A former Superintendent of Indian Affiars, Meacham served as chairman of the Modoc War Peace Commission, and Cowan notes that "this work on the Modoc War was written by a most competent auhor on the subject, making this volume of great historic value." The illustrations are portraits of the principals in the war, as well as "Sprited and Life-like Engravings, of actual scenes from Modoc Indian life, as witnessed by the author." Cowan p.421; Smith 6628.