A short trail to the location where U.S. General Edward Canby was killed by Captain Jack.”
— QuinTCM TCM
Family Friendly: A short and easy trail with some history.
Dogs: No Dogs
The trailhead is located at a parking area along the road that runs the length of the northern border of the monument. The trail is located to the east of the north entrance station to the monument. The trail is short and paved. It's end at an obvious cross.
Canby's Cross marks the location where General Edward Canby was killed by Captain Jack, the leader of the Modoc Warriors. General Canby, attempting to broker peace between the Modoc and the U.S. government, sent word to Captain Jack and his men that he wanted to meet for peace talks. However, peace talks between the two groups had previously failed numerous times.
On April 11, 1873, General Canby came unarmed to a peace talk but Captain Jack did not. Pressured by his men to kill General Canby, Captain Jack shot General Canby twice in the head and slit his throat after General Canby explained he did not have the authority to grant the Modoc a home in their own land. General Edward Canby was the only U.S. General killed during the Indian Wars.