Why might chief joseph mention "general howard" in the first sentence in his speech?

Chief Joseph might have mentioned "General Howard" in the first sentence in his speech, because he was his main enemy in the Nez Perce War, which faced Nez Perce people, led by Chief Joseph, against the United States, whose forces were commanded by General Oliver O. Howard.

The Nez Perce War was an episode of the American Indian Wars that faced several groups of the tribe of Nez Perce and the Army of the United States during the summer of 1877.

i go to the store and buy some cheese,suddenly there was akward silence.   out of no where comes a ninja, and he takes an apple, and chokes the cashier, until he passes out.   the disapeared in a puff of smoke.   the cashier went to the doctor, and everything was fine again.   they all lived happily ever after without anymore ninjas.

the end

go to buy cheese= exposition

akaward silence= rising action

ninja chokes the cashier= climax

cashier goes to the doctor= falling action

they live happily ever after= resolution

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.