The Cairo Bulletin

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

THE MURDER OF THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS BY CAPT. JACK AND HIS BAND.

GEN. CANBY SHOT DEAD BY CAPT. JACK.

MEACHAM SHOT BY SCHONCHIN AND DR. THOMAS KILLED BY BOSTON CHARLIE.

THE WAY THE COMMISSIONERS WERE DECOYED AND SLAUGHTERED,

ETC., ETC., ETC.

TREACHEROUS INDIANS.
Lava Bed, April 11, via Yreka, April 12.—Yesterday afternoon five Indians came into our camp and were made presents of clothing and provisions by the commissioners, and a message was sent out by the commissioners asking for a talk this morning, at a point a mile above our picket line. Later in the evening "Bogue Charlie" told the picket that he could take his gun, that he (Charlie) did not intend to go out any more. The picket brought him in and took him to the tent of Gen. Canby, where Charlie left his gun, and remained at the tent of Frank Riddle during the night.
This morning Boston Charlie came in and told the commissioners that Capt. Jack and five other Indians would meet the commissioners outside of our line. Boston Charlie and Bogus then mounted horses and started for the lava bed. About an hour after their departure Gen. Canby, Dr. Thomas, Mr. B. W. Meacham, Mr. Dyar, with Riddle and his squaw for interpreters, started for the place appointed. The party arrived at the appointed place and were closely watched by the signal officer, Lieutenant Adams from the signal station, from the hill over-looking our camp. About half an hour after the party had arrived, a cry from the signal station was heard saying that the Indians had attacked the peace commissioners, and that an engagement had commenced between the Indians and Col. Mason. In a moment the troops were under arms and deployed as skirmishers under command of Col. Green. Orders were given to forward, double quick. Very soon after Mr. Dyar returned and told us that the Indians attacked them and that he thought he was the only one who had escaped. In a few minutes Riddle and his squaw were seen within the picket line. From him we learn the following account of how the massacre commenced:
Meacham made a short speech to the Indians, followed by Gen. Canby, then Dr. Thomas.

CAPTAIN JACK
Then made a speech, asking for Hot Creek and Cottonwood, the places now occupied by Fairchild and Dorris, for a reservation. Mr. Meacham told Jack that it was impossible to give him what he asked.

SCHONCHIN
Told Meacham to say no more, that he (Meacham) had said enough upon that subject, and while Schonchin was speaking, Capt. Jack got up and walked behind the others and turned his back and exclaimed "ALL READY."
And drew his pistol and snapped a cap at General Canby. He cocked his pistol again and fired, and GEN. CANBY FELL DEAD, Shot under the right eye. Schonchin then SHOT MEACHAM In the shoulder and head, but he is still alive. Boston Charlie and another Indian shot and KILLED DOCTOR THOMAS. Hoytka Jim chased Dyar some distance, but Dyar turned upon him with pistol in hand, and Jim ran. An Indian knocked Riddle's squaw off her horse and took the horse, but Captain Jack made him return it. Then another Indian chased Riddle and shot at him.

THE TROOPS
Are now about in the lava bed, lying on their arms, and will probably advance to-night under the cover of darkness. There are about six hundred troops which can be brought into active service, and I believe they will put an end to the Modoc war. Meacham is not expected to survive.