Chief Joseph of the Real People (the Nez Perce)
I have read of
The mindful retreat of
Younger Chief Joseph
Of the Nez Perce
Before Howard, Sturgis
And Miles, the one with
The crazed, vain bravado
Of a Custer.
Many the engagement
Where stealth and patience
And courage of young
Braves' hearts
Bloodied and ripped blue coats.
Seized the scatter guns of terror.
Left horsemeat a-plenty
For the scavengers.
And men wasted
At the caprice of
Others up the chain.
Finally a tight, flat lower place
Beside the mountains.
Becoming a strategy
For withstanding in camp.
But also a box unkind
In winter for siege.
Hunger, numbness,
Silent frozen departures.
Miles waited
Wanting the glory
Before Howard rejoined.
Getting that Glory
With Howard present and
Conceding.
Horseback, Chief Joseph
Approaches, head bowed
Gray blanket over shoulder
Steps down.
Then gray cowl-like over head.
Spit rifle extended straight arms
But no longer as weapon
Rather as peace-offered trophy.
Miles makes promises.
One-armed Howard revels in relief,
Hard earned. *
Joseph's people yielding
To the necessity.
The truth of the Great Spirit.
Too many of the wrong types
Already sacrificed.
Their moans carried on the winds.
(But no white scalps ever,
EVER taken by the Nez Perce.
Fair skinned, heartless reprobates
Like wild dogs, in the
Wake of the march
Not able to say the same.)
"Ah when would the terms of the promise be kept!
When would the word of Miles set them
Among promised mountains, far blueness, far whiteness?
How could they know that Miles, whom they trusted,
Was only a brigadier behind whom
Moved forces faceless, timeless, dim,
And in such dimness merciless."
(Quote take from the narrative poem account
Of Robertt Penn Warren C. 1982, page 47.)
*As it had been a severer tax upon the energies of officers and men
than any period in the late Civil War, surely some method must be found
to encourage and properly reward such gallantry and service hardly ever
before excelled. General O. O. Howard Warren's poem at page 27.
in Washington State
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