Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-18

NEW loKE, oct II.
The following details are received OF the
fight with aud capture of Chief Joseph and
hi. \ez Pvrces. The Indians were found
GA the morning of sept SJtA Gen. Miles
urged everything forward. The cavalry
and infantry were mounted on Indian po-
niles, a. well a. the pack train. Coming
suddenly upon the herd Of Indian hotse,
guarded by the boys Of the tribe dash Of
the second cavalry secured 200 ponies al
most before the warriors. concealed beyond
the hefders, knew Of the prox unity Of the
troops
Their WAY seemed clear. but suddenly
their horses halted In the midst Of gallon
at the edo" ~ q -'~"r bank ""e''""AinS a
rayinc. al the bottom OF which stood the
lodges OF the Ncz Perces
The officers called TO men to d!,mount,
and all flung brides and larlats Ia the
wind. and pulling rifles from saddle pu.u.
mels, discharged them a, the lodges bu.ow.
The volley was fiercely returned. aud
then Major Halc's voice sounded, charge,
boys"
The Indian boys broke away with the
rest of the horses in Wild gallop TO the
right. They we're followed By all three
/ companies OF the cavalry. which were ord
cred not only 10 capture Is many animals
as possible. but 10 work around the rear
Of Joseph's encampment. TheI Miles
! trotted to the head OF the 9Th cavalry aud
ordered the charge.
The three companies OF the OH were
commanded by Maj Hale. one OF Casters
| trusted lieuteuants, by Capt. Godfrey, aud
| Capt. Moylan.
At the same instant the Major received
| his first wound. bat with others leaped
| down the embaukinent. Just a. he allghted
II ~r.Ils
wounding him in the throat.
| He staggered, but raising his right hand
/ again. shouted Charge Them" lie then
| fell forward upon hi, face. dead. His
| Lieut. Biddie was MORALLY wounded and
! at the same moment he reeled backward
/ and fell across hi body. Meanwhile their
| comrades. amid wild outcries, were firing
| into and sackng the NeZ Perces lodges.
/ Lieut. Eckerson. raising himself from the
! gully, after his leap. called out 10 his men
Fire wherever you see head.
| The firing from the Indians on'their first
recovery after the retreat, Is described as
terrific. Capt. Godfrey aud Capt. Way
Ian were wounded. The men OF the eth
| went down like stones. aud the command
was forced 10 fail bach. So critical was
the position OF these compaHies OF the Eth
! that they were probably only saved from
I wholesale slaughter 10y the arrival OF the
| 9Th infantry al the verge OF the bank.
Gen. Miles was everywhere encouraging
his meh. 4 scout says: 1t was com-
| pletc wonder that the old man did not 90
| under in the trst hour. He was the damn
eldest devil | ever Jaw at the head OF such
a column in an Indian scrinmage. He
| was everywhere, aud everyone OF the boys
seemed To know him. When they heard
him call out. they jumped. you bet
The troops did jump so rercely into the
| bloody breach that more than nf.y oiic ers
| and men were killed and disabled in the
assault. After that the fighting proceeded
more warily.
They dismouuted in line and opened
such an effective fire that the Indians re-
treated preciptately TO their holes.
Miles sent 1t. jerome to the Indians
camp to inspect. and White Bird kept him
all day in a deep hole, out of reach of bull
| lets, until Joseph was returned.
Joseph was Inclined then to surrender.
but White Bird would not agree TO it. fear.
ing Imprisonment and handouts. Snow
fell all the second day of battle but no def
mite results were obtained except keeping
Indians in their holes.
Gen. Miles discovering the Indian posi-
tons surrounded them. posted his men so
as to command them on al! sides and com
PEELED them to stick TO their barracks. The
sQuaws and children were secluded in the
deepest pits. out of range. The night
brought temporary truce.
With the extreme cold and snow. the
wounded soldiers suffered badly. They eX-
pected the Indians would crawl out and
scalp them. but on the contrary the lndi
ans said they would not Kill those who
were hurt. Me no kill man who can't
shoot; plenty men can shoot The lndi-
ans. however, robbed the wounded, though
10 one or two instances they put blankets
over them. Next day Joseph came to
Miles tent and coolly proposed TO close the
engagement by giving up The arms take q
from the dead.
Gen. Miles hal so carefully placed his
troops that no; man was killed after the
assault on the first day, though the savases
continually suffered.