Nez Perce War

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Nez Perce War

Part of the Indian Wars

Date	1877
Location	Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana
Result	Many Nez Perce surrendered and were placed on reservations

Belligerents

United States

Nez Percé

Commanders

Oliver O. Howard,
John Gibbon,
Nelson A. Miles

Chief Joseph,
Chief Looking Glass†,
Chief White Bird

Strength

Unknown

800 warriors, women and children

Casualties and losses

180 civilians and soldiers killed,
150 civilians and soldiers wounded

130 warriors, women and children killed

v • d • e Nez Perce War

White Bird Canyon – Clearwater – Big Hole – Camas Creek – Canyon Creek – Bear Paw

The Nez Perce War was a series of battles between the Nez Perce and the United States government. The Nez Perce were led by several chiefs, including Chief Joseph, Chief Ollicot, and Chief Looking Glass. The American Army was represented mainly by General Oliver Otis Howard. Colonel John Gibbon, General Nelson A. Miles and Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis were involved as well.

The conflict began when white ranchers realized that Wallowa Valley, as well as the Snake and Clearwater valleys, where the Indians lived, would make great open range for their cattle. As a result, the U.S. Government pressured the Indians to move to a reservation established in an 1863 treaty or be removed by force. At first, the Nez Perce agreed to the move in order to forestall violence, though they did not recognize the 1863 treaty as binding. Unfortunately, four whites, including Jurdin Elfers and Henry Beckridge, were killed by Nez Perce en route to the reservation. Looking Glass and the other Chiefs then decided to travel to Montana to stay with the Crow Tribe, a tribe they knew from their buffalo hunting in the area.

The Nez Perce traveled through Idaho towards Montana, fighting the U.S. Army in several battles along the way. The Nez Perce were victorious in all of these engagements. The Nez Perce then entered Montana through the tough and mountainous Lolo Pass. They continued on to Yellowstone Park and then north towards Canada. When they were within a few days ride of Canada, the Nez Perce were cut off by General Nelson Miles and were forced to surrender.

[edit] Depictions in media

The 1975 David Wolper historical teledrama I Will Fight No More Forever starring Ned Romero as Joseph and James Whitmore as Gen. Howard was well received at a time when Native American issues were receiving exposure in the news, and notable in that it attempted to present a balanced view of the events: the leadership pressures on Joseph were juxtaposed with the Army having to do an unpleasant task while an action-hungry press establishment looked on.