Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/614

 of the 1st cavalry. Canby also felt that the new order of the war department implied censure of himself, and wrote to Sherman that hostilities could not have been avoided, as the Modocs were determined to resist; that he had taken care that they should not be coerced until their claims had been decided upon by the proper authorities; and that there would be no peace on the frontier until they were subdued and punished for their crimes. Sherman replied to Canby's protest: "Let all defensive measures proceed, but order no attack on the Indians until the former orders are modified or changed by the president, who seems disposed to allow the peace men to try their hands on Captain Jack."

The commissioners first named to serve with Meacham were Superintendent Odeneal and Parson Wilbur, agent at Simcoe reservation; but Meacham refusing to serve with either, Jesse Applegate and Samuel Case were substituted. Canby was advised of the appointments, and also that the commissioners were to meet and confer with him at Linkville on the 15th of February; but the meeting did not take place until the 18th, on account of Meacham's failure to arrive.

In the interim Jack kept up the excitement by attacks now and then on the troops, in which cases they also fought vigorously. On the 25th of January an attack was made on the rear-guard of the train of Bernard, who was moving camp from the south-east corner of Tule Lake to Clear Lake. They had captured one wagon, when Bernard returned and fought them, taking nearly all their horses, and depriving them of the means of making forays through the surrounding country. In the various encounters, eight Modocs had been killed and as many wounded.

Being shorn of a part of his strength, Jack resorted to savage wiles, and allowed it to go out that he was tired of war, keeping up a constant communication, which the armistice permitted him to do, with his