Charley, holding them subject to his orders. In reply to this demand, Green sent word that Jackson would at once leave the post with about thirty men.
It had never been in contemplation by the superintendent or agents, or by General Canby, that any number of troops under fifty should attempt to arrest Jack and his head men. Indeed, the general had issued a special order early in September, giving the commander of the district of the Lakes control of the troops at Fort Klamath, that in an emergency he might have men enough to make the attempt at removal successful. On receiving these instructions Wheaton replied that he had directed Green to keep him fully and promptly advised by courier of any chantre in the attitude of the Modocs, and should it be necessary he should move into the Modoc country with every available mounted man from Camp Harney, Bidwell, Warner, and Klamath.
Had a strong force of cavalry been called out, and proceeded with proper caution, doubtless the arrest might have been made. But the officers at Foit Klamath flattered themselves that the Indians would yield at once to the troops, the more so that the weather was stormy and unfavorable to escape. Green, therefore, after despatching a courier to Wheaton, did not wait for instructions or reënforcements, but sent upon this doubtful errand a force of thirty-six men, believing that if surprised the Indians would surrender.
The troops left Fort Klamath at noon on the 28th of November, officered by Jackson, Boutelle, and McEldery. Odeneal, who had sent his messenger Brown to notify all settlers who would be endangered by an unsuccessful engagement with the Indians, also met Jackson on the road about one o'clock on the morning of the 29th, and directed him to say to the head men of the Modocs that he had not come to fight them, but to conduct them peaceably to Yainax,
