The Nez Perce War of 1877 represents a poignant and pivotal chapter in American history, marking a desperate struggle by several bands of the Nez Perce tribe and their Palouse allies against the encroaching United States Army. This armed conflict, which unfolded between June and October of 1877, was ignited by the staunch refusal of the Nez Perce to relinquish their cherished ancestral lands in the Pacific Northwest and relocate to a designated Indian reservation in Idaho. The war epitomizes the tragic clash between indigenous sovereignty and the relentless expansion of American settlers.
For many years, the Nez Perce maintained remarkably peaceful relations with the arriving white settlers. Their history of peaceful coexistence dates back to the early 19th century when they provided crucial aid to the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804, an act that likely prevented the expedition’s failure. Decades later, in the 1830s, they again offered assistance to Captain Benjamin Bonneville’s western expedition, further cementing their reputation for hospitality and diplomacy.
The Seeds of Conflict: Broken Treaties and Diminishing Lands
The peaceful cohabitation began to fray significantly with the increasing westward migration of white settlers. In 1855, Chief Joseph’s father, known as Old Joseph, entered into a treaty with the U.S. government that formally recognized and preserved a significant portion of his people’s traditional territories. However, this agreement proved short-lived. A mere eight years later, in 1863, a second treaty was presented that drastically reduced Nez Perce lands, seizing a staggering seven million acres and leaving them with a meager 138,000 acres. Old Joseph vehemently asserted throughout his life that his people never consented to this second, highly disadvantageous treaty, underscoring the deep sense of injustice felt by the tribe.
The growing tensions between settlers and the Nez Perce escalated into violent confrontation in mid-June 1877. The Nez Perce, led by respected figures such as Chief Joseph, Chief Looking Glass, and Chief White Bird, found themselves compelled to defend their remaining homelands and way of life against a technologically superior military force. The stage was set for the fateful Nez Perce War.
The War Begins: White Bird Canyon and the Flight for Freedom
The first major engagement of the war occurred on June 17, 1877, at White Bird Canyon in the Idaho Territory. Here, the Nez Perce warriors achieved a stunning and significant victory against the U.S. Army, demonstrating their fierce resolve and tactical prowess. This initial success proved them to be an exceptionally effective fighting force, surprising many and setting the tone for the challenging campaign ahead for the Army.
Throughout the summer and early fall of 1877, the Nez Perce embarked on an epic and harrowing journey. The extraordinary fighting skill of the Nez Perce warriors, combined with the brilliant military strategies of their leaders like Chief Looking Glass and Chief White Bird, allowed them to repeatedly evade certain defeat at the hands of larger and better-equipped U.S. Army forces. The Nez Perce strength during the 1877 conflict was estimated to be only a few hundred warriors, many of whom had no formal military training, and they traveled alongside numerous non-combatants, including women, children, and the elderly. In contrast, the U.S. Army deployed several thousand soldiers during the 1877 Nez Perce campaign, commanded by seasoned veterans of the Civil War with years of military training and experience.
The Nez Perce’s arduous trek spanned more than 1,500 miles, leading them from their Wallowa Valley homeland through the rugged territories of Idaho and Montana. Their ultimate destination was Canada, where they hoped to find refuge and freedom from persecution. Along this incredible journey, the Nez Perce and the Army engaged in numerous skirmishes and battles, each encounter further highlighting the Nez Perce’s resilience and determination.
- Battle of White Bird Canyon, Idaho – June 17, 1877
- Battle of Cottonwood, Idaho – July 3–5, 1877
- Battle of the Clearwater, Idaho – July 11–12, 1877
- Battle of Big Hole, Montana – August 9–10, 1877
- Battle of Camas Meadows, Idaho – August 20, 1877
- Battle of Canyon Creek, Montana – September 13, 1877
- Battle of Cow Island, Montana – September 23, 1877
- Battle of Bear Paw, Montana – September 30 – October 5, 1877
The Final Stand: Bear Paw Mountain and Chief Joseph’s Surrender
By October 1877, the grueling effects of traveling over 1,500 miles across treacherous western terrain, coupled with dwindling supplies and the harsh realities of approaching winter weather, began to take their toll on the resilient Nez Perce. The last major engagement of the Nez Perce War was fought at Bear Paw Mountain in the Montana Territory, from September 30 to October 5, 1877. Here, after a brutal siege and with the odds overwhelmingly against them, continued fighting became futile.
It was at Bear Paw Mountain that Chief Joseph, the revered leader, made the difficult decision to surrender his remaining forces to General Nelson A. Miles and General Oliver Otis Howard. His powerful and poignant surrender speech resonated with a profound weariness and sorrow, a testament to the suffering endured by his people:
“I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”
For their actions during the intense fighting at Bear Paw Mountain, Captains Edward S. Godfrey and Myles Moylan were later awarded the Medal of Honor, acknowledging their valor in a conflict marked by immense hardship on both sides.
Aftermath and Legacy
General Miles had promised the Nez Perce a safe return to their cherished Wallowa Valley homelands. However, this promise was tragically overruled by higher political authorities. Instead of returning home, the survivors of the 1877 conflict were forcibly sent to reservations in Kansas and later Oklahoma, where they endured many more years of hardship, disease, and displacement. It was not until the mid-1880s, nearly a decade after their surrender, that the Nez Perce were finally permitted to return to their traditional territories. Even then, Chief Joseph and the other remaining tribal leaders spent their twilight years on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington, never fully regaining the freedom they so fiercely fought for.
The Nez Perce War stands as a stark reminder of the complex and often tragic interactions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes during the era of westward expansion. It underscored how battlefield decisions and promises made by commanders could be undermined by distant political forces. The bravery, strategic genius, and immense suffering of the Nez Perce people during their epic flight for freedom continue to be studied and remembered, serving as a powerful testament to their enduring spirit and the profound impact of treaty violations on indigenous communities.
