The Portland daily press., 1877-10-12
THE INDIANS.
Particulars Of the Fight With J0-
seph.
BRAVERY OF THE UNITED
STATES TROOPS.

New YORK, Oct 1.-THE following details
have beer received of the fight with and cap
ture of the NeZ PerceS. The Indians were
found on the morning of Sep -ember 80. Gen.
Miles urged everything forward, the cavalry,
the infantry mounted on Indian ponies, and
the pack train, and coming suddenly upon
herd of Indian horses guarded by boys of the
tribe, a dash of the I'd cavalry secured 700 DO
MES almost before the warriors, concealed be-
hind the herders, knew of the proximity of the
troops. The Indian boys broke away with the
rest of the horses in wild gallop to the right
They were followed by all three companies of
the I'd cavalry, who were ordered to capture
not only as many animals as possible, but to
work around to the rear of Joseph's encamp-
ment. Then Miles trotted to the head of the
cavalry and ordered the charge. The three
companies of the 9TH were commanded oy Maj.
Hale, one of Clusters trusted lieutenants, Capt.
Godfrey and Capt. Moylan. Their way seemed
Clear but suddenly their horses halted in the
midst of gallop, at the edge of steep bank
overlooking ravine. at the bottom of which
stood the lodges of the Nez Perces. The Off
GERS called to the men to dlsmount, and all
flung their brides and lariants to the wind. and
plucking their rifles from the saddle pommels
discharged them at the lodges below. The VOL
ley was freely returned, and then Major Hale
shouted. "Charge boys At the same instant
the Major received his first wound, but with
the others leaped down the embankment. Just
as he alighted on his feet bullet pierced his
throat giving him mortal wound. He stag
gered, but raising his right hand again shouted.
"Charge themr' He then fell forward upon
bis lace, dead. His lieutenant, Beddle, mortal
ly wounded at the same moment, reeled back
ward and fell across his body. Meanwhile their
comrades amid wild outcries were firing into
and sacking the Nez Perces lodges, Lieut. Eek
erson, raising himself from the gully after his
leap, called out to his men, "Fire wherever you
see a headp'
The first firing from the Indians, on their first
recovery after retreat is described as terrific.
Capt Godfrey and Capt Moylan were wound
ed. The men of the 9TH Went down like straws
and the command was forced to fail back. So
critical was the position of the three companies
of the 7tb that they were probably only saved
from wholesale slaughter by the arrival of
the 9th Infantry at the verge of the bank. The
latter dismounted in line and opened such an
effective fire that the Indians retreated precip-
ltately to their holes Gen. Miles was every
VIII re encouraging his men. A scout says of
him: sit was complete wonder that the old
man did not go under IN the first hour. He
was the widest devil l ever saw at the head of
a column in an Indian scrimnase. He was
everywhere, and every one of the boys seemed
TO know him, and when they heard him call |
out, they j1mpt d, you bet?'
The troops old jump so fercely into the |
bloody breach that more than 80 officers and |
men were killed and disabled in the assault. |
After that the fighting proceeded more wary
Gen. Miles discovering the Indians position, |
surrounded them, posting his men SO as to com |
manu- t0em on all SUES, duu compete Ilem TO |
stick to their burrows. The squaws and chill |
dren were seclud. 10 the deepest pits, out of |
range Night brought temporary truce, and |
ex rene cold and snow. The wounded soldiers |
suffered much. They expected the Indians |
would era vi out and scalp them, but on the |
contrary, the Indians said they would not kill |
those who were hurt.-"Me no kill man who |
can't shoot. Plenty men can shoot" The In
dams, however robbed the wourded; though |
in one or two instances they put blankets over
them.
The next day Joseph came to Mles's tent
and coclly proposed to close the engagement by
giving up the arms taken from the dead. Miles
sent Lieut.. Jerome to the Indian camp to in
spect it, and White Bird kept him all day in
desp hole out of the way of the bullets, until
Joseph was returned. Joseph was inclined |
then to surrender bpt White Bird would not
agree to it, fearing Imprisonment ard hand
cuffs. Snow fell all the second day OF the bat
tie, but no definite results We're Obtained ex-
cept keeping the ILdlans in their holes. Gen.
Miles had so carefully placed his troops that |
not man was killed after the assault on the
first day, though the savages continually suffer
ed. On the 5tn, the day they surrendered, there
about $50 men, squaws and children
ia the Indian pits. Of these about $50 were
Joseph came into Mlles's camp, shook hands,
and proposed TO surrender. The proposition
was instantly granted, and when the scents
eft Gen. Miles was receiving personally the
arms and ammunition from each of the In-
liam said ''How," and rendered his trophies.
)ue added, bad medicine, better next tlmep'
The Indians did not dream at first that they
we're fighting any other than Towards troops,
which they had before encountered. Joseph
lad not learned that he fought with Gibbons
1t Big Hole They took Miles for guerrilla,
lot identifying him with the United States
government
Gen. Miles intends to start for Tongue riv er
With the wounded and prisoners. This ends
he most remarkable Indian fight on record