Army Captures Chief Joseph on Montana Battlefield
By Seth Thomas
-4:32 pm October 9, 1879
On October 5, Chief Joseph surrendered in a speech to General Howard at the battle field of Bears Paw. Chief Joseph has been ruthlessly attacking settlements in response to the gracious gift of large land reservations. In a speech given shortly after his surrender, he cited the recent defeats that his tribe suffered in their war against freedom, equality, and prosperity on the frontier of American settlement. Chief Joseph and his renegade tribe of Nez Perce Indians will be transported to Fort Leavenworth as prisoners. The vacant land in Idaho will not be offered.
Chief Joseph and his tribe of rebellious savages had only one intent: to kill the innocent and virtuous. His band commonly raided settlements in the city of Uniatille in Oregon. Outraged citizens living in those areas have demanded military action in order to
stop the sinister behavior of Joseph but, until three months ago they were being ignored.
Chief Joseph and family, circa 1880. (Click on ima...
Chief Joseph (1840–1904), the chief of the Wal-l...
An 1889 photograph of Chief Joseph speaking to eth...The US government patiently waited for Joseph to respond to fair treaty until several settlers were found dead. In an interview Ebenezer Clark, a farmer and father of two kids, stated: "I am so glad that they [Chief Josephs tribe] have been taken care of. I know that I feel so much safer now than I did three months ago."
General Howard and several battalions of militia were ordered to pursue and eventually capture or eliminate Chief Joseph and his rebel band. When confronted, knowing their inevitable defeat the tribe attempted to flee from their crimes into Canada like cowards running from their mistakes. Howard and his men bravely took up flight on the trail of Joseph, knowing full well that they were in grave danger from the treachery that the...