THE CHEROKEE ADVOCATE
Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory
JULY 4, 1877

(Editorial of the New York Sun)

THE NEW INDIAN WAR

	We enter up on the summer with the usual Indian war.  At just about this date 
last year the massacre of Custer and his men took place on the Little Big Horn and from 
that time forward there was a lively chasing of the Redskins and the Government was 
put at great expense to keep its troops in the field.  As the next result of their 
work they got some Indians on reservations and Sitting Bull at his leisure led his 
band into Canada, where, strangely enough, he seems to be an entirely inoffensive 
person, though he is such a terror when he gets on this side of the line.
	The present Indian troubles, like all our Indian wars, grow out of the 
issatisfaction of the Nez Perce tribe, regarding their reservation.  The ill feeling 
has been of long-standing and now the Nez Perce thinking there is no other way of 
getting their rights have started on the war path and all are falling on the white 
settlers where ever they can find them.  What makes the uprising the worse is that 
these Indians have been wronged and have grievances which anger even white men.  
Young Joseph, the Nez Perce chief, claims that the whites have entered into his 
lands and refuses to go upon the reservation at the command of the army.  By a 
treaty with the Government in 1855 and one made in 1863 the Nez Perce Indians, 
practically by force, gave up a large part of their reservation.  The tribe was a 
Confederacy of numerous bands and no one felt itself bound by the acts of the others.  
Young Joseph and other chiefs, with their fall worse, were not parties to the treaty 
of 1863, they have refused to accept its benefits and have haughty repudiated it.  
Another treaty was made in 1863, which granted certain privileges on the reduced 
reservation to those of the tribe who lived outside its bounds.  Young Joseph 
refused to avail himself of them, declaring that he had taken no part in contracting 
the treaty and that he utterly disavowed it.  He says he wishes only what is his 
and that he will take no less.  Moreover, even the treaty Indians were at liberty 
to renounce the treaties of 1855 and 1863, for the Government grossly violated its 
obligation.  It is plain to see that the non-treaty Nez Perce are not bound by 
treaty of 1863 and in so far as it attempts to deprive them of a right to the 
occupancy of any land, its provisions are null and void.  Yet the Government would 
force Young Joseph to obey its stipulations and the consequence is the present 
Indian war, in which, as usual, we are on the wrong side.
	The Nez Perce are not a little order of Indians.  They are noted for their 
superior intelligence, their power, their wealth in cattle and horses and their fine 
physical development.  They have long been faithful friends of the whites and it is 
reported of them by Major Wood of the army that no Nez Perce of the full blood ever 
killed a white men.  These are the Indians we have now driven and to war by perfidy 
and wrong.

THE NEW INDIAN OUTBREAK

	Washington, June 20--Indian Commissioner Smith today received a dispatch 
from the Nez Perce Agency, dated June 17, which says: "The non-treaty Indians 
commenced hostilities on the 14th inst.  Up to the date twenty-nine settlers are 
reported murdered in for Indians killed.  General Howard is here to command.  The 
hostile czar about 100 strong and are reported to have gone to Salmon River country 
and are making the Veiser, in Southern Idaho.  Troops are in pursuit and are about 
12 hours behind.  The reservation Indians are true to the Government.  A company is 
formed under the head chief and are protecting Karmiah, one of the Indians 
settlements and the employees.  There is no news from the Indians north of here."
	A dispatch from General McDowell, at San Francisco, received at the war 
Department today says: "The steamer California reached Fort Townsend this morning 
with all the troops from Alaska.  I have ordered them to go to Lewiston Friday 
morning.  General Sully will go to Lewiston by that boat."
	War Department has also received through General McDowell, the following 
from General Howard, at Lapwai, to his staff officers at Department headquarters;
	"There is rather gloomy news from the front by stragglers.  Captain Perry 
overtook the enemy about 200 strong in a deep ravine, well posted and was fighting 
there when the last messenger left.  I am expecting a message from him every minute.  
The Indians are very active and are gradually increasing its strength, drawing recruits
from other tribes.  The movement indicates a combination, uniting nearly all the 
disaffected Indians.  They probably number 1000 or 1500 when united.  The two c
ompanies of infantry and 25 Calvary men reached the Lewiston this morning.  Order 
to Lewiston every available man in the department, except the forces at Fort Harney 
and Boise.  Start all the troops at Harney for Boise, except a small guard.  They may 
receive orders on route turning them in this is, (Lapwai) direction.  Lewiston will be 
the field depot for the present.  The quartermaster, commissary, ordinance and medical 
staff will act accordingly and I wish these movements perfected in the shortest 
possible time.  Please inform General McDowell and ask him to send a staff officer 
to me.  His California troops, should, in my judgment, be made to move, but just 
when will depend on my success against Joseph's band, 75 mi. eastward from here.  
I shall proceed against the Indians collecting or threatening on Hangsman Creek, 
near the Spokane.  About 30 citizens have been murdered thus far.  I shall not 
feed the intimate with criblets, but I had to start the two companies to stop the 
murder of men and women and keep the attention of Joseph's band while I concentrated 
my troops."
	Captain Major Wood of General Howard staff telegraphs to General McDowell 
that Miller's company from Ft. Stevens and Miles Company from Ft. Vancouver are now 
at Cellilo en route to Lewiston.  General McDowell says: "I have ordered a Rodney 
from Ft. Canby.  We go from here Friday morning.  Burton, at Fort Townsend, is under 
orders to come around by the steamer California.  I have ordered all the cavalry to 
the Department of California to proceed, subject to General Howard's orders.  Sumner 
goes by rail to Reading; Major Janford, with a company from Camp Halleck, to Winnemucca.  
Company I of the Twelfth Infantry goes hands to McDermott to relieve Company C. of the 
first cavalry."	 
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