Nez Perce Joseph. An Account Of His Ancestors, His Lands, His Confederates, His Enemies, His Murders, His War, His Pursuit And Capture

O. O. HOWARD

Publication: Lee and Shepard Publishers, 1881, Boston

First edition. 8vo. Bluish-Green Cloth, titles stamped in gold gilt on the spine, xii [2], 274 pp., Frontispiece [portraits of Chief Joseph and Brig. General Howard], signatures of Chief Joseph and Gen. Howard in facsimile, Preface, Two Maps, [one folding map at end of text]. Both Chief Joseph and General Howard were noteworthy men. Howard was a distinguished commander during the Civil War, and led troops at First Bull Run, Fair Oaks, where he received a wound that led to the amputation of his right arm. Eventually he arrived in Washington, D.C. where he worked to make his own church racially integrated, and helped to found an all-black college, named Howard University in his honor. Chief Joseph was more a spiritual leader than military leader, but it was his military campaign that brought him lasting fame. The Nez Perce War was fought in a masterful way by the Indians as they retreated from the advancing U.S. Army. The outcome was never in doubt as the Nez Perce were outnumbered ten to one, and after three months the Nez Perce surrendered and were shipped to Oklahoma. In 1885 they were allowed to return to Idaho, but Chief Joseph was separated from his people and kept in Washington state where he died in 1904. He never gave up speaking of the injustices done to his people. His famous speech of surrender his still often quoted and ends with the sentence, "From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever." An exceptionally fine, bright copy. Protected in a custom clamshell box, with title, author, and year of publication in gilt on leather labels on spine.