Byline: 

The treatment of Chief Joseph, known to his followers as Thunder Rolling Down, was disgraceful both personally and to his tribe, the Nez Perce. The chief of a peaceful tribe, many of whose members had converted to Christianity, reflected the impotence of Native Americans irrespective of their willingness to adopt civilized life styles. In 1855, his tribe was given a reservation that stretched from Oregon to Idaho. However, in 1863, following a gold rush into their territory, the federal government took back close to 6 million acres, reducing their reservation to 10% of its previous size. Feeling betrayed, Joseph’s father destroyed his American flag, his Bible, and refused to move his band.

 Chief Joseph succeeded his father in 1871. In 1877, after being attacked by numerous federal troops, Chief Joseph reluctantly led his people toward Idaho. Unfortunately, they never got there. Twenty of his warriors attacked a group of whites and killed them, leading to retaliation by the army even into the “smaller reservation.” Chief Joseph then in a brilliant military move retreated some 1400 miles, eliciting courage and skill and obtaining the praise of military giants such as General Sherman. In 1877, when he finally surrendered, Chief Joseph was called the “Red Napoleon.” Much of the military brilliance was the work of his brother, Looking Glass. Ultimately, the federal troops surrounded his retreating band that was on the point of starvation. When he surrendered Chief Joseph made his famous speech: “I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. The old men are all dead. My people have no blankets, no food. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall I find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”

Chief Joseph spoke eloquently, hoping that his words would soften the hearts of the American public. He sought for his people the promises in the Declaration of Independence: “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” He died in 1904 of a broken heart.