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ofionit-ereelr:here-redthyeit,ueiuic UCEll bi WB1 agnuiai.If the Nez Perces had been experienced In this sort of fighting, there Is no telling what might have been the outcome of Chief Joseph’s famous march through Montana in 1877. The reputation of Sitting Bull and his Sioux would have been forfeited. But. the Nez Perces were by nature peaceable and their one clash with whites arose from a cause that Justified their actions in the eyes of those who believed that the United St3tes should play fair with such of the T~iians as were themselves honorable.Jen who served during the Civil war ud in the Indian wars in the middle west and south have given testimony that the battle of the Big Hole was the most bitterly contested field upon which they ever fought. These veterans state that they never witnessed such determined fighting maintained for so long a period of time and at such short range by any Indians as was carried on by these unseasoned warriors under Joseph.It was a brave body of whites who faced Chief Joseph that hot day on the bluffs that overlook the Basin where the waters of mountain streams mingle to form the main fork of Big Hole river They were worthy foes and worthily did this Indian leader 3nd hi6 followers meet them.Among the men hemmed in by Joseph, in the earthworks on the brow of that fatal hill, was one grizzled old surgeon who had fought with that same regiment in the defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg. In his story of the fight told in an interview a short time after the battle of the Big Hole, the surgeon said that there was no hotter place on the Round Top than he found that August day ten years or more later.When his fight at the Big Hole was ended. Chief Joseph took up his march down the valley, cumbered with women and children and his wounded warriors heading in the direction of the British possessions where he hoped to find home for his people and where they might receive the Just treatment that he lett had been denied them in this country.Joseph’s Famous MarchThe history of the march of Joseph and his Nez Perces is even more remarkable than the story of the battle of the Big Hole. The first reports reaching Montana regarding Joseph's campaignervatlon; a chronic malcontent. Joseph, on the other hand, became a model Indian after his brief struggle against the cevitable had been decided.Chariot a Malcontent When Chariot had his famous conference with Senator Vest, Major Martin Maginnls and others regarding his proposed departure from the Bitter Root val-ey. he referred to this Incident. Hesaid that his father. Victor, had welcomed Lewis and Clark and helped them on their Journey; thut during the intervening years no white man had been tilled by the Flathead Indians in any-hLng that looked like hostility; that recently when his kinsman Joseph of the Nez Perces had come over the mountains and asked him to Join with him in his war upon the whites, he told him thathe would not do so. He said that hetold Joseph he would not Join the whites, and that so far as the Saleeshes were concerned, Joseph might march through the valley if he would do so peaceably; but that if he took anything belonging to the white men, or even killed a calf, then he (Chariot) would Join forces with the white men.Was Greatest of Indian Leaders Joseph's resentment against the whites was of the same nature as that of Chariot. but it found vent in a different manner. Instead of remaining sullenly in the Wallowa valley, Joseph determined to leave the country entirely. None familiar with the circumstances and events believes that Joseph at any time Intended to wage war against the whites. Had he been on the warpath, it would have been a very simple matter for him to slay the soldiers and volunteers who opposed him in Lolo pass. Much rather, however, he left the members of this force sleeping and marched quietly around them.Whatever may be the general opinion held as to the Justice of the course pursued by Chief Joseph and as to the righteousness of the cause he tried to uphold, there can be but one opinion regarding the man himself—he was the greatest Indian leader of all times. -Board Members Re-appointedGovernor Erickson has reappointed one member of each of seven local institutional executive boards and named Julian A. Knight of Twin Bridges as a mem-
Newspaper Details
Bozeman Courier
Bozeman, Montana, US
Fri, May 13, 1927
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Geri L.
NA, 17 Jul 2024
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