Misc.-Chief Joseph TB

Please drop this item in rural or Premium Member Only caches.  Do not drop it in an urban cache or leave it behind at a caching event.  Transport the bug in the original plastic bag for as long as the bag lasts; this prevents the chain and tag tangling with other items.  Otherwise, take this travel bug anywhere you wish.  No permission needed to leave the U.S.

This is a bookmark converted to a travel bug. It was purchased at the Mid-America All Indian Center in Wichita, KS. Chief Joseph was the leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce. After a history of ceding portions of their native lands to settlers, the Nez Perce was ordered to leave for a reservation in Idaho. The Wallowa band began making preparations for the long journey, meeting first with other bands of the tribe. At this council, many leaders urged war, while Joseph argued in favor of peace. While the council was underway, a young man whose father had been killed rode up and announced that he and several other young men had already killed four white men, an act sure to initiate war.

Still hoping to avoid further bloodshed, Joseph and other chiefs led 800 Nez Perce toward their friends the Crows, but when the Crows betrayed them and joined the United States army for money, the Nez Perce went towards freedom at the Canadian border. For over three months, the Nez Perce outmaneuvered and battled their pursuers traveling 1,600 miles across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. General Howard, leading the opposing cavalry, was impressed with the skill with which the Nez Perce fought, using advance and rear guards, skirmish lines, and field fortifications. Finally, after a devastating five-day battle during freezing weather with no food or blankets, Chief Joseph formally surrendered October 5, 1877 in the Bear Paw Mountains of the Montana Territory, less than 40 miles south of Canada.

Although Joseph was not technically a warchief and probably did not command the retreat, many of the chiefs who did had already died. Thus he became the focus of the legend, for both good and bad. Presumably for their resistance, in the years following, Joseph and the Nez Perce were much abused by the US government. However, history has been kind to Joseph and his name has been attached to all manner of landmarks and structures in the Pacific Northwest. He lived until 1903, affording him the opportunity to be among the most photographed of 19th century native Americans.