The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-11-01
CHIEF JOSEPH'S CAMPAIGN.

CHIEF JOSEPH'S CAMPAIGN.
The Equipment and Resources Of the Ncz
Perccs and the GeneraIship
OF their Chief
IL has been ascertained that the re.
sources of Chief Joseph and,his band we're
on the most extensive scale, their equip.
! ment being really remarkable for its
value and completeness, From the time
when Joseph first left his stronghold in
Oregon until the day he was encountered
by Gen. Miles, on Snake Creek, his band
Travelled nearly 1900 miles. This was a
wonderful march, as Joseph did not per-
form it with his warriors alone, for he had
with him, during the entire campaign;
all the wives and children of his dusky
braves.
Although his movements were natu.
rally encountered by the presence of
these women and children, the willy chief,
during his whole march, displayed at all
times all those qualities and devices only
possessed by a first rate military COM
with consummate ability and shrewdnees.
1t was this superior intelligence and mil.
itary skill on his part which enabled him
TO outsttip his pursuers AND almost gain
success in his famous retreat toward the
mountains
The fighting strength of Joseph's band
consisted of something more than three
hundred intrepid warriors, all Injured to
the hardships OF savage warfare and
trained to skillful use of modern FIRE
arms. All of these warriors we're mag.
nifcently armed with the best descIip-
tions of magazine rifles known to the
military service, and it would be inter-
esting to know how these Nez Perces In.
dians were able thus to equip themselves,
though it is to be inferred that these rifles
we're procured through traders and at
enormous cost, for the price of such weap-
ons must have greatly increased over
those asked in the eastern cities. Besides
these magazine or repeating rifles Joseph
also carried with him on his retreat
number of needle guns OF the longest
range, a few of which were provided with
telescope sights, showing how advanced
in military science and knowledge was
the leader of the band. One OF the rifles
in Jossph's possession was Creedmore
sporting rifle of the pattern most ap
proved in New York.
When he started on the march in Ore
gon Joseph took with him 2000 horses
and ponies, 50 that be had enough ami
mails to enable all the squaws and little
ones to ride, and at the same time leave
sufficient to provide three steeds for each
fighting warrior.
There can now be NO question that
Joseph speedily learned to disdain Gen.
Howard and his tactics When he was
overtaken and pounced upon by Gen.
John Gibbon at the Big Hole mountains,
on the 9th of August, Joseph was greatly
perplexed.
"What kind of an outfit is this?" he
exclaimed "This can't be the Bible
chief?
And he speedily found out that it was
not Howard, the Bible chief" AZ the
Indians have learned to call him. Gen.
Gibbon, on that memorable day, had he
bad as many men under his command as
Gen. Miles had when he encountered the
Nez Perces at the foot of the Bear Paw
mountains, would doubtless have saved
the latter officer the trouble of the move
ment he has Just made, and carried off
for himself the glory of the victory
achieved by the more fortunate Miles
As organized aud conducted this last
/; battle by Joseph and his band deserve to
be considered carefully, in order that the
military genius Of the Nez Perces chief
tain may be properly appreciated.
Taken in consideration with the brilliant
a and substantial victory achieved by G"n.
I, Miles, the entire scheme OF operations on
both sides deserve high rank among the
many campaigns that have been fought
out a.Ong the Indian frontier.
The fact hat Joseph and his tribe o
u Nez Percts are Indians 50 uncom mon, st
different from the Sioux whom the Sit
e ting Bull commission are presently tt
l. meet, that those wi.cacIes in the cas-
Is who would settle The Indian question
N without adequate knowledge OF the tru,
=. state OF affairs cinuOt prevent the govern
" mcnt and the press from drawing jus
n and generous distinction beteen thes
If Nez Perces warriors and the coarse saw
d ages following the leadership OF Sittin
u Bull and his congen,rs. -.
,, The manner and method 'f figh,iu
y adopted by these Nez Perces has bee
- slnirable from first 10 lss', and they hav
err taken their mshaps and final defeat will
n. out whimper. They have neve
as scslped dead white man, nor even III
ms treated wounded soldier or citize
- throughout the entire campaign. Wha
Il Il ever tales may have reached you in n
to gard to the alleged cruelties perpetrate
I'd by the Nez Perces are denied here in al
,icipation by the officers and soldiers VII
er have been engaged with them in all th
ccpAicts during the progfessof hostilitie'
=, Whatever scalps have been taken froil
~ the heads of white men were taken ..
members OF other tribes of savages' wn'
ul hoyered along the verge OF the varioli
sh ba,tlefields and swooped down upon deaf
an Nez Perces and white soldiers alike
Iy Tine last word 70 be said OF Chief 'Iosaapi
by in this connection is that the oiigin,a
= difIicuIty between the tribe and tn
Lite aettlers in Oregon has had as ye