The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-10-25
CHIEF JOSEPH.
Some Further Incidents Connected sctth the
Surrender of the Me- PerceS CHEZ.
lCor. Chicago Timesl

| Some Further Incidents Connected ,citt the
Surrender of the Nee Perccs CHIEF.
[Cor. Chicago Times.l
Until the fifth day of the fight the
main body of the Indians had shown no
signs of surrender. Joseph appeared
before his rifie-pits ON the afternoon OF
the previous day and offered to srrren-
der, STIMULATING that his warriors should
retain their guns. This was not granted,
and when he appeared ON the afternoon of
the fifth day he communicated through
an interpreter that he desired to make
an unconditional surrender. Even then
it was not assured that his followers
would consent to accept the same cond1-
tions. In this instance Joseph advanced
boldly toward the earthworks occupied
by the troops, carrying Winchester
rifle, and stepping In front of Gen. Miles
he extended his piece to him, the muzzle
of the piece pointing to his own breast.
The chief of tine Nez Perces is savage
of splendid bearing in his dress and man.
ner. There is little which resembles
that of the ordinary savage of the plains.
On the battlefield he wore pair OF
moccasins and pair of buckskin pants,
over which were drawn pair of wooden
stockings, which fitted closely to his legs
and extended to his knees, showing his
great muscularity. A blue wooden shirt
covered the upper portion of his body,
and over his right shoulder white blan-
ket was carelessly thrown. His face was
free from paint, and the only sign of
savagery was seen in the few green feath-
ers in his hair at the back of his head.
In addressing Gen. Miles he merely said
that his people desired to surrender.
He was followed by three or four war
riors, who advanced and offered their
guns to Gen. Miles in person. The In
dams were slow to leave their works at
first, and Joseph returned to the ravine
and appeared to argue with them. Pres
emily between thirty and forty warriors
appeared and advanced over the piece
of flat ground which lay between the two
forces, and before nightfall all had sur
rendered save the wounded who still re-
manned in their works.
Nearly every Indian was found 10 be
armed with Winchester rifle, and fou1
were found having in their possession
long-range Creedmoor guns. There was
| little about the dress of any members OF
the tribes which would class them with
any of the prairie Indians. They wore
neither paint nor feathers, and there was
q lack of brass-work about their hai1
and necks. Some of the Indians were
horribly wounded, showing that the
shells thrown into their works had done
terrible work in some instances. Gen.
Miles had Htters prepared and lowered
into the pits, upon which the wounded
Indians were conveyed to the field hos
pital, where the surgeons extracted the
bullets and cared for them in the best
manner possible. No trace was found
of the Indians killed i'll the fight, but
Joseph acknowledged the death OF
twenty -seven, and it is probable that the
number is in excess of this
Gen. Miles has exhibited the greatest
humanity toward the surrendered tribe,
and is taking great care of their sick
and wounded. He recognizes their valol
and admires their mode of fighting. A
great plea can be made for these In
dams. The fiendish practices of the
Sioux do not extend to them. It is not
known that they have scalped or mutt
lated the bodies of those whom they
have killed in battle, and numerous in.
cidents are related where they had saved
the lives of number of people during
their march through Idaho and Mon.
tana. This was wonderfully exemplified
by their treatment of the wounded or
| the field of battle.
When L think of the tremendous
march that has been made by Howard's
troops since he started after Joseph, and
the privations which have been endured
by them, cannot but think that he will
| never get credit for the effort he has
made. His command has marched /, 75C
miles since it took the field, and it is
doubtful whether any troops making 8
stern chase would have done much
better.
| 3MERTCgN TEITHEJ, IN n EEay.Np