The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-11

hus the same number of United States
heops. The young chief, Neg Perez
|reph, led the Indians.
Though the Nez Perces had never before
IA war with the white men, Boosting of
tvtr having shed white mans blood,
kky had frequently waged contests with
Sere eastern tribes. They were superb
|mwmen and had so trained these PONIES
Bat. like shepherd dogs. they would I'M
Estand and obey their owners These
hdian horsemen were probably the hest
counted skirmishers in the world at the
announcement of the Neg Perez war.
q The war began in a series of massacres.
Aich the Indians committed in the re-
Bon around Mount Diablo. The white
pmen and children. who were wounded
the outbreak, but not fatally, were
bthered into that stricken village. Joseph
the same time in the low ground of the
hitehird canyon, assembled all the
hdians who would join in the war.
h men were then variously esti-
Mfed from three to seven hun
nd. General Howard. providentially
Lapwai when the frightful news came.
PIT forward under Colonel Perry two
Fops Of cavalry. with instructions to
asck the hostiles and ston the murders.
Ifanwhile, with the intention sneedilv to
Wow. he himself was hastily bringing to-
ther At Lapwai from the various posts
e soldiers of his department. Perry had
af ninety men. He made forced march
hrnuVh Graneeville 70 the Whitebird
hrvon, attacked the Indians at once. hut
rffed mortifving defeat. He lost in
he reht and retreat over third of his
pen. killed outright; of those hit only the
aehtly wounded escaped death for at
als time the Indians were killing all their
dsoners.
A. soon rs the general had collected
1Mcient force, he marched AGAINST them.
Foye Josenh down the Whitehird creek
Do forced him TO cross to the west side Of
e. salmon river. Then with considerable
dhrulty he crossed his own command into
par same country between the Salmon and
g snake, which is as rough and rugged rs
Fifzerland. and Immediately set himself to
BLOW the Indians trail. They had hur-
go down the left hank of the Salmon.
yer the mountainous crags, toward the
Rcuth of that swift river, and without hes
alton recrossed the mad stream at Craig's
fry Our troops. unlike the Indians,
10 swim their pluckv ponies and drag
aar skin RATS after them. were obliged TO
eiay Tor two or three DAYS constructing
20 attempting to use large timber raft.
~ meanwhile the general had sent back
MS Lapwai route the regular cavalry.
MI OF which was to hold Norton's ranch
20 part to bring up supplies from Fort
ap@ai. Eleven cavalry men of this force
aoef Lieutenant Rains went out from
o'ton's TO reconnoitre. 1t was lust after
0seph and his Indians, having got over
'ag Terry. were turning back 70 pass
tween Norton's and Grangeville. and
Aing further north toward Kamiah.
y indians evidently surprised the lieu
aaht and his party, and without mercy
Nssacred them all. Again, seventeen
hunted volunteers about the same time
ont from Mount Idaho 10 SO to Nor
; when they were also cut off by
arm OF savage warriors and several of
en- were slain. General Howard about
= ume lost his new raft in the wild tor
a1' ana could not affect q crossing. Just
Yen, through an Indian messenger. James