The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-09-26

Lapwai, sent Capt. Perry with two COM
panies Of cavalry; in all ninety men, to
the scene of the murders, which was
sixty miles away. When at Mount
Idaho, Capt. Parry found that the Nez
Perces had moved to White Bird canyon,
which was about ten miles below. Join
ed by ten civilians, the command moved
in pursuit and came upon Joseph's camp
of $50 warriors, on the morning of the
18th of June.
Perry dashed at once into the fight and
was met by such hot fire by the Nez
Perces (who had concealed themselves
in a marrow place in the canyon) that the
men could not face it and had to fall
back. Tie Indians pressed the soldiers
so hard that all order was lost anda rush
made to the head of the canyon, where
Perry succeeded in stopping the men and
holding the enemy in check.
This, the first battle of the campaign
gave the Nez Perces much confidence in
themselves for they had killed one officer,
Lieut.. Theller and thirty rank and file. To
the soldiers it gave this lesson; that the
Nez Perces were as well armed, that they
were better horsemen, and were as brave
as themselves.
By the 26th of June troops enough
had come to How ard, for that general to
take the field with 800 men and a battery
ofgatling guns and on that day he left
Fort Lapwai for the scene of operations.
Looking Glass with about 200 warriors
was camped on the Clearwater. He had
expressed his deter nination to remain
friendly and his men had taken no hand
in the hostilities. Howard sent Capt.
Whipple with all of the cavalry and
artillery to capture HIM. Looking Glass
refused to he entirely disarmed and
Whipple without much talk, attacked
the camp when the Nez Perces were un-
preuared and not expecting anything Of
the kind, and several of them were kill
ed, all of their lodges destroyed and 700
head of their horses captured.
This was the greatest mistake Of the
campaign, for the result was. that every
one fthese heretofore friendly Indians
joined Chief Joseph and were the most
determined of his men afterward.
From Clearwater Whipple marched
towards Cottonwood to intercept Joseph.
On the morning of the 4th of July he sent
Lieut.. Kains, ten soldiers and a civilian
scout ahead to reconnoiter. Soon after
they left heavy firing was heard and the
command pushed on to find within two
miles, this detachment all dead.
Chief Joseph after wandering around
and picking up several small parties,
went to Clearwater and made camp
near to where Looking Glass had been
when attacked by Whipple. Here, on
the l1th of July, Howard with about 400
men, found and attacked him. Joseph
with his $50 warriors fought with great
judgment and spirit for two days, but
having their families with them were at
a great disadvantage, and on the evening
of the 18th fled, leaving many Of their
lodges and effects behind. Twenty-three
of their number Eere killed and about
as many more wounded, and about forty
of their women and children were cap
tured by the soldiers. Howard's loss was
thirteen killed and twenty-three
wounded.
The next morning the cavalry gave
chase and overlook the Indians, but the
latter stood them off and. crossing the
Salmon river, commenced that march
which, for distance Travelled, (nearly all
of which was through hostile country
and for generalship and bravery shown.
has no equal in American history.
Their course ran up the Lolo valley
and treaty was made with the citizen
settlers there by Joseph; to the effect,
that he should be allowed to go through
unmolested and he would molest none.
This was observed by both parties and
the Indians went over by the Lolo Pass
and along the Montana side of the Bitter
Root mountains.
Gen. Gibbon heard of the coming of
the Nez Perces, and sending to Fl. Ellis
for the few soldiers of the I'd Cavalry,
remaining there, he mounted all of his
own regiment that were with him and
with these and about thirty civilian vol
unteers altogether about 40 men went
after Joseph. On the morning Of the
4th of August he, near Missoula, found
the trail and on the morning Of the 9th
overlook the Nez Perces, who were
camped in the valley of the Big Hole.
Gibbon ordered charge and the COM
mand dashed in and through the camp,
but were driven as quickly back. His
only piece of artillery was captured and
his forces were corraled till IL p. M, OF
the 10th, when the Indians left. Three
officers, twenty-six soldiers and citizens
were killed and thirty wounded in Glib
bon's command and several of his horses
were captured. Twenty Nez Perces
were killed, five of whom were women
and children.
The Indians now crossed the mountain
spur between Big Hole and Horse Prairie
and at the latter place killed eight of the
settlers and captured $50 fine horses
They worked on slowly; just fas
enough to keep ahead Of the troops
whose movements were continual,
watched by Nez Perce scouts. When a
Camas Prairie, the Indians turned int
the mountains and went towards Henry
Lake.
On the 18th of August Howard cam'
to Camas Prairie and camped. At abou
two o'clock the next morning the CAM
was attacked by the Nez Perees ant
about 200 head of mules and horse
taken. In camp all was confusion, but a
daylight the cavalry went after and over
took the Indians and captured back abou
seventy head of the stock. Then tn
Nez Perces turned and pressed the troop
60 hard that the recaptured animals ha'
to be given up and the Indians went o.
with their prizes. In this morning
fight one man was killed and 81:
, wounded.
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