Nez Perce War

In 1877, the Nez Perce War unfolded as more than 600 Nez Perce men, women, and children traveled from their homeland in Eastern Oregon toward hoped-for freedom in Canada with two thousand horses, carrying grief for lost homelands and loved ones while pursued by hundreds of soldiers. For more than two decades, the Nez Perce had endured pressure to sign away their homeland and live on a reservation, and in 1877 United States government representatives ordered the non-treaty Nez Perce onto the reservation. Conflict erupted and battle followed in White Bird Canyon, where the soldiers were quickly defeated, but General Howard arrived with reinforcements and the Nez Perce eluded them in rugged terrain. As the war continued, Chiefs Toohoolhoolzote, Five Wounds, Rainbow, and others planned tactics, while Chief Heinmot Tooyalakeket, known as Chief Joseph, led the elderly men, women, and children. The Nez Perce gained many miles on General Howard, but on August 9, Colonel Gibbon's soldiers attacked their sleeping camp, killing men, women, and children, and warriors sprang up to defend their people. Repeatedly outmaneuvering and battling their pursuers, supporting both young and old, and enduring unthinkable losses, they traveled 1,170 miles before supplies ran short; in the bitter cold of late September, just 40 miles from Canada, they were overtaken and surrendered.

Wyoming · United States