How the West Was Lost - Season 2 Episode 6 Death Will Come Soon Enough

When the small Indian nation of Modoc were forced to live on a reservation with the larger and more powerful nation of Klamath, the Modoc were unhappy and determined to return to their home in what is now Northern California. The white settlers there convinced the United States army to capture and remove the Modoc. The fighting occurred in lava beds where the Modoc inflicted heavy casualties while suffering few themselves. The white settlers agreed to negotiate but factionalism within the Modoc tribe thwarted negotiations and led to a Modoc assassination of General Canby and Rev. Eleanor Thomas. Eventually, the Modoc leader, Captain Jack, was executed for the assassination.