their reasonable needs, say six hundred acres to each. It was not expected that all the tribes would readily assent to the

proposition, as it contemplated their removal from familiar haunts to remote parts of the country, and in fact the opposition to such efforts at removal brought about many difficulties with them. The "Modoc War" was a case in point. This tribe numbered only a few hundred, and were removed by the government from their fine lands near the boundary line between Oregon and California to a reservation where the soil was so poor that they would not accept it, and went back in wrath to their old homes, in defiance of the United States authorities.

CAPTAIN JACK.

Finding that a determined attempt was about to be made to bring them into subjection, a few of the Modocs, under the leadership of Captain Jack and Scarfaced Charley, withdrew to the lava beds to make the best resistance in their power. Here they were surrounded, but they held out stoutly, and it seemed impossible to dislodge them. In their inaccessible fastnesses they could defy a hundred times their number, and it was plain that many lives would have to be sacrificed before they were whipped into submission.

April 11, 1873, four members of the Peace Commission, headed by Major-General Edward R. S. Canby, met the leaders of the disaffected band

under a flag of truce. While the conference was in progress the Indians suddenly, upon a preconcerted signal, assailed the white men, killing General Canby and Dr. Thomas on the spot and badly wounding Dr. Meacham.

From this time the war was pushed with vigor, and in July following they were forced to surrender. Captain Jack and two associates were

tried, convicted and hanged for the murder of the commissioners, and the remainder were removed to a reservation where they adopted peaceful pursuits, and ever since have remained peaceful.

General Canby was one of the ablest officers that ever held a commission under our government. The General Commanding the Army paid him a deserved tribute in General orders, as follows:

General Orders, No 3.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
WASHINGTON, April 14, 1873.

It again becomes the sad duty of the general to announce to the army the death of one of our most illustrious and most honored comrades.

Brigadier-General Edward R. S. Canby, commanding the Department of the Columbia, was, on Friday last, April 11, shot dead by the chief "Jack," while he was endeavoring to mediate for the removal of the Modocs from their present rocky fastness on the northern border of California to a reservation where the tribe could be maintained and protected by the proper civil agents of the government.

That such a life should have been sacrificed in such a cause will ever be a source of regret to his relations and friends; yet the general trusts that all good soldiers will be consoled in knowing that General Canby lost his life "on duty" and in the execution of his office, for he had been specially chosen and appointed for this delicate and dangerous trust by reason of his well-known patience and forbearance, his entire self-abnegation, and fidelity to the expressed wishes of his government, and his large experience in dealing with the savage Indians of America.

He had already completed the necessary military preparations to enforce obedience to the conclusion of the Peace Commissioners, after which he seems to have accompanied them to a last conference with the savage chiefs in supposed friendly council, and there met his death by treachery, outside of his military lines, but within view of the signal station. At the same time one of the Peace Commissioners was killed outright, and another mortally wounded, and the third escaped unhurt.

Thus perished one of the kindest and best gentlemen of this or any country, whose social equalled his military virtues. To even sketch his army history would pass the limits of a general order, and it must here suffice to state that General Canby began his military career as a cadet at West Point in the summer of 1835, graduating in 1839, since which time he has continually served thirty-eight years, passing through all the grades to major-general of volunteers and brigadier-general of the regular army.

He served his early life with marked distinction in the Florida and Mexican Wars, and the outbreak of the Civil War found him on duty in New Mexico, where, after the defection of his seniors, he remained in command and defended the country successfully against a formidable inroad from the direction of Texas. Afterward transferred east to a more active and important sphere, he exercised various high commands, and, at the close of the Civil War was in command of the Military Division of the West Mississippi, in which he had received a painful wound, but had the honor to capture Mobile, and compel the surrender of the rebel forces in the Southwest.

Since the close of the Civil War he has repeatedly been chosen for special command by reason of his superior knowledge of law and civil government, his known fidelity to the wishes of the Executive, and his chivalrous devotion to his profession, in all which his success was perfect.

When fatigued by a long and laborious career, in 1869, he voluntarily consented to take command of the Department of the Columbia, where he expected to enjoy the repose he so much coveted. This Modoc difficulty arising last winter, and it being extremely desirous to end it by peaceful means, it seemed almost providential that it should have occurred in the sphere of General Canby's command.

He responded to the call of his government with alacrity, and has labored with a patience that deserved better success - but alas! the end is different from that which he and his best friends had hoped for and he now lies a corpse in the wild mountains of California, while the lightning flashes his requiem to the furthermost corners of the civilized world.

Though dead, the record of his fame is resplendent with noble deeds well done, and no name on our Army Register stands fairer or higher for the personal qualities that command the universal respect, honor, affection and love of his countrymen.

General Canby leaves to his country a heart-broken widow, but no children.

Every honor consistent with law and usage shall be paid to his remains, full notice of which will be given as soon as his family can be consulted and arrangements concluded. By command of General Sherman,

WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHAPTER XI.

CAMPAIGNS IN 1EXAS.

CAUSES OF INDIAN DEPREDATIONS

CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRANS-CONTINENTAL RAILWAYS
DESTRUCTION OF THE BUFFALO DISASTER TO THE GERMAINE FAMILY- ATTACK ON
ADOBE WALLS-ORGANIZING AN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE AGAINST THE HOSTILES
UNFORTUNATE CONDITION OF WESTERN KANSAS - DROUTH-LOCUSTS-
MARCH UNDER A BURNING SUN INTO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOSTILES
DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY - GYPSUM BELT

ON THE INDIAN TRAIL THE INDIANS AT BAY

URING the progress of the events I have described, there was no long period during which the frontier settlements were entirely secure from the devastations of marauding bands of Indians. Yet, after a long season of mingled peace and war, the main camps had been gathered in and given reservations in the Indian and other Territories. These bodies of Indians numbered many thousands, and while they were apparently at peace they were constantly sending out bands, large and small, which were committing depredations upon the settlers of Texas, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, and Dakota. Among the causes of a want of security was the fact that these wild savages were placed in large numbers on reservations remote from civilization and under no control, restraint, or influence stronger than that exercised by a single agent, appointed usually on account of some political consideration. They saw only the worst features of civilization, being subjected in very slight degree, if at all, to the enlightening influences which exist among civilized people.

Accustomed as they were from childhood to the wild excitement of the chase, or of conflict with some other hostile tribe, taught that to kill was noble and to labor degrading, these Indians could not suddenly change their natures and become peaceable agriculturists. Without occupation, they led a listless, indolent life, the very foundation of vice and crime.