Finally in the early 1870's General Canby, from Portland, set a small military group to force the Modocs out of their homeland. The troops arrived to one of the Modoc villages along the Lost River. The Modocs were armed when the troops arrived and were ready to give up a fight. The Modocs were given their terms and when they didn't agree, the troops fired off a warning shot. The Modocs took this as confrontation and fired back. The Modocs retreated back to their other village after losing some men and killing some of the troopers. The war had started, the Modocs convened and the army went to the nearest Fort to help their wounded. .
Hooker Jim, the Modoc's fiercest warrior, led a raid on the surrounding cabins inhabited by white men. He was angry that the Army had killed his fellow men and gave a message by murdering at least 14 of the men owning the homes. Word gets up to General Canby that the Indians weren't moving as easily as first thought. Canby ordered troops including militias equaling a thousand men to remove the Modocs at any cost. The troops were put into sections led by Klamath Indian scouts to move in on the Modoc land. .
The Modocs were dwelling in an area of land that was created out of lava beds and displayed sharp rocks and giant craters. It was the ideal place to fight from because it was impossible to sneak up on. One could find shelter from incoming fire behind any rock and counterattack without being seen. .
It was early in the morning when the troops decided to move in and a fog was set among the sharp lava rocks. The Modocs were hidden by the fog, they knew the terrain, and took advantage of the excellent concealment provided by the hundreds of outcroppings and ridges. The troops brought in cannons to quickly take over but due to the immensely thick fog, the troops couldn't see where to fire. The Army forces began moving in struggling over the rocks meanwhile firing on the Modocs.