Chief Joseph

Becoming Chief
When Joseph became chief, it was because his father, Tu-eka-kas had died. Tu-eka-kas died in 1817. That’s when Joseph’s tribe made him chief. They also made Joseph’s brother, Ollokot chief. There were three other chiefs with them. When Joseph’s father told him to never sell his land Joseph said he wouldn’t. But, the Bluecoats later forced him to. Since he was now chief he had to get his tribe to move in 30 days or the Bluecoats would make them move. As they were moving to Idaho, they were attacked and Joseph was forced to fight in his first battle. Joseph won the battle against the Bluecoats. Chief Joseph was a true hero. He led fewer than three hundred warriors against two thousand soldiers. He had also taken his people almost two thousand miles and lost only one battle, thirty miles from freedom.

Moving To Idaho
Joseph was forced to move to Idaho, by General Howard. He told Joseph they had thirty days to move to the reservation in Idaho or he would force them to. The reason Howard was making them move was because all but four tribes had already given up their land and moved to reservations. Joseph refused to go because when his father was alive Joseph told him he would never sell their land. Before the Nez Percé could move, they had to gather up all of their cattle and horses so they could take them to the reservation. On the journey to Idaho, they had to cross a river Joseph was worried about. No one was lost to the river, but cattle drowned and some of their horses ran away. Since the Bluecoats had attacked them a few times, they had a spy in back to watch for them. Joseph’s tribe had won two battles against the Bluecoats. One battle was not against the same Bluecoats though. They had sent a message to the Bluecoats of Montana and while the Nez Percé were sleeping the Bluecoats attacked. The only battle Joseph ever lost was to General Howard who was the man that made Joseph move to Idaho.

Childhood
As a child, Joseph looked up to his father and wished that someday he would be a great chief just like him. Joseph’s father, Tu-eka-kas, led the smallest but richest band of Nez Percé Indians. Joseph helped his father raise cattle. He also helped raise horses. They owned Spotted Appaloosa Ponies. Spotted Appaloosa’s are the finest and fasted anywhere. They hunted for deer and elk. He also went with his father to hunt grizzly bear and mountain goat. He fished in the river by their campsite for salmon. His tribe would eat them fresh and save them for later. But the first feast of salmon was always the best. Joseph ended up being a great chief just like his father did, and had children of his own.

Wars
Joseph fought four wars, and three of them were on his way to Idaho. The reason for his first war was because he didn’t want to leave his land so on his way to Idaho the Bluecoats attacked them. After they crossed a river when Joseph went to look for the horses that ran away, three braves, that had seen their dad get killed by a settler, attacked the Bluecoats. They killed 18 Bluecoats, then returned to camp and convinced the others to sound the war drums, and get ready for battle. When Joseph got back he knew they had to stay and fight because the Bluecoats were coming soon. They won that battle and the next, but the third battle they had to surrender. When Joseph was looking at the people who had died, he saw his wife and kids; he also saw his brother and family. Joseph rode to the Bluecoats camp and gave General Howard his rifle. Then he turned his head toward the sky and said, “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.” Joseph won three of his four battles and the one he lost was on his way to Idaho.

Hunting
As a child and adult, Joseph would hunt and fish. He would fish in the river by his campsite for salmon. He would use a spear to fish for them. They would dry them and eat them fresh. They would hunt for deer using bows. And use the skin to make leather for moccasins and leggings. They would do the same thing with the elk they shot. The reason they used deer and elk skin is because it is so soft. They hunted mountain goats, and grizzly bears with spears. Joseph’s dad Tu-eka-kas taught Joseph how to fish and hunt. And after he was dead Joseph continued to do it.