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People of the 1877 Nez Perce ConflictThe history of the American West has involved the broadest possible cross-section of human activity. In an on-going effort to acknowledge previously under-recognized players and noteworthy individuals in the American western drama, the PEOPLE section is designed to help you identify with these courageous men, women, and children. THE NEZ PERCE AND THE U.S. CAVALRYIn 1877, the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce, under the leadership of the brothers Joseph and Ollokot, joined four other tribal groups traveling from their traditional homeland in the Wallowa Valley to the Idaho Territory. At Tolo Lake in Idaho, several young warriors avenged the deaths of tribal members by killing four white men. Fearing retaliation from the military, the non-treaty Nez Perce, joined by bands of the Palouse, left for White Bird Canyon -- and the U.S. Cavalry followed. About 800 Nez Perce, herding more than 2000 horses and carrying whatever possessions they could manage, embarked on a circuitous 1,100-mile route toward Canada. They made this trek in under four months, fleeing from the U.S. Army troops who were under orders to place them on a reservation. The 250 Nez Perce men fought more than 20 engagements and five major battles against 2000 U.S. soldiers and militia. Time and again the Nez Perce outmaneuvered the military as they struggled to reach the Canadian border. The exhausted bands surrendered just 40 miles short of their goal.
Please visit our cavalry pages for pictures, and information. The people of this time left journals, letters and spoken word describing how life was at that time. For a sampling of these letters, and quotes please visit Quotes and Letters |
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