The Army moved to return the Modocs to the Reservation. Captain James Jackson rode forth from Fort Klamath with 43 men of the 1st Cavalry to escort them back. Captain Jack's camp was surrounded. When approached, Captain Jack agreed to return to the Reservation. But when he was asked to hand over his rifle, he became angry. He yelled at Captain Jackson, "I have never fought white people yet, and I don't want to." He did, however, hand over his weaponry. His men began to follow suit. One warrior, known as Scarfaced Charley, placed his rifle on the pile but retained his holstered pistol. A soldier barked at him, "Give me that pistol, damn you. Quick!" The proud young Indian retorted that he was not a dog to be spoken to in such a manner. The soldier replied, " You son of a bitch! I'll show you how to talk back to me." With this he lifted his gun to fire. At the same time, Scarface Charley pulled out his pistol. Both ,men fired. Both bullets missed their mark. In the next few moments the Modocs dived for the rifles they had just given up. A sharp exchange of gunfire followed, leaving one Army sargeant dead and seven privates wounded. The Modocs managed to fight their way out of the camp. They retreated into the cover of the Lava beds.
The Army moved to return the Modocs to the Reservation. Captain James Jackson rode forth from Fort Klamath with 43 men of the 1st Cavalry to escort them back. Captain Jack's camp was surrounded. When approached, Captain Jack agreed to return to the Reservation. But when he was asked to hand over his rifle, he became angry. He yelled at Captain Jackson, "I have never fought white people yet, and I don't want to." He did, however, hand over his weaponry. His men began to follow suit. One warrior, known as Scarfaced Charley, placed his rifle on the pile but retained his holstered pistol. A soldier barked at him, "Give me that pistol, damn you. Quick!" The proud young Indian retorted that he was not a dog to be spoken to in such a manner. The soldier replied, " You son of a bitch! I'll show you how to talk back to me." With this he lifted his gun to fire. At the same time, Scarface Charley pulled out his pistol. Both ,men fired. Both bullets missed their mark. In the next few moments the Modocs dived for the rifles they had just given up. A sharp exchange of gunfire followed, leaving one Army sargeant dead and seven privates wounded. The Modocs managed to fight their way out of the camp. They retreated into the cover of the Lava beds.
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