June 17, 1877

On June 17, 1877, Lieutenant Theller halted and deployed his advance guard on a more distant ridge and sent word that the Indians were in sight. Captain David Perry immediately formed his company left front into line at a trot and ordered the men to drop carbine and draw pistol, intending to charge, but when he turned to his trumpeter to give the order he discovered that the man had lost his trumpet. Weyáwaci.ćkan, also known as John Miles, recalled that unlike the trained white soldier guided by the bugle call, the Indian went into battle on his own mind’s guidance. In a charge against the soldiers’ right flank, waláytic, sarpsis ilppilp, and tipyahlahnah kapskaps were to begin the attack, all three wearing full-length red blanket coats of the same make and pattern to show contempt for the soldiers, make fun of them, and draw their rifle shots without fear, while other warriors followed riding singly and many hanging on the side of their horses, shielded from the soldiers’ sight.

Idaho · United States