Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-10-27
CHIEF JOSEPn'S CAMPAIGN.
The Equipment and Resources of the NFs
Pcrces aud the GeneraiShIo
Of their Chief

Pcrecs aud the GeneraiShIp
Of their Chief
it has been ascertained that the re-
sources of Chief Joseph and,hi4 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. Thi, vas a
wonderful march, as Joseph did not per-
form it with bis 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 first rate military com
mander, and he conducted the march
with c0nsummate ability and shrewdness.
1t was this superior intelligence and mil
itary skill on his part which enabled him
to outstrip his purouers 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 hardshipa OF savage warfare and
trained to skillful use Of modern FIRE
| n e
nifcently armed with the best descrip-
tions of magazine rifles known to the
military service, and it would be inter-
esting to know how these Nez Perces In
dians We're able thus to equip Themselves,
though tits to be inferred that these rifles
were 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 a
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 Jo5,ph's possession was a 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, SO that he 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 disdaiu 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
perplexed.
What kind of an outfit is this" he
exclaimed, "This cant be the Bible
chief ?"
And he speedily found out that it was
not Howard, "the Bible chief as the
Indians have learned to call him. Gen.
Gibbon, on that memorable day, had he
had 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 haye saved
the latter officer tie 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 to
be considered carefully, in order that the
military genius OF the NCz Pcrce3 chief
tain may be properly appreciated
I Taken in consideration with the brilliant
and substantial victory achieved byGsn
Miles, the entire scheme OF operations on
| both sides deserve a high rank among the
many campaigns that have been fought
out a.ong the Indian frontier.
The fact that Joseph and his tribe Of
Nez Perces are Indians SO uncommon, sc
different from the Sioux whom the Sit
ting Bull commission are presently u
meet, that those wiseacres in the eas
who would settle the Indian question
without adequate knowledge of the true
state OF affairs cannot prevent the govern
ment aud the press from drawing jus
and generous distinction beteen these
Nez Perces warriors and the coarse say
ages following the leadership OF Sitting
Boil and his cOngener3.
The manner and method of fghtin.
adopted by these Nez PJrces has beer
admirable from first to last, and they have
takentheir mishaps and final defeat with
out whimper. They have neve
scalped dead white man, nor even i'll
treated wounded soldier or ctizel
throughout the entire campaign. What
ever tales may have reached you in re
gard to the alleged cruelties perpetrateC
by the Nez Perces are denied here in an
ticipation by the officers and soldiers VIII
have been engaged with them in all tn
conflicts during the progressof hOstilities
Whatever sCalps have been taken from
the heads of white men were taken b,
members of other tribes of savages, VIII
hovered along the verge OF the variou
battlefelds and swooped down upon dea
Nez Perces and white soldiers alike
The last word to be said of Chic Josepl
in this connection is that the otigins
difficulty between the tribe and tn
white settlers in Oregon has had as yC
but confused and unsatisfactory de
scription, When the whole truth
made known the question will assume a
aspect quite different from the one
now rs.-N Y, Hrdid.