Chance Encounter

On the night of August 23, 1877, nine tourists in the Cowan party camped across the meadow near hundreds of Nez Perce men, women, and children who were being violently pursued by the United States Army. Their fire was spotted in the darkness by Hemene Moxmox (Yellow Wolf) and other Nez Perce scouts, who entered the camp at daybreak because they dared not risk the Army learning their people's whereabouts, and they took the tourists with them. In the hours that followed, fear, anger, and compassion all surfaced. A Nez Perce leader, Wa-wook-ke-ya Was Sauw (Lean Elk), released the campers with a warning to stay hidden, but the group was later overtaken. Tempers then flared, George Cowan was shot and left for dead but eventually recovered fully, others were shot or escaped, and Emma Cowan and her siblings were released unharmed the following day. The larger setting was the Nez Perce War of 1877, in which more than 600 Nez Perce men, women, and children, traveling with two thousand horses, were midway from their homeland in Eastern Oregon toward hoped-for freedom in Canada while carrying grief for their homeland and loved ones lost. For more than two decades, the Nez Perce had faced pressure to surrender their homeland and move to a reservation, and in 1877 United States government representatives ordered non-treaty bands onto the reservation. Conflict followed, including the Battle of White Bird Canyon, where soldiers were quickly defeated, and General Howard's reinforced forces were repeatedly evaded in rugged country. As the war continued, Chief Toohoolhoolzote, Five Wounds, Rainbow, and others helped shape tactics, while Chief Heinmot Tooyalakeket (Chief Joseph) led the elderly men, women, and children. On August 9, Colonel Gibbon's soldiers attacked a sleeping Nez Perce camp, killing men, women, and children, and warriors rushed to defend their people. Chief Joseph's wife was severely wounded at Big Hole, and he protected their newborn during combat. Despite repeated maneuvering and resistance, and despite sustaining the young and the old through unthinkable losses, the Nez Perce traveled 1,170 miles under relentless pursuit before supplies ran short, and in late September, just 40 miles from Canada, they were overtaken and surrendered.

Wyoming · United States