On Oct. 5, 1877, a gallant trek ended with the bad guys winning.
The Nez Perce had inhabited the Wallowa Valley in Oregon (and more) for generations. They had remained peaceful despite white provocations that went unpunished by white authorities. For example, a friend of Joseph named Wilhautyah was murdered. The rancher, Alex Findley, was tried (a very rare outcome for white on Indian crime) and acquitted (surprise!). Two Indian eye-witnesses refused to testify, for obvious reasons. A treaty in 1855 gave up half of their land. After gold was discovered in the area in 1863, they were forced to give up ¾ of the remainder. Chief Joseph, the father of the famous son, was one of the nontreaty Indians. Although forbidden by the treaty, white settlers poured into the Wallowa Valley. In 1871, Chief Joseph died and Young Joseph took over as chief. In 1875, Pres. Grant bowed to white pressure and reality. The Nez Perce were ordered to a reservation. After several meetings with Howard, Joseph and the other chiefs agreed that it would be suicidal to defy the Army. 600 Indians headed for the reservation. Two days from their destination, three Indians went seeking revenge for the death of Wahlitits’ father. They killed several whites and this set off a series of raids by other young men. The match had been struck. Howard sent Capt. David Perry with 130 soldiers plus eleven volunteers (and 13 Nez Perce scouts!) to arrest the perpetrators. At White Bird Canyon, negotiations were underway when someone on the white side opened fire. The Indians responded with alacrity and routed the whites, although outnumbered and armed only with bows and a few muzzle-loaders. They acquired many rifles from the battle. Looking Glass joined after his village was attacked for no good reason. He was appointed war chief. At the Clearwater River camp, Howard caught up with them. Although he had a howitzer and two Gatling guns, his assault was blunted by the elderly warrior Toohoolhoolzote and two dozen warriors. Other warriors joined and Howard was surrounded. The Indians pinned down the troopers with sniping while Joseph organized the retreat of the camp. They crossed the Bitterroot Mountains, bypassed a blocking force, peacefully bought supplies in Stevensville, and then camped in the Big Hole Valley. Thinking themselves safe, they were surprised by Col. John Gibbon. His 200 men stormed into the sleeping camp, killing women, children, and the elderly. It was similar to the Sand Creek Massacre, except that the warriors, led by White Bird, were able to fight back. The marksmanship the Nez Perce was famous and it took a heavy toll on Gibbons’ men. Once again, Joseph organized the flight of the noncombatants. The warriors broke away when Howard arrived with reinforcements. Howard allowed his Bannock Indian scouts to disinter Indian bodies to be scalped and mutilated. Contrast the barbarism of Gibbons and Howard to that of the Nez Perce who did nothing to Perry’s bodies. Because of the surprise, Looking Glass was deposed and replaced by Lean Elk. They passed through Yellowstone National Park. The Crow Indians refused them refuge, so they moved on toward Canada. The warriors held off a cavalry charge by elements of the 7th Cavalry under Col. Sturgis in a canyon. They moved on to the Bear Paw Mountains where they camped thirty miles from the border. It was here that Gen. Miles attacked with 600 men and a large number of Cheyenne warriors. White Bird blunted the charge and the cavalry went to ground. A siege ensued. Toolhoolhoolzote and Ollikut (Joseph’s brother) were killed. When Howard arrived, the situation was hopeless. At a council with Looking Glass and White Bird, Joseph argued for fighting to the end. Soon after, Looking Glass was killed. Joseph realized the end was nigh and made his famous speech, which included “I will fight no more forever”. White Bird and a few warriors made it to Canada. Even before the oration, the newspapers had chosen Joseph (because you can’t complicate things with more than one leader) to lionize. He was referred to as the “Napoleon of the West” because of his brilliant strategy and tactics. In reality, the victories were not his and the Nez Perce won at places like White Bird Canyon and Big Hole because they were able to seize the initiative when surprised.
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