Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-19

FIVE DAYS OF HARD FIGHTING-THE sURRENDEE
OF CHIEF JOSEPH

FIVE DAYS OF HARD FIGHTING-THE SURRENDER
OF CHIEF JOSEPH.
The New York Herdld's report of the bat
tie Of Gen Miles with the Nez Perees Iecites
that Miles, learning the position of the Nez
Perces, gathered his forces hastily and push
ed on at dawn Of September 30. Three
companies Of the second cavalry dashed upon
the Indian herd, securing 100 ponies. The
Indian herders fled and were pursued.
Miles rode forward to the head of the three
companies of the seventh cavalry, and with
a shout the charge was made. but the horses
suddenly halted at the edge of steep bank,
overlooking the rayiDe, at the bottom Of
which stood the Indian lodges. The three
| companies dismounted and fired upon the
lodges meeting a fierce return. Captain
Hale shouted charge, boys and at the
same instant received his first wound, but
leaped with others over the edge of the en-
bankment As he alighted bullet struck
him in the throat. He stopped, staggered,
and, raising his right hand to his head,
again shouting feebly, "Charge them," he
fell dead. His lieutenant, Biddle, mortally
hurt at almost the same moment, reeled
backwards and fell across his body.
General Miles says the Indian firing
was the most desperate discharge he
ever heard. The men Of the Seventh were
cut down like straws, and the balance
forced back. They were saved from whole
sale slaughter by detachment Of the fifth
infantry. The latter were brought to the
verge of the bank, dismounted, and poured
a most effective volley into the Indians, and
leaped into the bottom. Then eoolly reload
ing, they received a vOlley from the Indians.
Their commander yelled to the cavalry to
come back, and the next instant his men
gave the Indians a salute which caused them
to retreat precipitately to their holes. Miles
was continually riding to and fro, giving
orders to nearly everybody, and exposed at ali
points with the cavalry which'assaulted and
the infantry which supported. More than
fifty soldiers were killed in the first assault
The Indians thereafter Sighting in en-
trenchments, and Miles having killed
nearly thirty of them and discovered their
position, he surrounded the encampment and
compelled them to stick to their burrows.
The squaws and children were secluded in
the deepest pits. Snow fell during the two
days of battle, but the wounded soldiers,
compelled to be on the field beyond
assistance, displayed much heroisn. The
Indians showed no brutality to the wound
ed prisoners. Sixty-seven soldiers were
killed and wounded. More than so war
riors were killed. Their scouts went to Sit
ting Bull for assistance, but have not return
ed. The Indians thought they still were
fighting Howard, and took Miles for a guer-
rilla Three hundred and fifty squaws and
children surrendered also leo warriors.
The capitulation occurred at two O'Clock
Friday afternoon. The troops Immediately
occupied the Indian entertainments. After
the lEdisn cap:p was surrounded the soldiers
closed in upon the ssyages slowly, by con-
stantly extending their line of rife pits.
After the soldiers secured defensive positions
only four casualties occurred. On the last
day of the fight the soldiers commanded the
stream in front of the Indian rifle pits. and
in another day Joseph's supply of water
would have been cut of On the fourth day
of the fight Joseph raised white flag tor
the third time, and offered to surrender if
allowed to retain arms. Miles demanded
unconditional surrender, and the battle was
renewed. The white flag was displayed on
the fifth day, when Joseph advanced and
rendered Miles his gun. Sixty warriors fol-
lowed and surrendered and shook hands.
The troops found 40 disabled warriors in
the encampment. They were properly cared
FOR. A few hours after Gen. Howard with
a small escort arrived. but assumed no con-
troll