at the Big Hole on August 9. August on Hole Big the at

attack on their sleeping village sleeping their on attack

crossing of the , River, Missouri the of crossing repelled a devastating army army devastating a repelled

Steamboat Rock near Cow Island Island Cow near Rock Steamboat

battles and skirmishes, and and skirmishes, and battles

US Forest Service Image Service Forest US masterfully in some 20 20 some in masterfully

2,000 horses, they fought fought they horses, 2,000

and sick. Leading a herd of of herd a Leading sick. and

were women, children, old old children, women, were

250 were warriors: the rest rest the warriors: were 250

fled for their lives. Only Only lives. their for fled

750 Nez Perce desperately desperately Perce Nez 750

they did not seek, nearly nearly seek, not did they

Swept into a fight fight a into Swept

involvement in it whatsoever. it in involvement

Looking Glass band into conflict; the village had sought to avoid any any avoid to sought had village the conflict; into band Glass Looking

Canyon. Two weeks later, an unprovoked army attack brought the the brought attack army unprovoked an later, weeks Two Canyon.

June 17 after they defeated a cavalry force at the Battle of White Bird Bird White of Battle the at force cavalry a defeated they after 17 June

The Nez Perce flight began June 15, 1877 and intensified on on intensified and 1877 15, June began flight Perce Nez The

murders of relatives by killing some white settlers. white some killing by relatives of murders

vengeance. Riding from camp at Tolo Lake, Idaho they avenged past past avenged they Idaho Lake, Tolo at camp from Riding vengeance.

losing their Wallowa homeland, provoked several young warriors to to warriors young several provoked homeland, Wallowa their losing

Years of high-handedness and mistreatment, and the prospect of of prospect the and mistreatment, and high-handedness of Years

Howard brusquely refused. brusquely Howard

people and their horses and cattle, and asked for an extension, which which extension, an for asked and cattle, and horses their and people

by force. The chiefs argued the time was inadequate to gather the the gather to inadequate was time the argued chiefs The force. by

or the army would make them comply, comply, them make would army the or

– days 30 in Lapwai to livestock Crandall Creek, Wyoming Creek, Crandall

Mountainous terrain along the trail, trail, the along terrain Mountainous

them to bring their families and and families their bring to them

US Forest Service Image Service Forest US Idaho. Howard summarily ordered ordered summarily Howard Idaho.

chiefs at a council in Fort Lapwai, Lapwai, Fort in council a at chiefs

Howard met the non-treaty Nez Perce Perce Nez non-treaty the met Howard

In May 1877, General Oliver O. O. Oliver General 1877, May In

U.S. Army was commanded to do so. do to commanded was Army U.S.

reservation in Idaho, and in 1877, the the 1877, in and Idaho, in reservation

Perce to the reduced 1863 Treaty Treaty 1863 reduced the to Perce

the government to relocate the Nez Nez the relocate to government the

the Wallowa region, home of ’s band. Settlers petitioned petitioned Settlers band. Joseph’s Chief of home region, Wallowa the

the Wallowas. But conflict with newcomers increased, particularly in in particularly increased, newcomers with conflict But Wallowas. the

For some years non-treaty Nez Perce continued to live as they had in in had they as live to continued Perce Nez non-treaty years some For

Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) Since aiding the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805, whites knew the Nez Perce Indians as friends. The Nimiipuu (“Nee-Me-Poo”) lived in bands, welcoming traders and National Historic Trail missionaries to a land framed by the rivers, mountains, and valleys of present day southeastern Washington, This Trail northeastern Oregon, and north-central Idaho. Oregon • Idaho • Montana • Wyoming Fifty years after the Corps of Discovery, Washington is a territorial governor Isaac I. Stevens met in council with Sacred Trust for all Nez Perce leaders. The resulting 1855 Treaty with the U.S. ongress enacted the Government guaranteed the tribes rights to their ancestral Americans C homeland in perpetuity, and set aside a Nez Perce reservation Forest Service Bureau of Land National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Trails System in 1968 U.S. Department Management U.S. Department of Service of some 5,000 square miles. of Agriculture U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of “We the surviving Nez Perce, the Interior the Interior to establish a framework for a want to leave our hearts, nationwide system of scenic, Then in 1860, encroaching prospectors struck gold in memories, hallowed presence Idaho. Thousands of miners, merchants and settlers overran recreational and historic trails. Nez Perce land, seized resources and committed depredations as a never ending against tribal members. In 1863 the federal government revelation to the story of responded with new treaty talks. But this time, the U.S. wanted the events of 1877. The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) most of the Nez Perce reservation – including their treasured These trails will live National Historic Trail was Wallowa region of northeastern Oregon and the Payette Lake in our hearts.” designated in 1986. region. “We want to thank all who visit Commemorating the 1877 Most chiefs refused and angrily departed. Amid these sacred trails, , the trail extends uncertainty, pressure, and promises, the remaining chiefs reluctantly agreed to a reservation 90 percent smaller than that they will about 1,170 miles from the that of 1855. Without authority they ceded lands of Nez Perce share our innermost feelings. vicinity of Wallowa Lake, who left the council, in a document thereafter called Because their journey “the Thief Treaty.” makes this Oregon to Bear Paw Battlefield an important time for near Chinook, Montana. Whites distinguished those who signed as “treaty” Nez the present, Perce; those who had not were the “non-treaty.” The drastic past and future.” 1863 Treaty divided the tribe and foreshadowed a war whose repercussions are still felt. Frank B. Andrews, Nez Perce Descendant

Photo by Harold Pfeiffer Big Hole National Battlefield, Wisdom, Montana

National Park Service Image

Photo: Chief Joseph Mountain, Oregon by Harold Pfeiffer White Bird Battlefield, Nez Perce National Historical Park, Idaho The Nez Perce eluded over 2,000 soldiers, civilian volunteers, and scouts from other Indian tribes, on a circuitous route through four states dictated by topography and their own Nez Perce in Exile skillful strategy. They sought safety among Crow allies on the Fort Vancouver, Washington plains; when this failed, their last hope was A worse place to put a camp of four hundred human sanctuary in Canada. After fleeing more than1,100 miles they In July of 1877 Red Heart’s band returned from beings, mostly women and children could not have were trapped at the Bears Paw Mountains in Montana, and hunting in Montana to discover their homeland been selected; in fact it would seem as if this spot had forced to submit to Colonel Nelson Miles on October 5, 1877 embroiled in conflict. Determined not to join the war, been selected for the express purpose of putting an end – only 40 miles from Canada. they believed General Howard when he promised to Chief Joseph and his band....One half were sick.....All them safe conduct to the reservation. Instead their were filled with the poisonous malaria of the camp. General William T. Sherman called the Nez Perce saga horses were seized, their hair cut and they were Council Fire, August 1878 “the most extraordinary of Indian wars.” Today, their route forcibly taken, all 33 men, women and children, is designated the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic to Fort Vancouver. There they were held until April I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth. The Great Spirit Chief who rules Trail by act of Congress. 1878 when they were finally returned to Idaho. Fort Vancouver 1854 from a lithograph by Gustavus Sohon above seemed to be looking some other way, and did This historic route was used in its en tirety only once; Fort Walsh, Canada not see what was being done to my people. however, component trails and roads making up the Trail Ee Yak ish Pah (iyeq’iispe) The Hot Country Chief Joseph saw generations of travel prior to and after the 1877 conflict. Between September 30 and October 5, 1877 The Nez Perce National Historic Trail ends at the In July 1878, leaving an unknown number Some became linked to modern road systems, while other more than 200 Nez Perce men, women and children Bear Paw Battlefield, but the story did not end there. who had died and were buried near Fort stretches were abandoned for more direct routes better suited managed to escape the Bear Paw battle and make Colonel Nelson Miles had begun implementing the Leavenworth, the Nez Perce were transported to automobiles. In places the original Nez Perce Trail can be their way the last forty miles to Canada. Along the way terms of Chief Joseph’s surrender when the army’s by rail car to Baxter Springs, Kansas, enroute to experienced on the landscape today. some of the people stopped at Cree, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, and Metis villages strung senior commander, General William T. Sherman, what would be their final “home in exile” at a announced an alarming change of plans. Rather than reservation set aside for them near present-day along the Milk River. At some camps the Nez Perce found refuge, at oth- returning to Idaho as Miles promised, the Nez Perce Tonkawa, Oklahoma. ers, death. were ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From there they were sent on to Baxter Springs, then the Quapaw For a time some Nez Perce Reservation and Ponca Agency in Oklahoma. found refuge with the Lakota who The conditions were so dire that most Nez Perce babies had also fled to Canada after the born in Indian Territory died, and were buried there. Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The North West Mounted Police at Fort Walsh assured them they were welcome as long as they remained peaceful and stayed in Canada. Colonel Nelson Miles Courtesy of Montana Historical Society Research Center - Photograph Archives, In summer 1878 the U.S. Helena, Montana (943-884) government sent a delegation to persuade the Nez Perce refugees to return to American soil, and rejoin Joseph’s people. Some, like White Bird’s followers, chose to remain in Canada, while others opted to return on their own. Courtesy of In 1885 these remaining people boarded a train at Arkansas City to start the bittersweet Ask Us About Our Courtesy of the Glenbow Museum “Exprience the Nez Perce Trail” Archive (NA-5501-8) journey west, some to the reservation at Lapwai Auto Tour Brochures Chief White Bird and others who chose to go with Joseph to the led an escape Colville reservation. Their hearts were heavy with into Canada, The Trail is sacred ground; please respect the memories of those they had lost along the the resources during your travels. taking many who were able trail and those they were leaving behind in this to travel. country of exile. Courtesy of National Park Service, NPNHP Image 3315 Nez Perce at Lapwai, Idaho

Experience the Nez Perce Trail...

Organizations Bureau of Land Management

Clearwater National Forest Caribou-Targhee Nez Perce Trail Foundation Vale District Office Miles City Field Office 12730 Highway 12 National Forest 208-940-0053 100 Oregon Street 111 Garryowen Road Orofino, ID 83544 1405 Hollipark Drive www.nezpercetrail.net Vale, OR 97918-9630 Miles City, MT 59301 208-476-4541 Idaho Falls, ID 83401 541-473-3144 406-233-2800 www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater 208-524-7500 www.or.blm.gov/vale www.blm.gov/mt/ www.fs.fed.us/r4/caribou- Lolo National Forest targhee Salmon Field Office Lewistown Field Office Building 24, Fort Missoula National Park Service 1206 S.Challis St. 920 NE Main St Salmon, Idaho 83467 Lewistown, MT 59457 Missoula, MT 59804 Gallatin National Forest 406-329-3750 Nez Perce National Yellowstone National Park (208)756-5400 406-538-1900 The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic 10 E. Babcock Avenue, PO Trail stretches from the Wallowa Valley of www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo Box 130 Historical Park P.O. Box 168 www.blm.gov/id/ www.blm.gov/mt/ Oregon to the Bear Paw Battlefield in north Bozeman, MT 59771 P.O. Box 1000 Yellowstone, WY 82190-0168 Bitterroot National Forest 406-587-6701 Lapwai, ID 83540 307-344-7381 Upper Snake Field Office Missoula Field Office central Montana. Today, travelers can retrace the st 1801 North 1 Street www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin 208-843-7001 www.nps.gov/yell 1405 Hollipark Drive 3255 Fort Missoula Road approximate route of the 1877 Nez Perce flight Hamilton, MT 59840 www.nps.gov/nepe Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Missoula, MT 59804 by following the Nez Perce Trail auto route. 406-363-7100 Shoshone National Forest Bear Paw Battlefield 208-524-7500 406-329-3914 The auto route crosses three-season, all-weather www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot 808 Meadow Lane Big Hole National Battlefield P.O. Box 26 www.blm.gov/id/ www.blm.gov/mt/ roadways ranging from high-standard gravel Cody, WY 82414-6241 P.O. Box 237 Chinook, MT 59523 307-527-6241 segments to Interstates. Nez Perce Trail signs, Beaverhead-Deerlodge Wisdom, MT 59761 406-357-3130 Cody Field Office Upper Missouri River like the one shown here, mark the entire route. National Forest www.fs.fed.us/r2/shoshone 406-689-3155 1002 Blackburn BreaksVisitor Center 420 Barrett Street www.nps.gov/biho PO Box 518 701 7th Street For more information, contact: Dillon, MT 59725-3572 Hells Canyon National Cody, WY 82414-8464 Fort Benton, MT 59442 406-683-3900 Recreation Area 307-578-5900 406-622-4000 Forest Service www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d P.O. Box 905 State Agencies www.blm.gov/wy/ www.blm.gov/mt Joseph, OR 97846 Nez Perce National Wallowa-Whitman Salmon-Challis 541-426-5546 Montana Department of Fish, Idaho Department of Historic Trail National Forest National Forest Snake River Office Wildlife & Parks Fish & Game Butte Field Office Administrators Office 1550 Dewy Ave. 106 North Parkmont 1206 S. Challis St. 2535 Riverside Drive 1420 East 6th Avenue P.O. Box 25 12730 Highway 12 PO Box 907 Butte, MT 59701 Salmon, ID 83467 P.O. Box 699 Helena, MT 59620 Boise, ID 83707 Orofino, ID 83544 Baker City, OR 97814 406-494-5059 208-756-5100 Clarkston, WA 99403 406-444-2535 208-334-3700 208-476-8334 541-523-6391 www.blm.gov/mt/ www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc 509-758-0616 http://fwp.mt.gov/parks www.fishandgame.idaho.gov www.fs.usda.gov/npnht www.fs.fed.us/r6/w-w www.fs.fed.us/hellscanyon [email protected] www.lnt.org Nez Perce National Forest Nez Perce National 104 Airport Road U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Historic Trail Grangeville, ID 83530 Public Affairs 208-983-1950 Dworshak National Lee Metcalf National The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. U.S. Forest Service www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce Fish Hatchery Wildlife Refuge www.treadlightly.org PO Box 7669 P.O. Box 18 4567 Wildfowl Lane 200 E. Broadway Ahsahka, ID 83520 Stevensville, MT 59870 www.respectedaccess.org Missoula, MT 59807 208-476-4591 406-777-5552 406-329-3540 www.fws.gov/dworshak www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/ [email protected] R1–10–01