"Joseph" was most noted for having led his people from the Wallowa Mountains of North Eastern Oregon, to join other chieftains of the Nez Perce in Northern Idaho. From here, they fled from General Howard in a zig-zag, elusive trail across Southwestern Montana, and re-entered Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, through present day Yellowstone Park. Thence, cold and worn, they were finally brought to bay at the base of the Bear Paw Mountains in North Central Montana, just short of their Canadian goal.

Although the Nez Perce warriors were burdened by women, old men and children, they still managed to fight the U.S. Army on even or better terms, throughout. Their combat maneuvers were so admired and respected by the Army, that they are studied at the West Point Academy to the present day.

"Joseph" survived combat, and with the assistance of some of his onetime adversaries, such as General Miles, and Howard, succeeded in getting his people moved from the hot Indian Territory in Oklahoma, (where they were dying like flies), back to the Colville Indian Reservation in North Eastern Washington. Here "Joseph" spent his latter life.