Honored Dead – Modoc War

Presented here is a list of Native Americans, Army soldiers, volunteers, civilians and scouts known to have died during the Modoc Indian War of 1872-73.

This list includes deaths that occurred from the opening day of the Modoc War on Nov. 29, 1872, through the execution of four Modoc leaders on Oct. 3, 1873. It does not include victims of violence that occurred in the years leading up to the war.

The 89 names shown here include:
15 Modocs, including four executed at Fort Klamath, and four murdered at Adams Point.
49 soldiers, including Brig. General E.R.S. Canby.
12 Tule Lake settlers killed on the opening day of the war by a small band of Modocs.
Civilians, scouts, and state militia volunteers who died in battle or as the result of other hostilities.

Our appreciation goes to Ryan Bartholomew, president of the Malin Historical Society, for compiling this list, relying to a significant degree on work performed by Francis "Van" Landrum and preserved by James Compton.

Listed is the individual’s name, followed by status, circumstances surrounding the death, and death date.

Albin, James, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte battle, April 26, 1873.

Alexander, R., civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 29, 1872.

Banner, John, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Benham, William, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte battle, May 6, 1873.

Benson, John, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Big Ike, Modoc, Second Stronghold battle, April 15, 1873.

Black Jim, Modoc, executed, Oct. 3, 1873.

Bloom, Louis, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte battle, April 26, 1873.

Boddy, William, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 29, 1872.

Boston Charley, Modoc, executed, Oct. 3, 1873.

Boyle, William, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Branner, John, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Brotherton, R., civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Brotherton, W.K., civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Brotherton, William, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Brown, private., Oregon Volunteer, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Brown, James, private., Oregon Volunteer, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Canby, E.R.S., Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Peace Tent, April 11, 1873.

Captain Jack (Keintpoos), Modoc, executed, Oct. 3, 1873.

Collins, John, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Cranston, Arthur, first lieutenant, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Cravigan (Boddy) Richard, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 29, 1872.

Cravigan (Boddy) William, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 29, 1872.

Crooks, Jeremiah, California Volunteer, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Curley Headed (Haired) Jack, Modoc, suicide, June 8, 1873.

Dean, Corporal, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 15, 1873.

Donohue, William, private, U.S. Army, Lands Ranch, Dec. 22, 1872.

Ellen's Man George, Modoc, Dry Lake Battle, May 10, 1873.

Erasmus, C., civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Fisher, Adolphus, private, U.S. Army, Dry Lake Battle, 5/11/1873.

Flynn, Michael, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Geib, Fredrick, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Glaerman, Carl, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Greasy Boots, Modoc, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Harman, Henry, private, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 16, 1873.

Harris, George, first lieutenant, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, May 12, 1873.

Harris, James private, U.S. Army, Lost River Battle, Nov. 29, 1872.

Harvard, Francis, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Hebin, James, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Hollis, George, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Hovey, Eugene, civilian teamster, killed by Hooka Jim, April 17, 1873.

Howard, Thomas, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Howe, Albion, first lieutenant, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Johnson, Charles, private, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 15, 1873.

Laselle, Charles, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Lebastea, Warm Springs Scout, Dry Lake Battle, May 10, 1873.

Little John, Modoc, Adams Point murders, June 7, 1873.

Long, Robert, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Lynch, John, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Miller, Henry, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Monroe, James, private, U.S. Army, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1872.

Mooch, Modoc, Adams Point murders, June 7, 1873.

Mooney, Lawrence, Corporal, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Moran, Edward, bugler, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Morgan, Richard, Sergeant, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 17, 1873.

Nuesbaum, Berthold, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Nus, Wendolyn, civilian, Lost River Battle, Nov. 29, 1872.

Old Tales, Modoc, Second Stronghold Battle, April 15, 1873.

One-Eyed Watchman, Modoc, Lost River Battle, Nov. 29, 1872.

Parker, John, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Pony, Modoc, Adams Point murders, June 7, 1873.

Rexford, William, Oregon Volunteer, unknown circumstances, Jan.3, 1873.

Roberts, George, lieutenant, California Volunteer, First Battle of Stronghold, Feb. 9, 1873.

Romer, Robert, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Rose, James, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Saper, John, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Schira, Nicholas, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 29, 1872.

Schonchin John, Modoc, executed, Oct. 3, 1873.

Searly, William, bugler, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 15, 1873.

Seelig, Herman, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Shacknasty Frank, Modoc, unknown circumstances.

Sherwood, William, first lieutenant, U.S. Army, Hospital Rock attack, April 14, 1873.

Shillingbow, Adam, civilian, Tule Lake settler murders, Nov. 30, 1872.

Smith, Sydney, private, U.S. Army, Clear Lake, Dec. 21, 1872.

Smith, William, bugler, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 16, 1873.

St. Clair, Julius, corporal, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Tattim, Corporal, U.S. Army, Dry Lake Battle, May 11, 1873.

Te-He-Jack, Modoc, Adams Point murders, June 7, 1873.

Thomas, Eleazar, civilian Peace Commission member, Peace Tent, April 11, 1873.

Thomas, Evan, captain, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Thurber, John, civilian, Lost River Battle, Nov. 29, 1872.

Tolten, James, corporal, U.S. Army, Dry Lake Battle, May 10, 1873.

Trimble, Frank, private., Oregon Volunteer, First Battle of Stronghold, Jan. 17, 1873.

Wallace, Michael, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Ward, John, private, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Wassamukka, Warm Springs Scout, Dry Lake Battle, May 10, 1873.

Webber, Louis, civilian, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.

Welsh, John, private, U.S. Army, Second Stronghold Battle, April 20, 1873.

Wright, Thomas, first lieutenant, U.S. Army, Hardin Butte Battle, April 26, 1873.