The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-11
THE MYSTERY or CHfEF JOSEPH.

ages. as they danced around the encampment.
vainly attempting with insulting taunts To
draw the American llavclock forth TO battle.
H. needed naught. for his burning sense of in
justice was taking form In eloquent words His
rapid pen skipped impetuously TO and fro over
the paper: page after page Of manuscript fell
huttcrng like snow flakes to the ground till the
floor Of the tent WIS covered with white. The
Christian commander was replying to the news
paper criticisms on his conduct e the campaign.
' II these gentlemen of the press" he wrote.
knew the true character Of the foe with whom
Ihavc to contend. they would perhaps be slower
to ridioule my policy. The Chief Joseph is
willy. aulacious AMI Inscriptions adversary.
He untcs the comprehensive military genius
Of Il Napoleon with the dash Of Masscna Yet
he does not Ii state to employ the most repre-
hensihlc methods of annoying me. and eludcs
pursuit by stratagems unknown to civilized
warfare. My campaign must not be Judged by
the ordinary standards. for his activity is super
human. his resources apparently boundlcss.
and his lack Of principle wholly beyond belief"
Tho progress OF the Generals composition
was interrupted by the entrance OF II breathless
and agiiated orderly.
We'll" said the Christian soldier. after he
had puuruatcd his last sentence.
Tire orderly touched his hat. "Josoph's
forces are advancing on the outposis. yelling
and swearing like DEVILS"
:" 1t is as | have written" remarked Howard
sadly. This totally unprncpled Aborieine
does not scruple 10 attack me even upon the
holy Sabbath. Direct the Chaplain to 20 out
and read to the enemy the fifth chapter Of Mat
thew"
/ have conscentlously endeavorcd." con-
tinucd the General. resunling his pen. both
hy moral and logical appeals. to bring Joseph
to acknowledge the uureasonabeness of his
attitude toward the United States Government
and toward me. the representative of its mill
tary arm. 1t seems TO be- u case where arsu-
ment is unavailine."
The orderly again appeared at the tent flap
They have scapcd the Chaplain and are still
advancing" he reported.
He WAS a good man." reflected Howard
and W. shall miss him. Try and find some
pious private who will volunteer 10 20 out and
FIN .sh the chapter
Newspaper criticism" wrote the General
continuing his letter. SERVES net only TO en-
courage the enemy. but to grieve me personally.
| am therefore constrained to request that it
may be suspended. and meanwhile l look TO
history Tor the vindicntion OF my"
Another orderly burst into the tent The
sentres are shot!" he cried. What shall we
dof"
A patient yet mournful look ovcrspread the
Christian soldiers features " Put the faG at
half mast" he replied. and make the ncc'.s-
sary arrangements for the funeral tomorrow.
But they have hauled down the fla. and are
making bonfire vi tracts and hymn books
around the pole.'
Summon my officers hthor to deliberate on
the most prudent course OF action to pursue
under the circumstances"
But the red devils are this very minute
stealing your tent pins and the canvas will be-
down on your head"
This is too muchl" murmured the Christian
commander. Saddle my mule without delay
and order "A retreat"
Who is this mysterious leader OF the Nose
pierced Indians Who is this bold. elusive
extraordinary man that terrorizes the North
west. and outmarches. outmanpuvrcs, and out
wits the sagacious and conscientious Howard z
Joseph is no ordinary savage. His general
ship is as superior to the vulgar strategy Of Sit
ting Bull as Marlborough 5 was superior to Jack
Cades. A few months ago he appeared in the
region around Mount Idaho. No one seemed
20 know his history. no ono pretended to bc ac-
quanted with his personality He suddenly
sprang into existence. as il were. and astonished
the nation by the brliancy Of his operations
Fierce and relentless in his hostility TO the
whites. rapid and tirclcss in his movements
vigorous ana far sighted in his plans, brave and
terrible in battle, he has successfully defed the
army of the United States ever since he took the
field.
Who then. is Joseph? II Is true that there
has figured for many years among the rcscrva-
ton tribes of Oregon and Idaho n chicftair
known by that name, poor, spirtlcss creature
who has always been contrntto receive with du,
humility the rations and the Injustice dealt out
10y the Government. That Joseph. however. is
no more capable Of military leadership than M
agency sheep. He Is undoubtedly at this mo-
ment sitting with his squaws in some dilapi
dated wgwam while the mysterious and for
midable warrior who has borrowed his name !,
making it Il terror 10 the whites. This brings
US 10 the next chapter.
III.
The Commissioner of n Chicago newspaper
detailed by his chief to follow the campa igI
of the Nez Perces and write it up regardless o
paper. pencils. or telcgraphic bills arrived n
the scene of action about two months ago. Tn
scene Of inarion. perhaps We should say 10
the Commissioner soon found that Gen. How
ard. being himself occupied much of the time il
| the composition Of dispatches to bcadquartcr
and explanatory letters to the press Of the Paci
lie coast, gave the most onterprislng of CORE
spondents nothing to chronicle.
Disguised with the Christian hcro's sluggish
ness. and mindful of the interests Of his EN-
poycrs. the Commissioner proceeded to carr
on an independent campaign against the enc
| my Being of n bold and warlike disposition
and having fortunately equipped himself Delor
leaving Chicago. not only with note books an
pencils and other purely professional nipple