Chief Joseph (1840-1904) became a legend due to his heroic efforts to keep his people in their homeland in Oregon's Wallowa Valley despite a treaty that ordered them onto a reservation in Idaho. In 1877, when the US army forced the Nez Percé away from their lands, Joseph led his tribespeople on a 1,500-mile, four-month flight from western Idaho across Montana, through Yellowstone National Park and Wyoming, toward safety in Canada.

During this journey, the Army attacked the Indians several times; in one battle alone, at the Big Hole in western Montana, ninety Indian men, women, and children were killed. The Nez Percés' flight ended at the Bear's Paw mountains in northern Montana, just forty miles from the safety of the Canadian border. There the Army surrounded the Nez Percé, captured their horses, killed all but two of their primary chiefs, and forced their capitulation.

When Chief Joseph surrendered to military leaders he told them, "From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever."

Promised by military commanders that they would be returned to Idaho, the Nez Percés were instead relocated to Indian Territory in Oklahoma where many died of fever and disease. Chief Joseph began a new fight-for better conditions for his people and the right to return to their home country. His diplomacy and eloquence won public support and ultimately resulted in the Nez Percé's return to Idaho and Washington.

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Praise for this book

“The story of Chief Joseph is reflective of the forebearance and determination of the Nez Percé people. Candy Moulton has crafted a moving account of a major player in an epic chapter of American Indian history.” —Jerome A. Greene, author of Nez Perce Summer, 1877 on Chief Joseph

“Our written history goes from the 700 page history by Alvin Josephy to other shorter works but none is more comprehensive than Chief Joseph: Guardian of the People for American Heroes. I appreciate Candy Moulton including details about our stay in and return from Oklahoma Territory.” —Charlie Moses, Jr. Chief Joseph Band, Nez Perce Colville Reservation, Nespelem, Washington Treasurer, Nez Perce National Historical Trail Foundation

“Moulton writes with exquisite passion about one of America's greatest freedom fighters. Impeccably researched, Chief Joseph: Guardian of the People, will stand for generations as a testament to one man's heroic struggle to find a sanctuary for his people.” —W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear, Authors of People of the Raven




About the Author

Candy Moulton is the author of twelve Western history books including Everyday Life Among American Indians from 1800 to 1900, Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Wild West from 1840 to 1900, Roadside History of Wyoming, and Roadside History of Nebraska. Moulton makes her home near Encampment, Wyoming, where she edits the Western Writers of America Roundup Magazine, writes regularly for several magazines including True West, Wild West, Persimmon Hill, and American Cowboy. She is a member of the Nez Percé Trail Foundation, Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail Foundation, Oregon-California Trails Association, and Western Writers of America.


Title: Chief Joseph : Guardian of the People
Author(s): Candy Moulton
Volume: 1
ISBN: 9781466845947
Copyright 2013
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: mobi,ePub | Learn More about our supported formats
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