Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Battle Of Big Hole For Western Wednesday...!

One thing you have to agree about...the Native Americans were not ones to give up easily.

The warriors of the Nez Perce took the fight to the American troops in four separate battles, but ended up being defeated at nearly every turn.

1877
 Nez Perce fight Battle of Big Hole

Having refused government demands that they move to a reservation, a small band of Nez Perce Indians clash with the U.S. Army near the Big Hole River in Montana.

The conflict between the U.S. government and the Nez Perce was one of the most tragic of the many Indian wars of the 19th century. Beginning with the tribe’s first contact with the explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the peaceful Nez Perce had befriended and cooperated with the Americans. Even when hordes of white settlers began to flood into their homelands along the Snake River (around the present-day intersection of the Oregon, Washington, and Idaho state borders), most of the Nez Perce peacefully moved to a reservation.

However, about a quarter of the Nez Perce, most of them stockmen and buffalo hunters, refused to accept internment on a reservation. Government pressure to force these last resisters to comply finally led to the outbreak of the Nez Perce War of 1877. A small band of warriors—never more than 145 men, though burdened with about 500 noncombatants—fought U.S. soldiers at four major battles.

The third battle of the Nez Perce War occurred on this day in 1877. Fleeing eastward with hopes of escaping to Canada, the Nez Perce made camp in the Big Hole Basin in present-day western Montana. At 3:30 a.m., Colonel John Gibbon attacked the sleeping Indians with a force of 183 men. Raking the Indian lodges with withering rifle fire, the soldiers initially seemed to be victorious. The Nez Perce, however, soon counterattacked from concealed positions in the surrounding hills. After four days of sporadic fighting, the Nez Perce withdrew.

Both sides suffered serious casualties. The soldiers lost 29 men with 40 wounded. The army body count found 89 Nez Perce dead, mostly women and children. The battle dealt the Nez Perce a grave, though not fatal, blow. The remaining Indians were able to escape, and they headed northeast towards Canada. Two months later, on October 5, Colonel Nelson Miles decisively defeated the Nez Perce at the Battle of the Bear Paw Mountains. Those who were not killed surrendered and reluctantly agreed to return to the reservation. The Nez Perce were only 40 miles short of the Canadian border.

Seems like we were always moving the Indians to another place, disregarding their rights and desires altogether. No doubt in my mind that we, as a people, would fight back at such a move if it happened today. Just my opinion!

Coffee in the kitchen once again. The rain just keeps on showing up.

6 comments:

Judy said...

Was in the Navajo truck stop along I-40 in Arizona, they had a display of posters. One was the classic picture of 4 Apache warriors with the caption that said: Homeland Security...fighting terrorism since 1492. I chuckled and thought it's all about perspective isn't it.

Made cinnamon rolls, if anyone would like one with their coffee.

linda m said...

I have to agree with you Mr. Hermit. I know I would fight back if someone kept trying to throw me off my property just because they wanted it. We never really respected their rights just because their lifestyle was what we considered uncivilized. Thanks for the cinnamon roll, Judy

joetentpeg said...

Good thing other Indian tribes didn't conquer and take over each other's land.

Ie. Cheyenne vs. Sioux, Commanche vs. Apache, Apache vs. Navajo ect.

Oh wait! But they did.

Conquest of land is the story of Human history.

As for 'white settlers', got 'Buffalo Soldiers'??

HermitJim said...

Hey Judy...
I would LOVE a fresh cinnamon roll, thank you! I've seen that picture, but with a different caption.
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Linda...
I think that most of us would. Especially those that were farmers and herders.
Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Joetentpeg...
Seems like mankind is always fighting one another, doesn't it? Wonder if it will ever end?
Thanks for the visit this morning!

JO said...

These stories always make me sad. But it is what it is. The fight sometime for a real cause but mostly for evil wants.

Cinnamon roll sounds wonderful with coffee this morning Judy. Early morning errands to get done high temps again.

Gorges Smythe said...

Like the judges and hospitals of England with little Charlie Gard, The U.S, government just couldn't allow the Nez Pierce to go to Canada and live in peace.