The Osceola times., 1877-10-27
CHIEF JOSEPR's CAMPAIGN.

CHIEF JOSEPR'S CAMPAIGN.
Tho Kqaipmeat and Resources sT the Mes
rerces aaa the aenersiship
or their chief
1t has been ascertained that the re-
sources of Chief Joseph and:his band were
on the most extensive scale, their equip
ment being really remarkable for it's
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
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 womenand children, the willy chief,
during his whole march, displayed ut ali
times all those qualities and devices only
possessed by first rate military COM
msnder, and he conducted the march
with consummate ability and shrewdncss.
1t was this superior intelligence and mil
itary skill on his part which enabled him
TO eutstrip 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 were mag.
nifcently armed with the best descrip.
lions of magazine rifles known TO the
military service, and 1t would be inter.
esting to know how these Nez Perces In
dians were able thus TO equip Themselves,
though it is tn be inferred that these rifles
were procured through traders and ut
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 a
number of needle guns OF the longest
range, few of which were provided with
telescopic sights, showing how advanced
in military science and knowledge was
the leader of the band. One OF the rifles
in Jossph's possession was Crecdmore
sporting rifle Of the pattern most ap-
proved in New York.
When he started on the march in Ore.
gon Joseph took with him 1000 horses
and ponies, ss that he had enough ami
mails to enable all the squaws and little
ones to ride, and at the same time leave
"a. n, ,;a,,t a. proy;ta thxao at o<>Ja fo. 81.
fighting warrior.
There can now be no question that
Joseph speedily learned to disdain Gen.
Howard and his tactics. When he was
overtakcn and pounced upon by Gen.
John Gibbon at the Big Hole mountains,
on the 9th of August. Joseph was greatly
perple1ed.
"What kind Of an outfit is this?" he
exclaimed. "This can't be the Bible
chief?"
And he speedily found out that 1t was
not Howard, "the Bible chief" as the
Indians have learned 10 call him. Gen.
Gibbon, on that memorable day, had he
had as many men under his command ms
Gen. Miles had when he encountered the
Nez Derces 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 of
for himself the glory Of the victory
achieved by the more fortunate Miles.
As organized and conducted this last
battle by Joseph and his band deserve 10
be considered carefully, in order that the
military genius of the Nez Pcrces chief.
tain may be properly appreciated.
Taken in consideration with the brilliant
and substantial victory achieved by Gen.
Miles, the entire scheme Of operations on
both sides deserve high rank among the
many campaigns that have been fought
out along the Indian frontier.
The fact that Joseph and his tribe OF
Nez Perces are Indians 10 uncommon, 80
different from the Sioux whom the Sit
ting Bull commission are presently to
meet, that those wiscacres in the east
who would settle the Indian question
without adequate knowledge Of the true
state of afialIs cannot prevent the govern.
ment and the press from drawing just
aud generous distinction beteen these
Neg Perces warriors and the coarse saw.
ages following the leadership of Sitting
Bull and his congentrs.
The manner and method Of fighting
adopted by these Nez Perces has been
admirable from first to last, and they have
taken their mishaps and final defeat with.
out whimper. They have never
scalped dead white man, nor even i'll.
treated a wounded soldier or citizen
throughout the entire campaign. What.
ever tales may have reached you in re-.
gard TO the alleged cruelties perpetrated
BY the Nez Perces are denied here in an
ticipation by the officers and soldiers who
have been engaged with them in all the
conflicts during the progressed hostilitiss.
Whatever scalps have been taken from
the heads Of white men were taken by
members of other tribes of savsges, who
lowered along the verge OF the variou.
battlcfslds and swooped down upon dead
Nez Perces and white soldiers alike
The last word to be said OF Chiei Joseph
in this connection is that the oIigina
difficulty between the tribe and thu
white settlers in Oregon has had as yci