Modoc (1982)

[Music] [Music] it didn't have to be that way leaders on both sides miscalculated maybe it was inevitable perhaps the two cultures could never have lived together as equals [Music] the modok were a tribe of individuals strong will outspoken feared by their [Music] neighbors the land was Bountiful it fed them and sheltered them it provided all that was [Music] needed they lived in a world governed by tradition and [Music] Magic the coming of the white man changed all that thousands of settlers passed through the modok lands they killed the game and muddied the streams they introduced the horse and the gun and claimed ownership of the [Music] land they brought whiskey and smallpox and [Music] Christianity oh oh unhappy with conditions on the reservation the modok returned to their village located near the California Oregon border on land now owned by the settlers the chief of this band was an eloquent and intelligent young man dubbed Captain Jack by the white man he lived with his two wives a sister and a young daughter in a community of 150 the modok had decided to live as free men in their own [Music] [Music] country like many of the young men of the tribe Captain Jack frequented the towns often trading with the miners and settlers there was a great demand for the services of the modok women the powerful Medicine Man curly-headed doctor viewed the white culture as a threat to the CRI and his own authority he called for a return to the traditional ways dancing the Ghost Dance he told his people that Warriors from Generations past would rise from the grave to fight he demanded confrontation with the white man the modok became increasingly belligerent towards the settlers they demanded payment for the use of their land an uneasy peace lasted several years [Music] responding to the demands of the frightened settlers the troops attempted to force the modok to return to the reservation they were reinforced by local volunteers the modok were taken by surprise they began to surrender suddenly shots were fired a short and bloody battle was fought the War had begun the Menon man and his followers were outraged by the surprise attack they swept across the countryside slaughtering 14 settlers no one had been warned of the Army's actions the modok were indicted for murder in Oregon public sentiment demanded [Music] War the rest of the tribe led by Captain Jack took refuge in the The modok [Music] Fortress an impenetrable Labyrinth of volcanic rock used by the Modo for [Music] Generations a network of trails and natural trenches provided a completely secure link between the firing [Music] position fortifications ensured protection for the Warriors from Vantage points the modok Could See For [Music] Miles they watched and waited for the inevitable attack a bitter dispute took place within the tribe Captain Jack knew it was Folly to fight the soldiers he wanted to negotiate for peace Curley had a doctor and his followers were now wanted for murder and felt they had no choice but to fight the medicine man promised magic that would turn aside the white man's bullets and ensure Victory to fight or not a vote was taken 14 for Captain Jack and peace 37 for the doctor and War the troops were confident 50 Savages were no match for trained soldiers volunteers from California and Oregon joined the fight Indian Scouts were hired for the first time War correspondents covered an Indian [Music] War the army of 400 attacked at dawn through a thick fog 50 modok Warriors waited hidden in the rocks and crevices the advance was stopped with gunfire that seemed to come from every direction the soldiers never saw Indian the entire day by Nightfall it was [Music] over the troops were completely routed the whole nation now knew of the modok war [Music] [Music] Captain Jack now felt he could negotiate from a position of strength if the white man wanted peace he would have to come to him the war had become a public issue President Grant responding to political pressure formed a Peace Commission to seek an end to the hostilities general Canby the commander of the Pacific region took charge of the peace effort in aov's strength he moved his troops to a camp within view of the the modok stronghold he then established contact with Captain Jack Jack demanded a reservation in the modok Homeland and amnesty for the murders of the settlers General Canby and his staff believed too much blood had been spilled for the modok to live in peace in the area he agreed to Jack's demand for amnesty but offered only a vague promise of fair treatment if the modok surrendered the medicine man and his followers looked on with susp I the Army's Maneuvers were further proof of their real intentions they wanted to fight and they believed they could win again the troop buildup continued Warm Springs Indians ancient enemies of the modok were hired as Scouts a thousand soldiers now confronted the modok reports of Indian uprisings Disturbed the government leaders the stalemate had to be broken Canby renewed his efforts for peace another series of conferences reached an impass he delivered an ultimatum surrender or fight a violent argument raged in the modok stronghold the war party wanted Captain Jack to assassinate Canby and the other peace Commissioners at the next conference Captain Jack refused such an act would lead to the extermination of the tribe it would be be a doomed course of action the Lava Beds would never be taken the medicine man promised his magic would ensure Victory Captain Jack was knocked down a woman's hat and Shaw were thrown over him he was taunted called a coward and a [ __ ] kill or be killed he was told angry and humiliated Jack struggle to his feet I will do it I will kill CI although I know it will cost me my life and the lives of my people but I will do it through the night they danced true to his word Captain Jack carried out the desperate plan to kill General CI the modok fled to their stronghold an outraged Nation demanded Justice the troops attacked from two sides 50 modok defended by shuttling their men through the trenches the modok were able to stop Advance after Advance the Army suffered many casualties the modok only one with the Indians surrounded the situation became desperate on the third day the fighting intensified the modok were low on ammunition and cut off from their water pressed on all sides they had had to evacuate if they were to continue to fight the next day the soldiers captured an empty Fortress the modok were free and a threat to the entire region they had to be [Music] found a large Patrol was set out to locate the Indians the modok attacked from all sides the modok continued to roam the countryside attacking Supply trains and outposts at will the soldiers were paralyzed with fear and unable to fight the seemingly Invincible Indians fresh troops and a new general attempted to turn the tide larger patrols were sent out another contingent was ambushed once again the soldiers panicked Captain Jack directed the attack from a nearby Ridge he wore C's uniform and brandished the dead General's sword the soldiers were stunned by the sight they turned and charged they routed the surprised MoDOT capturing their ammunition and more importantly mortally wounding a close Ally of curly-headed doctor the modok spell was broken [Music] you that night the modok burned the body of their Fallen Warrior a fierce debate divided the tribe the medicine man and his followers blamed the death on Captain Jack they charged him with protecting his friends at the expense of the others they refused to follow his leadership any [Music] longer the tribe split in two the Indians were tired and hungry and now on the defensive the Army picked up the trail of the medicine man and his half of the tribe pounding them across miles of the barren Countryside several days later he surrendered to his people four of the modok prisoners were hired by the Army to track down their chief they guided the Army to a remote Canyon where they found the rest of the tribe weary and beaten Captain Jack was the last to surrender bitter and [Music] betrayed the war was over after a brief trial Captain Jack and three others were hanged as the tribe watched [Applause] those who helped the Army were pardoned and sent to a reservation in Oklahoma with the rest of the tribe the only Indian War fought in California 50 against [Music] 1,000 the modok were defeated as much by the divisions within the tribe as by the army they fought it didn't have to be that way or maybe it did [Music] [Music] ah