The tale of the Modoc War began when the U.S. Government lumped the Modoc and Klamath tribes, historical enemies, together onto the same reservation. When the Klamath started bullying the Modoc, the Modoc left the reservation, some under the leadership of Kientpoos (Captain Jack), others under Hooker Jim! Both tribes wanted their own place at Lost River, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs wasn’t having it! It took 600 U.S. troops and six months (November 29, 1872 – June 1, 1873) to defeat the 60 Modoc hiding in the Lava Beds! Hooker Jim was pardoned for betraying Captain Jack, who was hanged, and the rest of the Modoc rebels were exiled to Oklahoma! This was California’s only major war against Native Americans and the only in which an Army general was killed!