The New York herald., 1877-10-15
JOSEPH AND SITTING BULL
Graphic Details Of the Surrender Of
the Nez Perces.
GENERAL HOWARD PRESENTS HIMSELF.
The Bible Chief" Says
Amen to Everything.
JWEPH'S ADMIRATION FOB GENERAL MILES.
Il Want to Surrender
to You"
INDIANS AS MILITARY ENGINEERS.
A Remarkable Series of Intrench-
ments and Rifle Pits.
THE SITTING BULL COMMISSION MOVING.
Expectation That the Sioux Chleftain Will
Initiate Joseph.
[Bx TELEaRAPH TO THE HERALD.

lBx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
FoRr BENTON, M. r., Oct. 1o,(
Via HELENA, Oct. H. 1877.
The public interest In the great battle between
the Nez Perces Indians, led by Chief Joseph, and
the United States troops under the command OF
General Nelson A. Miles, and the subsequent sur
render OF the hostiles, the account OF which affair
you have already received by the HERALp's special
courier and the telegraph line from Helena war
rants some further a'luson to Chief Joseph's won
derful march and General Miles, signal achieve
ment
PLUCK OF CAPrOR AND CAPTIVE.
General Alfred II. Terry, who 1t will be re-
membered directed the operations OF the Indian
campaign of last year, which failed in great part
through the splendid rashness OF General George
A. Custer and the of judgment on the part Of
Major Marcus A. Reno, is loud in his praise OF the
Conduct Of General Miles and his brave command,
ana states that he considers both Joseph's cam
paign and General Niles victory as among the
puckiest on record in the history OF Indian cam
paigns.
J0SEPHS MILITARY SKILL AND RESOURCES.
1t has been ascertained that the resources OF
Chief Joseph and his pand were on the most ex-
tensive scale their quipment being really remark
sble for its value and completeness From the
time when Joseph first left his stronghold in Ore
gon until the day he was encountered by General
Niles, on Snake Creek, his band travelled nearly H.
teen hundred miles, This was wonderful march,
hs Joseph did not perform it with his warriors
alone, for he had with him, during the entire cam
paign. all the wives and children OF his dusky
braves
Although his movements were naturally encum-
bered by the presence OF these women and children
Ihe willy chief, during his whole march, displayed
1t all times all those qualities and devices only pos
Iessed by first rate military commander. and he
conducted the march with consummate ability and
Ihrewdness. 1t was this superior intelligence and
military skill his part which enabled him to ont
"TRIP his pursuers and almost gain success in his
Amous retreat toward the mountains
JosEPH's STRENGTH AND ARMAMENT
The fighting strength Of Joseph's band consisted
something more than three hundred intrepid
warriors, all Injured to the hardships OF savage
warfare and trained to skllful use OF modern fire.
srms All OF these warriors were magnldccntly
lrmed with the best descriptions of magazine rifles
nown to the military service, and it would be in.
ercsting to know how these Nez Perces In
lians were able thus to equip themselves
though 1t is to be inferred that these
nhes were procured through traders and at enor
nous cost, for the prices Of such weapons must
lave greatly increased over those asked in the
Eastern cities. Besides these magazine or repeat
NJ rifles Joseph also carried with him on his
'ctreat a number OF needle guns OF the longest
'angc, few Of which were provided with tcle-
Icopic sights, showing how advanced in military
Jcence and knowledge was the leader OF the band
Dne Of the rifles In Josephs possession was q
crecdmoor sporting rife Of the pattern most ap-
proved in New York.
When he started out on the march in Oregon
Joseph took with him 2, 900 horses and ponies, so
that he had enough animals to enable all Of the
jquaws and little ones to ride, and at the same
line leave sufficient to provide three steeds for
bach lighting warrior.
WHY HOWARD FAILED TO ovERTAKE JOSEPH.
General Howard failed to catch Joseph lor the
limpe reason that he began the pursuit with an
Inadequate force, part OF which was totally
provided with the necessary equipment for the
projected campaign. Thus his effective strength
vas reduced and his NOV vements impeded. The
,hase after Joseph was entered upon by General
Howard with too few horses for the long race the
Scz Perces led his troops once the pursuit was
hirly commenced, and, being compelled to make
repeated halts to rest his men and horses Howard
pst considerable time and Joseph was able TO in
crease his distance from his pursuers. This is a sad
ldinIsson to make. but it is the truth and the mel
.ncholy fact remains that savage chieftain was
ble to equip his forces in manner far superior TO
hose sent out by great government, whose re-
Durces should have enabled IL to place a body OF
roops in perfect condition and equipped in the
most approved manner and on liberal scale.
GENERAL uowARD's FIRST MISTAKE.
1t has been discovered that had General Howard
appreciated the situation at the beginning, and
Nen more conversant with the Indian nature. there
nuht have been no Nez Perces campaign at all,
or Joseph and his band would have surrendered
Oregon had the terms dictated been less harsh
md imperative. The Ncz Perces Chief and his
ribe were so well off in their own country, so
atachsd to their homes and farms, where they had