Captured Modoc Indians, 1873

This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.

Front page of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper with portraits of eleven Modoc Indians, federal prisoners and alleged participants in a violent uprising. The Modoc War was an armed conflict between the Modoc tribe and the US Army, 1872-73. Captain Jack led 52 warriors and a band of more than 150 Modoc people who left the Klamath Reservation. Occupying defensive positions throughout the lava beds south of Tule Lake, for months those few warriors waged a guerrilla war against US Army forces sent against them and reinforced with artillery. In April 1873, Captain Jack and others killed General Edward Canby and wounded others. After more warfare with reinforcements of US forces, some Modoc warriors surrendered, and Captain Jack and the last of his band were captured. Jack and five warriors were tried for the murder; Jack and three warriors were executed and two others sentenced for life imprisonment. The remaining 153 Modoc of the band were sent to Indian Territory, where they were held as prisoners of war until 1909.