Edward Canby

Major General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby graduated from West Point in 1839. During the U.S. Civil War, he prevented Confederate General Sibley from reaching California and led troops that took Mobile in 1865. After the war, Canby was named army commander of the Department of the Columbia. He was later sent to California for participation in the Modoc War. The Modocs, entrenched in the lava beds south of Tule Lake, resisted army attacks so effectively that a peace conference was arranged in 1873. General Canby was shot and killed by Captain Jack of the Modocs on April 11, 1873.

A cross in recognition of his killing was erected in Lava Beds national monument. A photo is available here.