1. Nimi’ipuu CharactersThunder Travelling to Lofitier Mountains (Hin-mah to yah-lat-kekht) Chief Joseph leader of the Nimi’ipuu Tribe, son of Chief Joseph of Wallowa. 29 years of age large, heavily built man, six feet 2 inches tall with handsome, noble features. He was compassionate, tolerant, mild, gentle disposition and was developed as a civil leader. After the Nez Perce War of 1877 Chief Joseph continued to support his people by travelling to Washington D.C. and speaking up about their the displacements. He managed to get his people back to the Northwest but he could never live in his homeland.
2. Frog, Ollokot - (Ar-lo-quat) nephew of Chief Joseph’s brother and son of Great Chief Joseph. Ollokot was the complement of Chief Joseph. Younger than Chief Joseph, impetuous, gay, fun loving, daring and a able hunter winning the respect from the bands hunters and braves.
3. Toohoolhoolzote- dreamer medicine man, tall, powerful hunter and warrior. A fiery orator and a proud man whose intense spiritual beliefs caused the whites to regard him as hostile. Rancorous active, restless and unafraid of any white men. The elder of all five tribes and still very strong.
4. Peopeo Tholekt (Bird Alighting) - warrior and spokesperson for Looking Glass and was the one who dismantled the gatling gun and buried it. Peopeo continued to participate in battles and skirmishes.
5. Yellow Wolf - warrior and Chief Joseph’s nephew and warned Chief Joseph that the government wanted all indians in one place. He was part of Chief Joseph’s band and often had to go out and retrieve the dead bodies after an encounter with the U. S. Calvary. Often left with one other Indian to protect the entire group. Often Yellow Wolf could see the message that was presented with the U.S. Cavalry. Since Yellow Wolf was so young his recollections of all the events helped historians record accurately the flight of the Nez Perce.
6.Heinmot Ippilp (Red Thunder) - Red Coat warriorChuslum Moxmox (Yellow Buffalo Bull) Salmon River Indian follower of Whitebird and was the father of Sarpsis Ilppilp, vetern of fights on the plains.Yellow Bull acted quickly when Chief Joseph was taken prisoner and restrained Lt. Jerome without threatening him or his weapon. Yellow Bull and Chief Joseph continued to work for their tribes. Yellow Bull ended up in Lapwai with his family from a land allotment.
7. Oyema - Wahiltis’s wife (with baby) Wahiltis (Shore Crossing) son of a Salmon River headman named Tipyahlanah Siskan (Eagle Robe), who had been murdered in March 1875 whom a white settler who was building fences on his property and whom he had befriended. Eagle Robe did not want his son to seek revenge. Red Coat Warrior.
8. Wetyetmas Wyakaikt (Swan Necklace) Red Coat warrior from Whitebird’s band, horse handler for Wahiltis and Ippilp.
9. Allalimya Takanin (Chief Looking Glass) - forty- five years old standing 6 feet tall. Proud, muscular, and opinionated, he was one of the tribe’s most respected hunting and war leaders and basked in the prestige he had won by his prowness in a battle against the siox on Pryor’s Fork of the Yellowstone River.
10. Grizzly Bear Youth - scout for colonel Miles part of the Yakima band and brought the message to Looking Glass in the Bitterroot Valley to head north pass throught the Flathead reservation and cross into Canada, only a short distance away, where they could find safety. Broke arm from a bullet to save him from a soldier. Had a vision to raid General Howard’s camp.
11. Hophoponmi Kap Kap ponmi (Noise of Running Water) Chief Joseph’s eldest daughter. Indian Scouts; Young Two Moons & Hump - Northern Cheyenne scout for Col Miles and lead an attack on the Nimi’ipuu people in the Bear’s Paw Mountains.
12. Two Moons helped facilitate a meeting between the Colonel and Chief Joseph and tried to convince Chief Joseph to come out.Young Two Moons allowed Jerome to be captured. Lakota Indian Hump scouts for Col Miles U.S.
Calvary Characters
1. General Oliver Otis Howard - one armed general Howard commanded a brigade in the first two Battle of Bull Run. He went on to command a division in the Fredericksburg and Chancellorvill Battles. He was wounded twice in the Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) where he lost his right arm. Howard continued to full command of the Battle of Gettysburg. His efforts in the command Sherman’s March to the Sea promoted him Major General.
2. Lt. Edward R. Thellar Volunteer in the Civil War.Thellar and his men were entrapped by the Nez Perce people. Thellar’s men were frightened by the horses and mares at Whitebird Creek. Thellar won posthumous notice for his brave and soldierly conduct during the encounters at white Bird Canyon.
3. 1st Lieutenant William Parnell Forty-one-year old Irish immigrant and veteran of European wars. He served in the New York cavalry during the Civil War and gained effective cavalry skills. Parnell was caught in a rocky plateau that caused the soldiers to retreat at White bird Canyon and Parnell managed to maintain order. Parnell helped a 4 year old and baby escape the fires from the Nim’ipuu. Nimi’ipuu let a women go unharmed. Awarded the Medal of Honor in 1897 for his performance at White Bird Canyon. 4. Lt. James H. Bradley Frontier army’s rising star. He enlisted in the Civil War to excel as a officier. He was a literary talent, historian and chronicler. His work as a Gibbon’s chief of scouts in standoff with Custer and Sitting Bull became a record of merit. Cannoneer for gatling gun and howitzer and scout during the Big Hole Battle. Bradley won brevet promotions for his gallant service at the Big Hole.
4. Captain Marcus P. Miller Artillary and promoted to Assistant Adjutant General . Miller was often the messagenger, middle man and first to encounter the enemy. Miller had to pick up supplies for the soldiers. Miller charged the Nez Perce positions at Clearwater and continued to serve int eh army as a distinquished leader.
5. Captain Charles C. Rawn He supervised the construction of Fort Missoula. He felt threatened by the arrival of Nimi’ipuu coming across the trail so asks President Hays for troops. When none were sent he recurited volunteers from Missoula, Butte, Deer Lodge and Flathead. When the Nez Perce crossed the Lolo Trail, he was waiting for them with a barricade. A parley was underways while most of the Nez Perce people just walked away causing many of the volunteers to leave.
6. Governor Benjamin F. Potts of Northwest Territory (Montana) Potts did not want trouble with the Indians and would often use a escort for protection. Potts felt Montana did not have enough support to fight off the indians. Potts regarded indians as hostile. Potts met with Cap Rawn and the Nez Perce as they were parleying for agreement. The place of this encounter is called “Fort Fizzle”. Gov Potts aggressive, proactive and tried to send a proclamation asking for citizens of the territory to help fight the Nez Perce Indians.
7. Srg Harry J. Davis Telegraph Operator He was defending General Howard’s camp when it was taken over by the Nez Perce. Davis also tried to steal the Nez Perce horses with no luck as the horses were warriors as well. Davis never considered himself a hero because he left ammunition in the lava fields as he was running for cover. Davis was a great eyewitness to the encounter at Camas Meadows.
8. Samuel Glass Farrier (blacksmith)
9. Dr. Jenkins A. FitzGerald Surgeon, family man and who truly admired and respected the Nim’ipuu people and could identify their skills the challenges they were facing. FitzGerald was cited for repeated exposure to the fire of the enemy in their humane efforts to extricate and take care of the wounded and awarded gallant service in action awards.
10. Clamity Jane resident of Horse Cache Butte
11. Lieutenant Lovell Jerome Jerome went into the Nez Perce Camp willingly and was held captive but treated well. Jerome was good looking and liked to socialize which ended his military career. Jerome invested in mining interests in Alaska and late became the founder of the Alumni Day at West Point.
12. Col. SturgisSturgis entered the Civil War on the side of the Union with the rank of Captain and due to his skillful leadership earned the rank Lieutenant Colonel. He tried to capture the fleeing Nez Perce in the Absaroka foothills only to be eluded by the chiefs.
13. Colonel Miles During the Civil War he became a colonel and Major General. He served as General Howard’s aide-decamp and became good friends with the General. Miles preferred diplomacy to war in contacts with the native americans but supported the westward movement. In 1876 Colonel Miles was appointed post Commander of the newly constructed Fort Keogh located at the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers. Miles was very ambitious and was always prepared for action. Miles decision to attack at Bear’s Paw was his biggest accomplishment and justified his honor and promotions.
14. Nathan Brown Courier private who delivered messages.Often he sent messages and was the only rider in the middle of a sea of fighting.
15. Major Lewis Merrill Merrill a wide experienced officer. He was in the Civil War, Little Big Horn. He received numerous brevets for his respective performances in conflict. Merrill was very skilled at moving the enemy like during Canyon Creek he drove the warriors to the creek even with his inexperienced and dismounted company.
2. Frog, Ollokot - (Ar-lo-quat) nephew of Chief Joseph’s brother and son of Great Chief Joseph. Ollokot was the complement of Chief Joseph. Younger than Chief Joseph, impetuous, gay, fun loving, daring and a able hunter winning the respect from the bands hunters and braves.
3. Toohoolhoolzote- dreamer medicine man, tall, powerful hunter and warrior. A fiery orator and a proud man whose intense spiritual beliefs caused the whites to regard him as hostile. Rancorous active, restless and unafraid of any white men. The elder of all five tribes and still very strong.
4. Peopeo Tholekt (Bird Alighting) - warrior and spokesperson for Looking Glass and was the one who dismantled the gatling gun and buried it. Peopeo continued to participate in battles and skirmishes.
5. Yellow Wolf - warrior and Chief Joseph’s nephew and warned Chief Joseph that the government wanted all indians in one place. He was part of Chief Joseph’s band and often had to go out and retrieve the dead bodies after an encounter with the U. S. Calvary. Often left with one other Indian to protect the entire group. Often Yellow Wolf could see the message that was presented with the U.S. Cavalry. Since Yellow Wolf was so young his recollections of all the events helped historians record accurately the flight of the Nez Perce.
6.Heinmot Ippilp (Red Thunder) - Red Coat warriorChuslum Moxmox (Yellow Buffalo Bull) Salmon River Indian follower of Whitebird and was the father of Sarpsis Ilppilp, vetern of fights on the plains.Yellow Bull acted quickly when Chief Joseph was taken prisoner and restrained Lt. Jerome without threatening him or his weapon. Yellow Bull and Chief Joseph continued to work for their tribes. Yellow Bull ended up in Lapwai with his family from a land allotment.
7. Oyema - Wahiltis’s wife (with baby) Wahiltis (Shore Crossing) son of a Salmon River headman named Tipyahlanah Siskan (Eagle Robe), who had been murdered in March 1875 whom a white settler who was building fences on his property and whom he had befriended. Eagle Robe did not want his son to seek revenge. Red Coat Warrior.
8. Wetyetmas Wyakaikt (Swan Necklace) Red Coat warrior from Whitebird’s band, horse handler for Wahiltis and Ippilp.
9. Allalimya Takanin (Chief Looking Glass) - forty- five years old standing 6 feet tall. Proud, muscular, and opinionated, he was one of the tribe’s most respected hunting and war leaders and basked in the prestige he had won by his prowness in a battle against the siox on Pryor’s Fork of the Yellowstone River.
10. Grizzly Bear Youth - scout for colonel Miles part of the Yakima band and brought the message to Looking Glass in the Bitterroot Valley to head north pass throught the Flathead reservation and cross into Canada, only a short distance away, where they could find safety. Broke arm from a bullet to save him from a soldier. Had a vision to raid General Howard’s camp.
11. Hophoponmi Kap Kap ponmi (Noise of Running Water) Chief Joseph’s eldest daughter. Indian Scouts; Young Two Moons & Hump - Northern Cheyenne scout for Col Miles and lead an attack on the Nimi’ipuu people in the Bear’s Paw Mountains.
12. Two Moons helped facilitate a meeting between the Colonel and Chief Joseph and tried to convince Chief Joseph to come out.Young Two Moons allowed Jerome to be captured. Lakota Indian Hump scouts for Col Miles U.S.
Calvary Characters
1. General Oliver Otis Howard - one armed general Howard commanded a brigade in the first two Battle of Bull Run. He went on to command a division in the Fredericksburg and Chancellorvill Battles. He was wounded twice in the Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) where he lost his right arm. Howard continued to full command of the Battle of Gettysburg. His efforts in the command Sherman’s March to the Sea promoted him Major General.
2. Lt. Edward R. Thellar Volunteer in the Civil War.Thellar and his men were entrapped by the Nez Perce people. Thellar’s men were frightened by the horses and mares at Whitebird Creek. Thellar won posthumous notice for his brave and soldierly conduct during the encounters at white Bird Canyon.
3. 1st Lieutenant William Parnell Forty-one-year old Irish immigrant and veteran of European wars. He served in the New York cavalry during the Civil War and gained effective cavalry skills. Parnell was caught in a rocky plateau that caused the soldiers to retreat at White bird Canyon and Parnell managed to maintain order. Parnell helped a 4 year old and baby escape the fires from the Nim’ipuu. Nimi’ipuu let a women go unharmed. Awarded the Medal of Honor in 1897 for his performance at White Bird Canyon. 4. Lt. James H. Bradley Frontier army’s rising star. He enlisted in the Civil War to excel as a officier. He was a literary talent, historian and chronicler. His work as a Gibbon’s chief of scouts in standoff with Custer and Sitting Bull became a record of merit. Cannoneer for gatling gun and howitzer and scout during the Big Hole Battle. Bradley won brevet promotions for his gallant service at the Big Hole.
4. Captain Marcus P. Miller Artillary and promoted to Assistant Adjutant General . Miller was often the messagenger, middle man and first to encounter the enemy. Miller had to pick up supplies for the soldiers. Miller charged the Nez Perce positions at Clearwater and continued to serve int eh army as a distinquished leader.
5. Captain Charles C. Rawn He supervised the construction of Fort Missoula. He felt threatened by the arrival of Nimi’ipuu coming across the trail so asks President Hays for troops. When none were sent he recurited volunteers from Missoula, Butte, Deer Lodge and Flathead. When the Nez Perce crossed the Lolo Trail, he was waiting for them with a barricade. A parley was underways while most of the Nez Perce people just walked away causing many of the volunteers to leave.
6. Governor Benjamin F. Potts of Northwest Territory (Montana) Potts did not want trouble with the Indians and would often use a escort for protection. Potts felt Montana did not have enough support to fight off the indians. Potts regarded indians as hostile. Potts met with Cap Rawn and the Nez Perce as they were parleying for agreement. The place of this encounter is called “Fort Fizzle”. Gov Potts aggressive, proactive and tried to send a proclamation asking for citizens of the territory to help fight the Nez Perce Indians.
7. Srg Harry J. Davis Telegraph Operator He was defending General Howard’s camp when it was taken over by the Nez Perce. Davis also tried to steal the Nez Perce horses with no luck as the horses were warriors as well. Davis never considered himself a hero because he left ammunition in the lava fields as he was running for cover. Davis was a great eyewitness to the encounter at Camas Meadows.
8. Samuel Glass Farrier (blacksmith)
9. Dr. Jenkins A. FitzGerald Surgeon, family man and who truly admired and respected the Nim’ipuu people and could identify their skills the challenges they were facing. FitzGerald was cited for repeated exposure to the fire of the enemy in their humane efforts to extricate and take care of the wounded and awarded gallant service in action awards.
10. Clamity Jane resident of Horse Cache Butte
11. Lieutenant Lovell Jerome Jerome went into the Nez Perce Camp willingly and was held captive but treated well. Jerome was good looking and liked to socialize which ended his military career. Jerome invested in mining interests in Alaska and late became the founder of the Alumni Day at West Point.
12. Col. SturgisSturgis entered the Civil War on the side of the Union with the rank of Captain and due to his skillful leadership earned the rank Lieutenant Colonel. He tried to capture the fleeing Nez Perce in the Absaroka foothills only to be eluded by the chiefs.
13. Colonel Miles During the Civil War he became a colonel and Major General. He served as General Howard’s aide-decamp and became good friends with the General. Miles preferred diplomacy to war in contacts with the native americans but supported the westward movement. In 1876 Colonel Miles was appointed post Commander of the newly constructed Fort Keogh located at the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers. Miles was very ambitious and was always prepared for action. Miles decision to attack at Bear’s Paw was his biggest accomplishment and justified his honor and promotions.
14. Nathan Brown Courier private who delivered messages.Often he sent messages and was the only rider in the middle of a sea of fighting.
15. Major Lewis Merrill Merrill a wide experienced officer. He was in the Civil War, Little Big Horn. He received numerous brevets for his respective performances in conflict. Merrill was very skilled at moving the enemy like during Canyon Creek he drove the warriors to the creek even with his inexperienced and dismounted company.