The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-10-16
THE INDIAN WAR ENDED.
The Surrender of Poor Joe.
"Details or the Last RattIe-.The
Sayages with Great
Bravery. and Humanity 10
the wounded.


HELENA, October 9-The capitulation
of Joseph and his band of Eez Perces
occurred at two o'clock on the afternoon
Of the 5'h, The savages gave up their
guns and AMMUNITION, passing in SOL
emn review before General Miles, and
accepting an unconditional surrender
The troops al once occupied the Indians'
intrenchments, and the first victory over
the Redskins during the past few days
was slgnalized.
In charge upon the Indian camp OIL
the 6rst day slxty-four officers and men
were killed and wounded. After the
camp had been surrounded and the SOL
diers had secured defensive positions
only four casualties occurred. The sol.
diers closed in uponathe sasages slowly
but surely after the frst day, all the
time extending their line of rifls-pits -
1t was the purpose of Miles to lose no
more men in the attack. How admira
bly, the plan succeeded is already known
On the last day Of the fight the troops
had succeeded in securing position
which commanded the stream which
flowed in front of the ride-pits occupied
by the enemy, and had the battle lasted
another day their supply Of water would
have been exhausted, and surrender have
become imperative Onthe fourth day
Of the fight Joseph raised a white flag
for the third time, and, through an in
terpreter, who advanced toward his
camp, offered to surrender provided they
we're allowed to keep their guns. Miles
sent word back that he must surrender
without any reserve, and the battle was
taken up again. lsal u zsi
The white flag was displayed again
on the fifth and last day Of the engage
ment, when Joseph appeared in front of
his lines and advapced to meet General
Miles, to whom he rendered his gun
He was followed bv sixty warriors, who
| also turned over their arms and shook
hands with Miles as they passed. When
the troops entered the rife-pits forty
warriors were discovered disabled by
wounds. They were removed to the
camp hospital, and received all the at
tention which was given to the troops
The number of Indians killed is not
known, as they had already buried their
dead 1t is supposed that they lost an
equal number with the soldiers Gen
eral Miles left at noon yesterday for
Tongue River, taking with bin his dead
and wounded and the surrendered band
General Sturgis did not arrive in time
to take hand in the fight, and the glory
of the magnificent attack rests with
Miles. es
General Howard, with an escort of
seventeen men, arrived on the field on
the morning of the surrender. His
presence there was not understood, and
he made no attempt to assume com
mand He left his small force OF in.
fantry at the Missouri River, and with
this small escort Of cavalry proceeded
to the scene of the battle.
The intrenchments occupied by the
Indians we're admirably constructed for
defense. They occupied in all over one
hundred and sixty rifle pits, which com
municated with each other, so that as.
sistance could be rendered If necessary
The squaws fought by the warriors, took
care of the wounded and buried the
dead. ~ E 1- I rs
When the history Of the unparalleled
march of the Nez Perces is written, they
win be accredited with great gallantrY
in the field, and wonderful humanity
Their defense could not have been ex-
celled by any body OF men, nor their
generosity. Seven wounded men lying
under the intrenchments during the en-
tire battle live to corroborate this. They
took away the guns and ammunition
from the disabled troops, but did not
offer to modest them. -