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NEZ PERCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Bear Paw Battlefield is part of Nez Perce National
Historical Park and Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
It is the site of the last battle of the Nez Perce War of 1877.
On September 29, 1877, a community of 700 men, women and
children made camp on the banks of Snake Creek at a place t
hey called C'Aynnim 'Alikinwaapsa (The Place of the Manure Fire).
On September 30 a battle occurred followed by an extended siege
lasting until October 5. At 2:00 PM on the afternoon of October 5,
Chief Joseph, on behalf of 432 survivors, ended the battle as
he gave his rifle to Colonel Nelson A. Miles saying "From where
the sun now stands, I will fight no more, forever."
The Nez Perce were unaware that Colonel Nelson A. Miles
had been ordered from the Tongue River Cantonment
(near Miles City, Montana) to intercept the "fugitives."
Mile's 400 soldiers of the 2nd and 7th Cavalries, the 5th
Mounted Infantry, and 40 Indian scouts crossed the Missouri
River by steamer on September 25. This was two days and 70
miles east of the Nez Perce crossing at Cow Island.
Approaching from the southeast on September 29, Miles ordered
his forces to make camp.Miles was unaware of the Nez Perce camp's
location just 12 miles away northwest.
About 4 a.m. on September 30, army scouts alerted Colonel Miles
of the Nez Perce camp.Miles ordered his troops to march,
expecting to surprise and overwhelm the Nez Perce with a
sudden attack.
In the Nez Perce camp, people awoke to cold
and cloudy weather.Early morning calm was soon shattered as
a cavalry charge came from the southeast.Despite the surprise,
the Nez Perce inflicted heavy casualties on the frontal attack
ade by Company K of the 7th Cavalry.The 2nd Calvary made a
flanking movement to the west, successfully separating the
Nez Perce from their horses. With the 7th Cavalry reinforced
by the 5th Infantry, the Nez Perce were forced to the north end
of their camp. The army secured the bluff to the south.The Nez Perce
held their position and prevented any further advance.
Both sides suffered heavy casualties the first day. The Army lost 23 soldiers,
and had 45 wounded. The Nez Perce lost 27 men and women with another 46 wounded.
Later three additional Nez Perce civilians were killed when canon fire hit their
shelter area.
During the first day of action about 150 Nez Perce were able
to flee north to Canada. Many reached the camp of Sitting Bull with word of
the events at Bear Paw. A few were given refuge by local tribes, some were
killed, while others were captured and turned over to the Army.
Unable to defeat the Nez Perce, the troops encircled and laid siege
to the camp. On October 4, General Howard arrived with a small escort,
and the possibility of reinforcements. With concern for the welfare of
the women and children, and on the promises of Miles and Howard, Joseph
agreed to quit the fight. On the afternoon of October 5, Chief Joseph,
representing many of the remaining Nez Perce, ended the Battle of Bear Paw
and the Nez Perce War by handing his rifle to Colonel Miles.
CHIEF JOSEPH'S SPEECH
Popular culture places much emphasis on the speech of Joseph, presented
in a popular form on a battlefield wayside.Research and Joseph's own
testimony indicates that there is much more to this speech.
On the morning of October 5, 1877, the Nez Perce under siege
at Bear Paw met with two "Treaty Nez Perce" (those who agreed to sign
the Treaty of 1863) to discuss terms of "quitting the fight".
White Bird spoke of mistrust of the Army's promises and refused to surrender.
Joseph is thought to have delivered the major portion of his speech to
those assembled in the Nez Perce camp. His words explain the reason to
surrender: to save the people. As for his speech to Howard and Miles
that afternoon, Joseph states all he said was "From where the sun now stands,
I will fight no more" as he handed his rifle to Miles.
LOCATION
The Battlefield
Bear Paw Battlefield is 16 miles south of Chinook, MT on County Route 240.
A self-guided trail, picnic tables, and restrooms are available. The office is in the Chinook Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on the southwest corner of US Route 2 and Indiana Avenue in Chinook. Contact the park office for hours and tours.
The Interim Visitor Center
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