|
 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
Posted on 07/13/2003 12:01:09 AM PDT by SAMWolf
|
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
|
|
The 1877 Nez Perce War, one of the most studied and debated Indian wars in American history, has been told from as many perspectives as there are people telling the story... The Nez Perce believe the Creator molded them from the earth. The Nee-Me-Poo--"the people"--lived for centuries as a loosely-knit confederation of small bands.  In their native homeland, now southeastern Washington, notheastern Oregon, and northcentral Idaho, the Nez Perce depended on the land for their survial. The earth and rivers provided roots and berries, fish, and game. Farming and land ownership were foreign to the Nez Perce. They believed the earth was not to be disturbed by hoe and plow. The land was their home, not a commodity to be bought or sold. Chief Yellow Wolf, a relative of Chief Joseph and survivor of the Nez Perce War, said, "We were always here. Nature placed us in this land of ours." In the mid 1800's, Indian-settler disputes intensified in the west. In the Nez Perce homeland, the federal government failed to enforce an 1855 treaty prohibiting unlawful encroachment on Indian reservation land. Preceded by explorers, fur traders, miners and missionaries, others seeking the bounty of Idaho's natural resources swarmed into Nez Perce territory. As a result, in 1863, the seven-million acre Nez Perce Indian Reservation was reduced to an area 10% of its original size. During the 1870's there was increasing pressure to force all non-treaty Nez Perce onto the reduced reservation. After a decade of mistreatment and abuse endured by the Nez Perce, five Nez Perce chiefs refused to sign the new treaty. Increasing pressure between the Nez Perce and settlers resulted in the first battle at White Bird Canyon, Idaho, June 17, 1877. Before fleeing eastward over the Buffalo Trail (Lolo Trail) to Montana, the non-treaty Nez Perce fought several more battles with army units commanded by General Howard and settler volunteers.  Looking Glass, 1871 The Nez Perce believed the Army and its volunteers were just chasing them out of Idaho and they would be safe in Montana. They intended to travel peacefully to a place where they could find peace--someday returning to their homeland. unsettled settlers Fear spread among Montana settlers as reports of the unrest in Idaho reached Montana. Newspapers fanned the flames of fear by printing distorted stories. The Nez Perce were heading over the Lolo Trail toward Montana. Many Montana settlers were accustomed to Nez Perce visits. Some settlers claimed Nez Perce as friends, but panic prevailed. Newspaper editors demanded action by Montana Territorial Governor Benjamin Potts. Telegrams to President Hayes demanded that the army punish "the hostiles," ignoring the fact that the Nez Perce were defending their homeland. Montana settlers formed volunteer militia groups. Stevensville, Montana settlers hastily rebuilt Fort Owen, a crumbling, walled trading post. Corvallis, Montana and Skalkaho residents built sod forts to protect their families.  Nez Perce child Bitterroot Salish Chief Charlo, and his people, had been friendly to both settlers and Nez Perce. However, the Salish were also experiencing increasing pressure from settlers to give up their land in the Bitterroot Valley. Nobody was sure how the Salish would react to the Nez Perce presence. By the time the Nez Perce reached Lolo Pass, Montana residents has been reading of supposed "terrible atrocities" for five weeks. "it is an outrage that the Nez Perce shall be allowed to pass through our territory..." J.H. Mills, editor, New Northwest. The highly publicized fate of Custer, the year before at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, magnified the settler's fear. While the Nez Perce intended to pass peacefully through Montana, the panic stricken settlers feared their lives. Traditionally, the Bitterroot Valley in western Montana was home to the Bitterroot Salish, but they ranged hundreds of miles in all directions to hunt buffalo, fish for salmon, trade and visit neighboring tribes.  Heinmot Tooyalakekt, or Chief Joseph, October 23, 1877 The 1855 Hellgate Treaty established a reservation about 75 miles north of Montana's Bitterroot Valley for several other Salish bands and they considered the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana a reservation for the Bitterroot Salish. However, white settlers pressured the Federal government to create a second treaty in 1872. This treaty forced the Bitterroot Salish onto the reservation to the north. To block the Nez Perce from entering Montana, Captain Rawn, 7th Infantry, with thirty enlisted men and four officers from nearby Fort Missoula, Montana, entrenched themselves behind log breastworks in a small opening along the Lolo Creek drainage adjacent to the Lolo Trail. About 150 settlers joined th esoilders. The 750 Nez Perce, with their 1000+ horses, were camped about five miles to the west. At a meeting of the Nez Perce chiefs and Army officers, the Nez Perce made four things very clear: they had no intention of molesting settlers or property; they wanted to travel in peace; they would not surrender their horses, arms and ammunition; and they were not ready to return to the hostile environment in Idaho. "I had a talk with Chief's Joseph, White Bird and Looking Glass, who proposed if allowed to pass unmolested, to march peaceably through the Bittertoot Valley in western Montana." Captain Rawn. Soon after the meeting, many settler volunteers returned home. Some reports say they were convinced that the Next Perce wanted a peaceful trip through the valley.  Others, "at the sight of so many Indians...deserted," said Corporal Loynes, 7th Infantry. "Now could we see the Indians passing within sight of us. Of course they did not want us to see them, and we did not." reported Corporal Loynes, 7th Infantry Captain Rawn had clear orders. He said the Nez Perce could not pass; however, the barricade failed when the Nez Perce, with their horses and possessions, climbed a steep ravine behind the ridge to the north and bypassed the soldiers. This maneuver earned White Bird the nickname of the "Indian Hannibal" and the previously unnamed barricade became a ridiculed "Fort Fizzle." "How easy any Indian force, whether seeking pillage or only escape, could not pass around, through and by our untrained troops. So far as infantry goes, expect to defend the larger towns or some fortified position." The Helena Daily Herald, July 30, 1877 "The Indians were fagged out, their cayuses scarcely able to walk, and their cartridge balets almost empty. To let them go by was equivalent to giving them new horses, plenty of ammunition and ample provisions. It was, in a word, breathing new life into a corpse. "Sergeant T.A. Sutherland, Volunteer aide-de-camp to General Howard.
|
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!
Welcome Home Marines!! 
The Nez Perce war wasn't our finest moment, was it? I sure admire Chief Joseph.
Thanks also for the Pix of the Reagan commissioning. What a fitting tribute to a great President. I personally keep a holiday on my calendar, the Berlin Wall Day, the day the Germans tore that filthy thing down. And they thought Reagan was a fool for telling the Sov's to tear it down. I've been privileged to witness great people and great events in my lifetime.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
