After the
Battle of Lost River in November 1872, Captain Jack's band settled into the area around stronghold for several months. The Modoc used the lava beds as a defensive stronghold because of the rough terrain, rocks that could be used in fortification, and irregular pathways to evade pursuers. On January 17, 1873, a combined U.S. Army command of 225 soldiers supported by 104 Oregon and California volunteers were defeated by 51 Modoc warriors at the
First Battle of the Stronghold. A total of 35 Whites were killed and many wounded while the Modoc suffered no deaths or serious injuries. The
Second Battle of the Stronghold took place on April 15–17. After getting additional reinforcements, the US force captured the stronghold's spring as well as cutting off access to
Tule Lake. The attack resulted in the death of one officer and six enlisted men while thirteen soldiers were wounded. Reportedly the only Modoc casualty was a boy who was killed when a cannonball he tried to open with an axe, exploded and several Modoc women who died from sickness. After being cut off from their only water sources, the Modoc escaped on April 17. They used a crevice that had been left unguarded while US troops were moved from one position to another in preparation for the final assault on the stronghold. Over the next few weeks, most of the band were caught. The last group, which was made up of Captain Jack, John Schonchin, Black Jim, and Boston Charley, were finally captured on June 1, 1873. After being convicted of murdering General
Edward Canby and Reverend Eleazer Thomas at a peace parley in April 1873, Captain Jack and the three others were hanged on October 3, 1873, at
Fort Klamath. Canby would be the only US general to be killed in the
Indian Wars. ==Historic site==