The New York herald., 1877-10-11

Saie" ~ shahc cunulng-pTopOscu 10 Close the
engagement by sure ndcring the arms he had taken
from the dead soldiers General Miles was struck
by the strange and savage humor OF this PROPOSE
tion. He invited Joseph into his tent and there
interviewed him efficiently. Joseph, although a
great chief, was not the suriiest warrior among his
people lie developed a civilized trait in ths-he
desired safety for hts squaws and offspring Gen.
cral Miles said 70 Joseph. .'Sit here whc.r This
was signal to Joseph OF his captivity. Retaining
Joseph, Miles sent into the Indian camp
one OF his favorte officers, Lieutenant
Jerome. Hc was instructed to review and
report upon the Indian position and every
detail OF the Indian fortincations He was re.
ccived by the Nez Pcrces and permitted to walk
about their cncampment During the temporary
truce white nag noated over the Nez Perces
stronghold. The nag stayed during the whole OF
the second day. and was visible on the morning OF
the third. II consisted OF whole sheet OF stolen
bunting.
LIEUTENANT JgRoME's EXPERIENCE IN THE INDIAN
CAMP
General Miles having detained Joseph the Indian
chief White Bird sent word TO Miles that If
Joseph should be held as prisoner or punished he,
White Bird, would XII Lieutenant Jerome. The
latter was treated In tho interval with the
utmost kindness that Indians are capable or lie
was provided with deep pit for shelter, which
which hummcd into the Indian camp night and day.
White Bird sent him blankets AMI the squaws
coddlcd him. He had during the day and night he
was held prisoner the best accommodations that
could be Afforded him In his singular plight.
THE FIGHTING RENEWED
Joseph's proposal to surrender was rejected BY
White Bird and by the principal chiefs and war;
rlors who survived the death OF Looking Glass.
Indeed, most OF the Nez Perce warriors scofrcd at
the notion OF surrender Snow fell on the second
day, but the halfoad Indians who lay in their holes
were just as little anxious to end the fight as were
the worried soldiers who began It. Colloquics SIM
liar to those along the fortifcatons during the
late civil war frequently were exchanged When
at lasta charge was ordered and General Miles
called out ''Chargc them to hell ~ one OF the Nez
Perces responded, "Charge hell, you God damn
sons Of b--s YOU amt lighting Sioux" With
all their losses our troops found, indeed that
they were not lighting what the Nez Perccs
meant by that sneer. General Miles,
under the threat to XIII Lieutenant Jerome libcr-
ated Joseph, and Lieutenant Jerome returned to
his command. During the second day OF the battle
like the nrst, the snow fell from morning till night
General Miles, mounting his horse anew, rode out
among the soldiers, and clinched their fealty by
talking TO them in this wise :-"Hang TO them to.
night boys Can't have any nres. Stay tonight
and we will manage to get some wood to morrow
Look after thcm boys. Don't let them get away
Let all OF the outsiders get into camp that want TO-
but don't let any get out"
GENERAL NILES DETERMINATION.
Then General Miles, returning 10 his tent which
was already pierced by bullets, sent for two or
three OF his subordinates and asked them what
they thought OF the situation. lie also summoned
his scouts and questioned them. This habit OF
intc crrogation, an invariabe one With him,
Affairs in the ncighborhood OF his camp. One OF
his soliloquies is thus reported by scout, who
probably defaces 1t with more profanity than Gen
cral Miles was guilty of.-''wel damn their souls,
be corralled themselves Wen stay by them; wen
sit up with them. Damned II amt disposed to SIT
up with them right here just as long as they're
awake"
SITTING BULL WILL NOT HELP JOSEPH.
Al this hour there is no doubt General Miles and
his remaining men are sitting up with Joseph and
White Bird and the rest OF that plucky tribe, nor
Is there much doubt in the mind OF General
Perces TO fair surrender. II is certain that
they will accept no dishonorable terms. Not man
among them but knows that he Is caught literally
IN his ditch unless he receives succor from a pow.
pas are the only savages from. whom Joseph can
reasonably expect assistance A messenger from
Sitting Bulls camp arrived later than last even.
ing at the camp OF the scouts. Having, on the way
MINOR, ic0rucu OF tho second OaLLe, no mounted
his horse and repaired back to sitting Bull. Men
acquainted with the Sioux tribes, OF whom Sitting
Buls Ia portion, say that Sitting Bull will NOT in
any case support q friend who Is down. II Joseph
has ailcd, Sitting Bull viii sit down on him.
Should Joseph. by superhuman exertion. ciude
thc.toils now drawn about him he might succeed
in crossing the Canadian border and utilizing,
along with his brother chief, the Dominion as an
asylum and recruiting station as well.
THE SITUATION on THE FRONTIER.
While awaiting tonight the arrival OF courier,
who may supplement this despatch with news OF a
positive victory over the Nez Perces, or their
escape, | ought to remark upon some OF the
phases OF Indian warfare in this remote coun.
try. which are strange to Eastern ears Congress-
which will soon begin TO deliberate on the appro.
priation for the army, had best take heed OF these
recent and pending events IN the far West. The