The New York herald., 1877-10-15


promise to Joseph that II he should surrender he
would be subjected to the decision OF military
commission, TO be appointed forthwith That was
General Howard's first mistake, for under such
threat Chief Joseph, his brother and White Bird
with the rest OF the Nez Perces cniels resolved in
council not to submit II they could avoid it. The
great number OF horses possessed by them enabled
these Indians to distance General Howard
throughout their long march-a movement which
has attracted the attention of the entire country
HowARD's OMISSIONS.
When the entire truth about the Nez Perces cam
pagn comes to be known, ana 1t cannot be iully
known until both General Howard and Chief Joseph
are and give their versions OF their individual
movements II Will probably appear that while
General Howard was undoubtedly greatly encum.
bered and hampered on his march by artillery and
wagons, and fairly outstripped by superior horse
flesh during that terrible stern chase he omitted on
one or two occasions TO summon his troops to that
extra exerton which might haye enabled them,
by night marches, to surprise and overcome
their foe.
JosEPH's DIsDAIN FOR HOWARD
There can now be no question that Joseph
speedily learned to disdaln General Howard and
his tactics. When he was overtaken and pounced
upon by General John Gibbon at the Big Hole
Mountains, on the 9th OF August Joseph was
greatly perplexed.
"What KIND Of an outfit is thiss' he exclaimed.
"This can't be the Bible Chiei?"
And he speedily found out that 1t was not How
ard .'the Bible Chiet" as the Indians have learned
to cali him. General Gibbon on that memorable
day, had he had as many men under his command
as General Miles had when he encountered the Nez
Perces at the loot OF the Bear Paw Mountains,
would doubtless have saved the latter oncer the
trouble OF the movements he has just made ana
carried or for himself the glory OF the victory
achieved by the more fortunate Miles.
GENERAL NILES SUCCESSFUL PLAN.
When General Miles started in pursuit OF Joseph
and his determined band oi warriors on the 18th
OF september, from the mouth OF the Tongue
River, he had formed his plan OF operations 50
shrewdly and accurately that he was led to say to
OF his officers, pointing to his map, 'There's
where iii strike them.n He struck the Nez
Perces camp the soth OF September, after toll.
some and determined march OF twelve days, at a
point within six miles OF the spot he had indicated
on the map before setting his troops in motion.
EAGERNEss or MILES, MEN TO FIGHT.
The officers and men under General Miles, CON-
mand were so eager Tor the first charge when
they came in sight OF Joseph's intrenched camp
glorious fght several OF the men perlshed through
sheer excess Of bravery and nardihood. But after
the first and desperate charge their General SO
disposed his troops to insure the subsequent
victory without further loss OF their lives
General Miles placed his men IN rne pits, which
from day to day, or rather from night to night,
when concealment was possible among the barren
gulches and ravines, were dug nearer and nearer
to the lines of the Indians. He succeeded at first in
surrounding them, but that success was not eifec-
tual in compelling them to make speedy surrender,
as the hostiles were glutted with supplies, amply
sufficient tor long siege.
CUTTING OFF A SUPPLY OF WATER.
On ascertaining the fact that provisions were
plenty IN the Indian camp General Miles, next en-
deavor, therefore, was to stop their supply of
water. His approaches by series OF new rifle pits,
dug during the following night, promised to do this
eflectually, and Joseph not slow to discover the
utter hopeessness Of his holding out against the
government troops, for the supply Of water once
cut OF entaied suffering ON his animals as weil as
his braves, their squaws and children
l need not repeat the tale already told to the
readers Of the HERALD OF Joseph's propositions
and fnal preparations for surrender, but now send
you some further details OF the scene, which will
be found interesting.
GENERAL HOWARD SAYS "AMEN.n
When ut last the Nez Perces chletaln and his
principal supporters decided that the entire band
should formally surrender, Joseph came into Cen
eral Niles camp, ill alone, and announced the de-
cision he and his warriors had come to- BY that
time General Howard had arrived on the scene
with his slender escort, consisting OF only seven
teen men, With spirit that became a Christian
soldier General Howard went up to General Miles
and SAID to him:-
General. come here and find that IL is all right
This is your fight. | want TO say amen TO every
thing you have done"
When Joseph entered the lines established by
General Miles he passed by General Howard Ill
surly silence, paying no heed to the presence OF
tile "Bible Chiet," and walked up deliberately to
the spot where General Miles was standing. When
he found himself in front Of General Miles the willy
chieftain drew himself up haughtly and said:--
81 want to surrender TO you."
JosEPns PERSONAL APPEARAScE
AS the Indian chief thus stood before hts captor
q sclfacknowledged prisoner he presented the
figure and men OF as gallant warrior chieftain
as ever confessed himself fairly beaten at the game
Of war. About thirty.fve years OF age,
i've feet ten inches In height. and clad IN