The New York herald., 1877-10-11

Termination OF the Nee Perces War.
After long and exciting chase from Ore
gon to Montana, marked by numerous
bloody skirmishes, the Nez Perces chief,
Joseph, and his band of warriors, squaws
and papooses have surrendered to General
Miles, after a desperate battle on Snake
Greek. We can well apply the term ''war-
riors" to the bold and active redskins who
have for SO long time defeated the efforts
Of three columns of United States troops,
led by experienced officers, to capture or
destroy them. TO this achievement, which
must rank among the surprising instances
of Indian skill in warfare, we can add the
when driven to bay and surrounded by
their enemies, manifested magnanimity
toward such of the wounded white soldiers
rs fell into their power during the last
battle that might we'll be emulated by
troops serving countries that claim to be
civilized
The graphic story of the close of the Nez
Perces campaign by General Miles and his
men, and which we print this morning as
special despatch from the HERALD cor
respondent at Fort Benton, Montana Ter
ritory, is unique in the fulness of its
detail and rich in description Of the wild
scenes that transpired in and around the
Indian fastness. No one can read it with
out experiencing difficulty in determining
whether the highest need of praise is due to
the stubborn courage Of the Indian warrior
defending his last stronghold or to the
equally stubborn gallantry of the soldiers
Of Uncle Sam, who were doing their
haps, in the history Of our Indian
wars had both sides such good reasons for
respecting each others fighting qualities,
and the victory gained by General Miles
must therefore prove fruitful in lasting
peace if only the commonest good sense is
exhibited by the government representa-
tives. The impression produced by the
reckless courage Of our troops in their dash
upon the Indian camp cannot be effaced
from the aboriginal mind unless by that in
fernal policy Of cowardice and treachery
which has too often marked our dealings
by tho settlers, who, as our correspondent
remarks, are anxious that new policy Of
justness and firmness should now be ap-
piled to the solution Of the Indian problem.
To General Miles and his command belong
the glory of this latest victory over the un-
ruly savages. This gallant officer has several
times since the outbreak of hostilities in the
Northwest had the fortune to repair by VIC
tory the losses sustained by others through
incapacity and want Of vigor. But the sue
cess has cost the country many valuable
lives, and the shadow Of their loss dims the
brightness Of the laurels that crown the VIC
tors. Hale's dying shout, ''Charge them,
boysv' will ring in the ears of his hearers
for many a day, and may inspire them to
new deeds of daring in the distant
future. Other gallant officers have
fallen in the noble performance of their
duty. They died on the field sur
rounded by their equally brave men,
none Of whom finched when called on to
attack the enemy. The survivors held to
their prey with bulldog tenacity, amid the
storm of bullets that rained around them
and the bitter winds that lashed the sleet
and snow in their faces for five days and
nights Such instances of heroic endurance
always mark the conduct of our soldiers in
the field, and should win for them the high
est consideration of the government. Now
that the Nez Perces have been overcome
the attention Of the troops can be turned to
Sitting Bulls movements. If that proud
and rowing warrior could be forced to SUBJ
NIT the situation would at once assume an
aspect favorable to o long period Of peace,
and the only danger that it could be broken
would arise out of mismanagement Of In
dian affairs by government officials.
The Amtt-Conklimg Meeting.
The meeting last evening filled but did
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