All the battles take place as a re enactment play with the students performing using interactive smartboard presentation to the entire class. The Smart Board Presentations include actual photos of the battlefields,  actual quotes and actions of the people, maps which resemble the students’ copies involved with each battle in their Sacred Trails Booklets. Two days before the Battle,  the main characters practice their parts, posture and  prepared to perform without scripts to the classroom. This generally takes two class period and possibly practice as homework. The Smart Board Presentation, which are previously prepared by teacher include setting, war tactics, actual photos of the people  and the maps incorporated. Each encounter usually represents the encounters that the Nimi’ipuu & Four Bands had during the flight in the summer of 1877. Some battles include more than five characters demonstrated, therefore the Smart Board can have several new pages to accommodate the number of encounters.  The characters from each side of the battle stand on their respective sides of the Smart Board presentation. The Nimii’puu were often decorated in red coats, and when they encouraged battle they would hold up a red blanket,  therefore they will shake the interactive smartboard red dice. The U.S. Government was often decorated in blue uniforms therefore they will shake the interactive smartboard blue dice. If any one of the two characters roll a 1 they win that segment of  the battle. If they roll a 5 on the dice they die in the simulated battle.  If they roll a 3 the character is prisoner. If the student rolls a four  they withdraw from the battle. If a six is rolled the character is injured. Sometimes the dice do not reveal the true aftermath of the battle and when that happens, very rarely, I have to interrupt the presentation and explain that is not accurate to the events of the battle. Conceptual understanding of the intricate military tactics increases when students revisit the battle in a fun, interactive electronic format.  After the Smart Board Presentation of the Battle,  the students whose characters  were in the battle, take their scripts, research and notes and record the events as a podcast presentation. The rest of the students write a reaction based from the viewpoint of their Simulation Character. For instance how would the settler of Whitebird Creek feel about losing one of their people to a young Nim’iipuu teen avenger and then after the U. S. Troops were sent him they were driven to retreat.

Battle of Whitebird                                                               June 17, 18774 smartboard encounters

Setting Whitebird Canyon in Idaho
U.S. Forces
Brigadier General Oliver O. Howard - Commander of the Department of the Columbia, Lead of the Nez Perce campaign, one armed
Lieutenant  Edward R. Theller - 21st Infantry Volunteer
Arthur Chapman - volunteer, shot the fire   *Trumpeter needs to be a second role
Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Ollokot Chief Joseph’s brother, Nimi’ipuu Warrior of Leader of the Young Warriors
Two Moons WarriorYellow Wolf Warrior

Narrator: Following the council at Fort Lapwai with General Howard the Nimi’ipuu and the Four Bands started gathering their livestock from their home to prepare to move to the reservation. General Howard and his troops with Lt. Thellar & 1st Lt Parnell are stationed at Fort Lapwai with the arrival of the Nimi’ipuu People. Captain Whipple was stationed at Wallowa and watched as the Nimi’ipuu were corralling their cattle and horses and other things.

Lt. Thellar::  Quiet peace reign. Joseph has put his pride in his pocket and is now I hear crossing his stock and coming in.

Gen. Howard : Twenty times over you repeat that the earth is your mother, and about the chieftainship of the earth. Let us hear it no more, but come to business at once.

Yellow Wolf:: In peace councils, force must not be talked. It was the same as showing us the rifle.

Narrator: June 14, Gen Howard receives a letter from the community of Mount Idaho as the citizens were getting suspicious with all the tribesman gathering. At daybreak on June 17, 1877 scouts for the Nimiipuu discovered Captain Perry and his column moving deep in the canyon. Captain Perry sent Lieutenant Edward Theller and eight men to scout ahead of the column. The Nimiipuu sent a peace party waving a white flag, to meet Lt Teller with strict instruction NOT to FIRE unless fired upon. Peace. For some reason a Arthur Chapman opened fire on the peace party started what is known today as the Nez Perce War.

Yellow Wolf: - When the white soldier (Chapman) got closer, he fired across at us. Then the soldiers started shooting.

Narrator: That was how the battle started.Chapman made the first two shots

Smartboard Dice Encounter 1.  Theller, Parnell and Chapman vs Yellow Wolf
Result: Theller, Parnell, Chapman & Yellow Wolf unharmed Yellow Wolf - wins encounter

Yellow Wolf:  (howling like a wolf) ooooooouuuuuuuuuu!

1st Lt. Parnell: During our halt one of the men in “F” Company struck a match to light this pipe.....Almost immediately after lighting his match I heard the howl of a ‘coyote’ but noticed the last note of the howl was different than anything I had ever heard before. I thought then I think still, it was one of the Indians on picket.

Yellow Wolf - Soon came lighter sun. I raised up and looked North. Something seemed moving away up country. I watched closely. Yes, there came the soldiers a good distance off. We all lay flat and watched.


Smartboard Dice Encounter 2 Lt Theller, Trumpeter vs Ollokot, Two Moons
Result: Perry withdraws , Ollokot and Two Moons - win,  Unharmed, Trumpeter dead

Lt. Thellar:  I heard the shout and formed a skirmish line and moved forward. The volunteers led by George Shearer also heard the shot and headed for the village, where they received heavy fire from the Nimiipuu which sent them back toward the knoll running out of control.

Narrator: These actions sent Lt. Thellar men into a frenzy causing them to flee. Since the trumpeter was dead, Lt. Thellar had no way to communicate with his troops. The terrain offered a huge disadvantage to Company H and Company F, they could not  form a solid line.

Yellow Wolf : The warriors charging up the west canyon struck that flank hard. Hanging on the side of their horses were not seen, they gave the horses a storm of bullets. Warriors dismounted, and from hiding dropped soldiers from their saddles.

Lt. Theller : I took in the situation at a glance; that the ridge I was on was the most defensible position in that vicinity. I accordingly dismounted my troop and deployed on the ridge, sending my horses into the valley......” All the while, Perry Trimble and Parnell tried desperately to maintain order in the retreating command.

Narrator: Perry appealed to Theller to control the men and he quickly assembled a body of men to orderly proceed with a withdrawal. Theller lost control and retreated up the trail.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 3 Theller vs.  Yellow Wolf
Result: Theller and seven other soldiers killed.

Narrator: The Nimiipuu used the terrain to give them an advantage and sent horses stampeding up the hill to both companies. Company H and F now suffered many wounded and killed soldiers and were forced to retreat. Captain Perry had lost thirty-four men and two volunteers were wounded. None of the the dead soldiers were scalped mutilated or disrespected.

1st Lt. Parnell - I saw it would be suicidal to attempt to reach the bluffs.  The Indians were all the time pressing us in front and flank and from this time, getting around in our rear. Lt Theller:  (Company H) - After taking position, I discovered and it was reported to me, that the Indians were moving around on our right and driving stock.......I cautioned the men to remain steady as they were....

Yellow Wolf: We chased the remaining soldiers. Fought them running for several miles. We drove them back across the mountain, down to near the town they came from.

Narrator: General Howard sends a note - Be prepared to follow up a success from us by intercepting and obstructing trails toward little Salmon.The Battle plays out Result: Theller and seven other soldiers killed. Smartboard Dice Encounter 4 Trimble vs  Ollokot and Rainbow Result: None are injured or killed Narrator: The troops made plans to cross the raging river above the mouth of White Bird Creek. Nimi’ipuu raised their red blanket, meaning come and fight. Some of the troops crossed and General Howard and his immediate troops camped for the evening and took care of the 33 dead. None of the Nimi’ipuu were killed only a few wounded. Narrator: The Nimiipuu had only three wounded which resulted in their victory. They managed to collect sixty-three rifles and large number of pistols.  Thirty-four  U.S. Calvary men killed and two wounded. Looking Glass’s Village was attacked by volunteers at his camp and this forces Looking Glass to join the non treaty Nimi’ipuu to evade and escape the soldiers. No U.S. casualties, 3 Nimi’ipuu killed, one man due to wounds and a woman and child drowned.

Battle of Clearwater                                                       July 11, & 12, 18774 smartboard encounters

Setting - South Fork of the Clearwater River

U.S. Forces Captain Marcus Miller- 4th Artillery Gatling Cannoneer Howitzer Cannoneer

Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Chief Joseph Chief of the Nimi’ipuuYellow Wolf
WarriorHeinmot Ilppilp Warrior

Narrator: General Howard orders the howitzer to the bluff known as Misery Hill, north of what today is called Stites. The howitzer fired several times but was too far away from the camp. General Howard then relocated the howitzer while adding 2 gatling guns and ordered Miller and Trimble to reconnoiter down the river.

Capt Miller:   It is our honor of Company H to lead the advance guard to the camp. We will have 6 mounted troopers.They came across a small group of horses which were identified as stolen. Deploy skirmish!

Smartboard Dice Encounter 1. , Miller  and Cannoneer Gatling, vs Toohoolholzote
Result: none killed, wounded or taken prision

Narrator: Behind the left of the column shots fired Trimble and Miller and the Gatling guns and howlitzer as they engage with the  Nimi’ipuu warriors Ollokot and Rainbow (This would be the first encounter on the whiteboard, each person shakes interactive dice one time only) Result: no killed, or wounded, or taken prision

Narrator: The Nimi’ipuu people were confronted by Miller’s  troops in a surprise attack. Toohoolhoolzote rode up river to attack the troops.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 2. Soldiers vs Toohoolhoolzote travelling up the bluff encounters two soldiers.
Result:: both soldiers die, Toohoolhoolzote is safe

Narrator: All the warriors move the families from the camp quickly,Ollokot and Rainbow lead the warriors to keep the defense line strong. Sergeant McCarthy could not believe the skills of the Nimi’ipuu people.

Cannoneer Bradley:  The charges were made in regular daredevil style, nothing sneaking about it. They are brave men, and face a terrific fire of musketry, gatling guns, and howitzers. Narrator: With all the artillery, the warriors were able to kill or wound four of the howitzer battery.

Capt. Miller: That party had to cross grounds seen to be exposed to severe fire from the Indians- but the men went bravely on. Two were wounded by getting there.

Narrator: This is when most of the casualties occurred as the soldiers were so exposed. Howard ordered Miller to take ridge on foot.


Capt. Miller- Men , get up and go for them, if we don’t do something they will kill us all. Narrator: The firing continued and Miller’s men drove the Nimi’ipuu down the canyon.At this point with so much firing the soldiers were literally firing upon themselves until 1st Lieutenant Parnell demanded  a Cease Fire.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 3  Cannoneer Bradley & Miller vs Yellow Wolf & Red Thunder encounter each other on ravine
Result: Nim’iuu women and children injured

Narrator: At this point the Nimi’ipuu are instructed to only shoot officers. During the battle that lasted all day, Howard’s Nez Perce scout deserted the troops.

Yellow Wolf: Indians and soldiers fighting almost together. We could not count the soldiers. There must have been hundreds. Bullets came thicker and thicker.

Chief Joseph:  I must rush ahead of all of you and warn our people of the impending attack.

Cannoneer Bradley: We will support Miller at the Spring to drive the warriors away.

Narrator: The Nimi’ipuu leader sang the war song to all the  the warriors, his voice rising above the tumult (violent disturbance of the mind) and continuing his song for an hour. The entire camp moved across the river but left all of their supplies.Capt. Miller: the female voice could be detected in a plaintive wail of mourning.

Red Thunder: Hear the women cry, we must fight for our people and their tears. Get them to safety!

Smartboard Dice Encounter 4  Miller vs Yellow Wolf & Red Thunder Result: Red Thunder gets wounded  and dies, Miller and Yellow Wolf have no injuries

Narrator: As the pursuit headed upstream Captain Perry held the line with Trimble and Whipple. Howard call off the pursuit as it was too hard to cross the river.The troops camped at the abandoned Nimi’ipuu Camp where the used all of the supplies left. U.S. Troops suffered 13 deaths and 27 injuries. Nimi’ipuu have 4 killed and 6 wounded so they win the Battle. Narrator: Since the U.S. Calvary ran the Nim’ipuu out of their camp and controlled the field they earned the victory event with 12 casualties, and 25 wounded. The Nim’ipuu had 4 casualties and 6 wounded but lost their camp, stock and supplies.


Battle of the Big Hole                                               August 9, & 10, 1877
3 smart board battles
U.S. Forces Governor Benjamin Potts - Governor of Montana, sents proclamations
Captain Charles Rawn -  company built Fort Missoula, passive leader, withdraws
Holwitzer Cannoner Lt. James Bradley - died

Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Swan Necklace - Warrior, survived
Wahlitis - Warrior, died
Oyema Wife of Wahlitis with child - Wife of Warrior, died after shooting her husband’s killer

Narrator: After the Fort Fizzle encounter the Nimi’ipuu believed that Montana offered them security and peace. The people of the Bitterroot accomodated them in the past when  travelling through. On the evening after the passage through the Bitterroot Valley, a council was convened and  leaders were in disagreement about what direction to go. They could go back north to Missoula and into the Flathead area and then into Canada, or up through the Blackfoot River to Canada, or follow the the Big Hole River to Yellowstone River and into  Crow territory.

Chief Joseph: Since we have left our country, it matters little where we go.

Wahlitis: If we go to the Crows, we must all go. Whitebird urges us to be united.

Governor Potts:   I proclaim to all of those citizens of this territory to volunteer to fight off the Indians. It is your duty living here in this great place.

Narrator: The War Department however denied Governor Potts the power to recruit the people.  As the Nimi’ipuu  travelled to the Big Hole River they stopped at the sacred Medicine Tree, which is a very spiritual place for many area tribes. The tribes offered prayers and gifts in a traditional homage tradition to the tree. This tree is located in what today is Darby, Montana. Further up the valley Toohoolhoolzote and some young men ransacked a rancher home taking coffee and floor and other lesser items. Looking Glass demanded that they leave seven horses in payment.

Yellow Bull: From the friendly talks we  had with the soldiers in Lolo Pass, we did not suppose there would be any more fighting, especially if we did not disturb the settlers, and we had not molested them.

Narrator: The Nimi’ipu ‘space was a slow and relaxed pace of about 15 miles per day. The Fort Fizzle incident with Rawn became a mockery to the U.S. , so the leadership; under Gibbons had to make it clear that even though some of the Nim’ipuu people were peaceful do not hesitate to fire. Gibbons was within close range and strategized that they could double the miles of the Nimi’ipuu and fight them from all sides. The problem was time. Gibbons dispatched Bradley and his troops to move ahead of the tribesmen. Lt. Bradley - As our impatience to get forward increased, the difficulties of the route seemed to redouble. Again and again we recrossed the creek into the glades on each side, struggling through thick timber and swamps which our wagon-wheels sunk to the hub.Narrator: All through the night Gibbons, Woodruff and Bradley moved closer in on the Nimi’ipuu camp. Captain Rawn and his troops were close behind the Nimi’ipuu people, however Looking Glass did not have rear guards to keep an eye on their last paths. The Nimi’ipuu also with their strong code of ethics convinced them that nobody would attack a hungry and unprotected village. The daytime was used to collect wood for travois and hunting.  They had 98 lodges set up in a V- shape near the river. That night the Nimi’ipuu held a ceremonial dance. The surrounding of the camp had willow patches and sloughs. The tribesman seen one of Bradley’s men but were not alarmed. All through the night Gibbons, Woodruff and Bradley moved closer in on the Nimi’ipuu camp. At 4:00 am Gibbons ordered the advance to the camp. The advance quickened and Bradley, Comb and Sanno forged through the underbrush.  At dawn the troops rode into the camp and open fired on helpless Nimi’ipuu warriors sleeping with their families. Many Nimi’ipuu woke and attacked with what means they could.

Civilian Soldier: We had orders to fire low into the teepees. All men women and children took part in the fight with hand to hand contact.

Bradley: They were a little dazed and nervous from the shock of surprise.

Chief Joseph: These soldiers came on rapidly, they mixed up part of our village. I now say teepees on fire. I grew hot with anger. Women, Children and old men who could not fight were in those teepees.

Narrator: The shooting escalated, the horse herds were scattered and then seemed to join the warrior is battle. The Nimi’ipuu counter attacked from every direction. Women and children scattered in panomonia.

Springtime: Run children to safety away from this horrid place! Joseph take this gun and fight!

Bradley:  There was so much brush and high bluffs that we couldn’t occupy all tha place at once.

Narrator: Rawn headed up a skirmish in the brush and once again the men grew skittish and wanted to run until Gibbons restored order. Oyema and other mothers were up early preparing before the warriors and children rose to get the things ready for the day when they were heading down to get water when they encountered the open gunfire.

Springtime - No!!! Oh Great Creator what have we done to deserve this. Oyema, run and take the children to the bushes and water, Run!

Smartboard Dice Encounter 1 Rawn, Bradley,  vs Wahlitis (Shore Crossing) & Wife of Wahlitis, Oyema (woman), Springtime (Chief Joseph’s wife Rawn withdraws.  
Result Bradley is killed and Volunteer Soldier survives. Wahilits, Wife of Wahlitis, Oyema, Springtime dies.

Narrator: In the immediate attack Wahlitis fired upon the enemy and his wife came to his aid and she was great with baby. As he lie in her arms, she grabs a rifle and kills her husband avenger. Then he in reaction killed her.
About 21/2 hours after the battle began and under the rain the most of the Nimi’ipuu people  and the firing abandoned the village.

Bradley:  - Don’t run men, or I will stay right here alone as Captain Rawn withdrew from the battle.

Narrator: Gibbons and Woodruff are both wounded and Gibbons horse killed. Springtime:  Fight great people fight for our land and our people and the Creator!Wahiltis: -  Turn face to the enemy and drive them to the village and fight. Fight for our women, children and elders.

Oyema: - This has to stop all this killing and all this hatred must stop now! why are they firing on sleeping families.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 2  Bradley , Rawn vs. Looking Glass, Red Swan Necklace.
Result: Rawn wounded and withdrews from battle both horses dead, Looking Glass, Red Moccasin Top and Swan Necklace survived unharmed.

Swan Neclace:  This is battle! These men are not asleep as were those you murdered in Idaho! Now is the time to show your courage and fight!

Narrator: The Howitzer fired several rounds above Gibbons defensive position. The warriors moved in to take the howitzer and the five soldiers. They were successful at taking over the howitzer and its firing squad.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 3    Abandoned Howitzer  vs. Peopeo Tholekt (Bird Alightning)

Bird Alightening - Peopeo Tholekt - They left me with the cannon. I tried to drag the wagon carriage along, but soon got stuck in a rock. I then unscrewed the wheels, taking them off the spindles. I took the gun from its resting, rolled it down a steep bluff, where I buried [hid] it.

Narrator: The Nimi’ipuu set the grass on fire to smoke the troops out. The fighting continued throughout the day and into the evening. So many Nimi’ipuu dead and the people were crying, wailing and horrified at the massacre before them.

Bird Alightening (Peopeo Tholekt) : Fight for the women and children!.......Now is our time. Fight , It is better we should be killed fighting. Narrator: The warriors with sporadic shooting, stayed to bury the dead while the people moved east. The ammunition on both sides was running low and the troops as well as the bands were thirsty and hungry. Gibbon’s dead horse was offered to the soldiers for food but there were not many takers. The battle one of the most desperate engagement on record became famous. Within 24 hours with the arrival of more troops with Sutherland the Nimi’ipuu felt fighting was a futile attempt so on August 10, the Nimi’ipuu fired a two-volley salvo and withdrew from the battle to meet up with their tribe. The attack was devastating to five bands as every member lost a member of their family. There were 123 dead and many wounded. The U.S. Troop never expected such  a fight  from an early morning attack but  also suffered,  they  had 25 dead and 34 wounded therefore earned the victory of the Battle of Big Hole. The Nimi’ipuu suffered 26 dead including women and children 11 wounded including women and children.


Battle of Camas Meadows                                          August 20(Attack of General Howard’s Camp)
Setting: Camas Meadows Attack on Gen Howard’s Camp
U.S. Forces
The telegraph machine and operator Sergeant  Harry J. Davis - Company B
Brigadier General Oliver O. Howard - Commander of the Department of the Columbia, Lead of the Nez Perce campaign, one armed
Bugular Brooks

Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Looking Glass War Chief and
Warrior Peopeo Tholekt dismantles the Howitzer cannon
Toohoolhoolzote spiritual leader, loud Grizzly Bear Youth

Narrator: The eastern valley plain was a mix of desert and intermittent wetland . On the Montana side there were forms of basalt - lava outcroppings left from the volcanic activity one-half million years earlier. Camas Meadows named after the bluish flower was low and lush grassy green scattered throughout the basalt fields. Camas meadows is watered by a network of streams which include Camas Creek and Spring Creek. The present day location of Kilgore Idaho, is close to where the two creek runs parallel to each other. General Howard used the area to rest the men of three companies and wait for Norwood and his troops. The lush grazing allowed rewards for the men and animals.

Sgt.  Davis: With only a small portion of the men fishing,  we have enough to feed the entire command. Narrator: Howard carefully set up camp to outsmart the enemy.  The Howard's  head quarters would be on an elevated ground that overlooks the meadows towards the west and the lava-beds towards the north east. The other cavalry would be lower with the horses and the volunteer below the horses, The horses and mules were caged, tied to picket ropes with legs tied together, all behind wagons for protection. Twenty- one pickets were set up around camp. The soldiers felt secure and slept well that evening as the rain fell.  On August 19th,  Gen. Howard -  At our camp, I took the lava knolls, from my tent I could see the parallel streams. The other companies of cavalry covered all approaches to my own, the central position, which was upon a comparatively high lava pile, that , studded with bushes, constituted our castle like defense.

Toohoolhoolzote: I had a vision and dream of a raid!Grizzly Bear Youth - I also had a vision of pending danger. Listen we must be on the alert!

Narrator: Looking Glass was the main war chief and he  ignored the dreams and visions.

Peopeo Tholekt: If we only figure a way to slow down General Howard until we reached the Crows.

Looking Glass: Without any fighting, we could easily in early morning, raid the one armed General of his horses and mules so he would not be on our heels, thus honoring Chief Joseph of NO BLOOD SHED.  

Smartboard Dice Encounter 1  General Howard,  Davis vs. Looking Glass & Toohoolhoolzote
Result: All unharmed

Looking Glass:  We know American horses are afraid of Indians, make all the noise you possibly can, as by so doing, may be able to stampede the whole herd at once. Yellow Wolf cut the horses free which ended up being mostly mules.

Narrator: With the commotion of mules being let loose a couple of shots were fired by the pickets and alarmed the slumbering troops and opened the command for the warriors. Soldiers were running to General Howard’s tent and to the creeks for cover.

Sgt. Davis: White Men, Don’t Shoot, Wake up we are on the attack

!Looking Glass:  (screaming and goading the horses at the top) shoooooooe, shooooe

Toohoolhoolzote:  Horses, our untrained warriors, we need you now to help fight our enemy.

Narrator: The shots fired for several hours. At daylight Major Sanford was organized to pursue the raiders and recover the stock. The Nimi’ipuu then travelling north with the mules stampeding in the same direction. General Howard ordered three companies headed by Norwood, Carr and Jackson to follow. Stanford’s cavalry reached the end of the herd and they managed to recover a few. This type of pressure for the raiding party caused them to divert their tactics and direction. The result of the first encounter no body was injured but the mules were in a uproar.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 2   Sgt Davis  vs. Peopeo Tholekt  & Looking Glass
Result : Sgt Davis died, Peopeo Tholekt  & Looking Glass  injured

Narrator: The Nimi’ipuu warriors formed a thin skirmish line across the meadows. A natural landscape, a lava escarpment at least ten feet high became a barrier to Stanford’s company.

General Howard:  I fortunately dismounted my men under cover of a small ridge of lava and deployed them for action. The order was given to withdraw. My flanks were exposed by the withdrawal of Captain Carr. He had received orders to withdraw. If I had obeyed, my company would have been slaughtered.

Narrator - It was a race to the thicket and something never to be forgotten for a cavalryman is not trained for a five hundred yard sprint ; luck was with us however, and no man was hit in the mad race for safety

Trumpeter Sgt Davis (blew the “recall” alerting the soldiers of their position.)

Narrator: This area that was occupied by Norwood’s command was known as the “frying pan” a basin with a cover  of cottonwoods to protect horses. When the warriors heard the call they scattered for cover behind the bluffs and rocks.

Peopeo Tholekt:  A bullet clipped my head and ended up at the bottom of the bluff with rock bruises. Not feeling to do more fighting, I recovered my gun and went to where I had left my horse.
Narrator: The fighting did not last long.

Peopeo Tholekt: - Lets kill the General and his officers!

 Looking Glass - I will not allow any of you to kill the General, remember we just want to slow him down.

Narrator: Twenty five mules and horses were recovered. Jackson’s troops were getting flanked by the warriors and bugular Brooks died to a bullet wound to the heart. Jackson dismounted among the skirmish and recovered Brook’s body. Within 20 minutes Carr and Jackson withdrew the position and returned to the horse holders. Norwood did NOT obey orders to withdraw otherwise he would have lost his whole company so he took a position on elevated ground to cover the rear.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 4  Telegraph Messages between Sherman and Howard
Result Gen Howard's ego tarnished

By 9:30 seven hours later the fighting was over. Howard was reluctant to send any more soldiers to retrieve the livestock, but he continued with the Bannock scouts watching the movement of the bands of tribes. Howard moved northeast along the Henry’s Fork or the north fork of the Snake River entering into Targhee Pass where he rested him men and sent numerous telegrams to watch for the Nimi’ipuu and other bands as they were travelling in buffalo country. To Sherman Howard’s superior he wrote in the telegram that: “ His command is so much worn by over fatigue and jaded animals that I cannot push it much farther.Telegrams -Sherman responded: “ If you are tired, give the command to some young officer.!”Howard responded to what he felt was a reprimand: “You misunderstood me. I never flag. It was the command including the most energetic young officers , that were worn out and weary by a most extraordinary march. You need not fear for the campaign. Neither you nor General McDowell can doubt my pluck and energy...... We move in the morning and will continue to the end.#The Nimi’ipuu proved a victory as no Nimi’ipuu was badly hurt only one or two grazed by bullet. Bugler Bernard Brooks was killed and about eight  soldiers suffered wounds including Srg Davis and 100 head of mules and volunteer horses were taken.



Battle at Canyon Creek with the Crows                               September 13
3 smartboard battles
Setting: Tepahlewam Wakuspah (Place Similar to the Split Rocks at Tolo Lake)  

U.S. Forces Col Sturgis - Captain Frederick W. Benteen - Company H, 7th Cavalry ambitious, energetic
Major Lewis Merrill - 3 Companies F, I & l halt
Nathan Brown (Courier)
Samuel A Glass Farrier (blacksmith)
Srg Davis - telegraph operator Nuetral

* Audience member
Martha Jane (Clamatiy Jane)
Young Two Moons Northern Cheyenne Scout  Scouts
Doctor Fitzgerald
Teeto Hoonnod - Warrior singlehandedly holds the troops to allow the troops to escape
Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Yellow Wolf - helped Teeto Hoonrod hold the troops to allow the women and children to slip into the canyon
Yellow Bull - Warrior
Animal Entering a Hole - Warrior, wounded on the left hip


Props: pony brooms, telegraph demonstration through the Smartboard Presentation

Narrator: More troops about 11 companies from all over the area were ordered to help in the campaign. This was known as the Wind River Expedition. Crook from the south came and he was to take the route of Wind River. Merritt and Hare joined in the pursuit heading up the Yellowstone.

Courier - (Riding horse around and around to find Sturgis, with no luck)     Message for Sturgis from General Howard     Where are you? The Four Bands with the Nimi’ipuu are on Crandall Creek!

Narrator: Colonel Sturgis and about 400 cavalry men and two howitzers were bearing down on the Nimi’ipuu People but some distance behind them. Major Merrill battalion and Lt Wilkinson would move south west of the canyon. Several of Fisher’s men killed several Nimi’ipuu and one of them was scalped, however General Howard had no knowledge of it.

Courier Brown - (horseman with a message from General Howard to Sturgis) - Message for Sturgis where are you?  and What are you doing?   

Message from General Howard- I fall behind the enemy, but you are in the front and you must stop them before they reach The Yellowstone River.

Narrator: The couriers however never reached Sturgis. Finally Sturgis and Howard meet up and were disgusted with being outsmarted again with Nimi’ipuu and Four Bands travelling right past them. They agree that Sturgis would drive in hard with support from Lt. Otis -two mule howitzer, Fletcher, Bendire and Sanford and take the Nimi’ipuu band. Howard and Sturgis dispatched Colonel Miles at the Tongue River cantonment  explaining ….....

.Telegram  Message - Date : September 12 It is with regret that we inform you that the Nimi’ipuu and Four Bands of people have managed to get past my and Sturgis’ movements after crossing the Yellowstone River. Make every effort in your power to prevent the escape of these hostile band should Sturgis fail to halt them, and at least hold them in check until I can overtake them.

Narrator: On September 13, several warriors rose early to forage for some food and lately that meant ransacking people’s homes. The Canyon Creek area just west of the Yellowstone Valley was chosen by the Nimi’ipuu people for its canyon trails, uneven plateaus and the rolling hills as the troops. Strategically, the camp could conceal their next move and  Nimi’ipuu sharpshooters were ready to meet the enemy  from all directions on the highest buttes .

Smartboard Dice Encounter 1 Courier Brown, Merrill  vs. Animal Entering the Hole, Eeahlokoon &  Looking Glass Result:: Courier dead Animal Entering a Hole wounded (left hip) all others survive

Capt Benteen:  I think it desirable that as much force as possible be brought to bear against the Nez Perces, with a view to striking a decisive blow and bringing them into complete subjection to the Government.

Maj. Merrill:  They will kill everybody who falls into their hands now in order to  prevent the news of the movement from being known to those in front. We must keep moving.

Samuel Glass  – We had nothing to eat, so we merely drew our belts one hole tighter, took a drink of water, threw the saddles on our horses and hit the trail for 7 hours.

Narrator: They rode for another 8 hours totally 60 miles that day. They camped and were only 6 miles to the Nimi’ipuu. The chiefs of the Nimi’ipuu had to cogitate what to do since the Crows had not supported them and they were in a dire situation with rest, food and motivation. Old Lady’s Country looked and seemed more inviting, but  the entire band was getting unpredictable Sturgis and his men are ready to give up as they were tired, hungry and weary. A Norther Cheyenne  scout sees the Nimi’ipuu and rides for hours to report to Sturgis.

Young Two Moons:  Warriors three miles south of the Crandell Creek.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 2  Sturgis, Merrill & Benteen vs. Eeahlokoon &  Looking Glass
Result : none killed Eeahlokoon wounded right

Narrator: Nimi’ipuu warriors were heading right toward Sturgis and his men. Sturgis was frightened but sounded “To Horse” and the command set out on a trot. Merrill ‘s men pushed the warriors toward the creek. Winds picked up slowing all firing. Young Two Moons:  Nimi’ipuu ahead camping, but warriors heading this way. About fifty warriors.

Col. Sturgis : Sound “To horse”

Narrator: Firing started and brought the troops to a halt. Merrill & Fisher’s men headed up the ridge to find themselves in front of the warriors “hot place” where the dismounted instead of charging. Cap. Benteen:  Move quickly out of the hot placeMaj. Merrill: The farther edge of the plateau being taken, with  ravines and gulches, in which the Indians were taking shelter to dispute progress toward the cannon’s mouth. Cap. Benteen: (complaining) Instead of charging which should have been done , the cavalrymen dismounted about five hundred yards from the enemy’s lines, deploying to the right and left, and opened a very rapid fire. Narrator: Merrill ‘s company  pushed the warriors toward the creek. Winds picked up slowing all firing. The warriors stayed on their horses and could maneuver easily through treacherous bullets.

Cap. Benteen: The warriors fought entirely on horseback, firing mostly from their animals and at long range, doing but little harm. The ponies became Sturgis’s objective to stop the Nimi’ipuu movement and protection.

Narrator: Chief Looking Glass formed a rear guard to stop the troops as they moved through the canyon. Benteen and his men were on a buffalo trail just north of the Laurel in the front of the Nimi’ipuu. Benteen followed his route until Horse Cache Butte, which his men were fired upon and dropped from their saddles as they were traveling the trail.The counter attack came as Merrill pushed ahead on foot to meet the Nimi’ipuu at the mouth of the canyon.

Cap. Benteen: Here the hardest fighting was done, the hostiles having the advantage of be concealed behind the rocks and timber while we were on the open grassy bottom.

Yellow Wolf :I saw soldiers near, and across the valley from us. The traveling camp had nearly been surprised. Soldiers on foot- hundreds of them. I whipped my horse to his best, getting away from the danger.

Teeto Hoonnod ( warned Yellow Wolf) Get away!  as I am drawing fire or Join me in the fight!

Narrator: They tried to get the women and children, the warriors were too quick. Sturgis tried to clear the heights as to get advantage over the shooting. Benteen circled Horse Cache Butte to the south side where they encountered  the sharpshooters above them. Benteen and Captain French continued and spurred the horses to the top of the butte. When the troops reached the top the warriors were gone. Merrill’s company continued to surge far into the canyon but then their only choice was to get out. Captain Bell’s company were ordered to mount in columns of four to secure lodging which was foolish.Eeahlokoon:  There a five times as many as before and in all directions.Merrill:   Banteen’s movements were executed with great promptness and vigor, gallantly driving the enemy before him all the way to and beyond the creek. Narrator: This in addition to other events like exhaustion, un-mounting soldiers, and Merrill’s halt was a huge advantage for the Nimi’ipuu & Four Bands. The Crows not supporting the Nimi’ipuu stole at least 400 horses with the encounter, but also took every item they could get their hands on from the U.S. Troops.   Yellow Wolf and Teeto Hoonnod fought off the troops until all people were safely in the canyon (today called Calamity Jane Horse Cache Butte)


Smartboard Dice Encounter 3  Merrill, Benteen & Sturgis vs Yellow Wolf & Teeto Hoonnod
Result: All survive unharmed the terrain won as the battle ended after 5 ½ - 6 hours.

Cap. Benteen: The terrain is physically impossible, unscalable for even a goat!

Narrator: Wilkinsons covering gunfire proved ineffective because the warriors were well hidden behind overhanging rocks.Narrator: Merrill ‘s company continued to surge far into the canyon but then their only choice was to get out. Captain Bell’s company was ordered to mount in columns of four to secure lodging which was foolish.   The Nimi’ipuu could not counter-attack as the land was so steep, so they proceeded to leave. The battle lasted about 6 hours and upon close of the encounter Sturgis knew he could not follow the Nimi’ipuu on rugged canyon trail in the dark so he set up camp at Canyon Creek and waited for supplies and support. He also set up a field hospital which was raided by the Crows when the soldiers were fighting.


Doctor Fitzgerald:  The Nez Perce are good people and very much abused by our pin-head government officials. Poor Nez Perce! I am actually beginning to admire their bravery and endurance in the face of the so many well equipped enemies.

Martha Jane - (Calamity Jane- Cannary, who lived in a dugout near Horse Cache Butte) I will accompany the injured downstream as a nurse. The remaining seven reached the Tongue River four days later where they were hospitalized.

Col. Sturgis - The men were literally shot to pieces, but no time or effort expended in fixing or cleaning them up in any manner, but they were put into the trench with spurs, belts or other wearing apparel upon them. An officer conducted a service and a shot was fired over the graves.

Telegram: To Superiors From: Sturgis  and telegraphed it to his superiors We had a hard fight with the Nez Perce lasting all day and the men dead were literally shot to pieces. We killed many Nez Perce total not available now and captured livestock.

Narrator: This particular attack was not as threatening to the Nimi’ipuu because some of the Nimi’ipuu were packed up and already in the canyon. Three soldiers were dead and 11 of the men were wounded and 41 horses were killed.The Nimi’ipuu certainly did not as many men in the battle but the battle crippled their movement to the north making their pursuit even more difficult. What should have been a victory was not as the Nimi’ipuu were devastated with the battle outcome:  the Crow’s betrayal, physical & mental exhaustion, 3 months of pursuit, and their delayed progress.General Howard reaches the battlefield and was so disturbed by the dead horses, scare land, cold conditions and the Nimi’ipuu’s heroic fight. At this point all of the troops were in need of supplies mostly food so they killed the abandoned ponies for food. The land offered natural  resource with buffalo, elk and antelope so the Nimi’ipuu decide to rest at the mouth of the canyon. Out of the U.S. Calvary 8 soldiers were killed and 12 injured. The Nimi’i’puu 1 killed and 3 wounded which is a victory for the Nimi’ipuu People.


Battle of Bear’s Paw                                                        October 1-5, 1877
3 smarth board encounters, 1 seige, 1 surrender

Setting: Along Snake Creek in Bear’s Paw Mountains

U.S. Forces
Colonel Nelson A.Miles - 5th Infantry refreshed and ready to take on the Nimi’ipuu & Five Band
Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis - Still behind Miles on the pursuit * audience member
Private Trumpeter Thomas Herwood - just a boy recruit, died,
Lieutenant Lovell H. Jerome - Company H , taken hostage

Stage Props: Hotchkiss gun   brought in with the 5th Infantry, two men crew killedNapoleon gun -  1st time ever used

Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Looking Glass -  War Chief and leader and ignores warnings, have time and killedOllokot - Warrior and  killed in the first 3 hours of battle
* Black Eagle warned and ran for the horses, in the audience
Kapkap Ponmi (Noise of Running Water) daughter to Chief Joseph and was catching horses with her father when the camp was attacked
Chief Joseph was catching horses

Narrator: The Nimi’ipuu were successfully able to get farther away from U.S. Troops and  this enabled them to reach the high plains north of the Musselshell River what is present day Molt, Montana and the Big Lake Basin. Then they traversed west on the Musselshell continuing toward the Big Snowy Mountains. This trek was not easy with their loss of horses, depleted conditions and  Scouts and Sturgis’s pursuit. Sturgis hit the trail to follow and about 150 Crow all dressed for war joined the pursuit to get the Nimi’ipuu. Sturgis sent scouts to stop the Nimi’ipuu’s march. Unable to stop the march, they managed to harass the five bands and managed to steal another 400 horses. The Crows then attempted to capture the families and children with no luck. Five Nimiipuu were killed in the skirmish.

Yellow Wolf:  My heart was just like fire. I do not understand how the Crows could think to help the soldiers. They were fighting against their best friends! Some of our people helped them whip the Sioux who came against them only a few snows before [in 1874]. Fisher’s enlistment expired and he had to return. Sturgis and men cricitally tired and need of rest, horses either dead or sickened with the hoof disease.

Sturgis: I feel compelled to suspend further pursuit, in order that both men and animals might rest, and the troops provide themselves with game until our supplies from Fort Ellis should overtake us. Nez Perce are heading to Judith Basin and we must reluctantly abandoning a hopeless pursuit before my horses are completely destroyed.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 1  Trumpeter, Herwood, Miles  vs. Looking Glass, Ollokot, Yellow Bull
Result: Herwood, Ollokot, Looking Glass die

Narrator: On September 30 the The Bear's Paw Mountains provided the Nimi’ipuu people with ample game, outlying buttes, ridges to discover the enemy and dissected ridges for concealing position. It was Snake Creek where they established camp. The leaders were not sure they had time to establish camp but the grassy bottoms offered the weak animals needed food and rest.  The coulee at six feet deep would offer protection and conceal them from the enemies which included more battalions and infantries from northern Montana.Young Two Moons and Starving Elk and Hump were Cheyenne  warriors scouting for the U.S. Troops and they spotted the Nimi’ipuu and reported their position to Miles’s command. Miles planned to execute the traditional army tactical strike that became classic throughout the post-Civil War Indian campaign and shock the entire camp.Two things happen in the Nim’ipuu camp that may have cost them the battle. Wottolen the warrior had a dream about an imminent attack which Looking Glass ignored. Two scouts visiting an Assiniboine warned that the saw the troops coming and the saw them stampeding the buffalo. Looking Glass felt the people had plenty of time to move even with the warning and the buffalo, but he was wrong. From the south came the noise recalled by


Yellow Wolf : “stampeding buffaloes.” Looking Glass:

Narrator: Tyler and his troops charged directly through the camp only to realize the village was serveral miles off. Miles was right behind Tyler and his troops. General Howard was close behind Miles and his troops. 

Colonel Miles - Charge them, Darn them!

All soldiers -  Yeah Colonel, (approving shouts), Yes, You Got it

Narrator: Hale’s company  travelled the ascended flat ridge, but the warriors stopped his advance. Beyond the precipice, Moyland commanded the troops to fall back which lead to confusion since most of his men had never seen combat. He continued with and intended on withdrawing and reforming but started his men to the rear, but Godfrey’s and his company  were an open target which the warrior opened fire and killed his horse. Trumpeter Herwood and Welch saved Captain Godfrey by distracting the warriors until Godfrey could gain footage. Eckerson took Godfrey’s duties as he was wounded.

Lt. Jerome:  We could then see the village, all it lay within 400 yards of us to our right at the mouth of coulee.

Narrator: Colonel Miles directed companies A and D to dismount and face front, (directly to the North) to join with Hale’s troops. The terrain protected the troops as the warriors over shot them.  Hale’s troops advance (North) but are very much exposed to the sharpshooters, the he ordered them to dismount which involved hand to hand combat.

Cap. Moylan:  Any insignia of rank was almost a death warrant. Our horses went back without leaders.

Narrator: Every man stayed grazing back in the rear. Warriors gradually withdraw. Jerome  pulled back and reassembled with Moylan and Godfrey but the cross fire meant for the other companies was before them. Hale took a bullet in the thigh and just as he reloaded his revolver on the skirmish line a bullet tore and broke his neck. At this time many bodies lay on the fields and riderless horses gallop over the hills if not shot. The warriors were always aiming at the commander and they intended to hit Colonel Miles and the troops were begging him to dismount to ease the firing. With several commanders shot the leadership of the 7th Infantry.

Looking Glass: Kill the officers first and then the others.

Ollokot: Children crying in the cold, we must continue to fight. People are scattered everywhere hungry and freezing.

Cap. Stugis:  Bugler sound  the Deployment ! Our men are in the line of fire from both sides and these bodies had many shot wounds that were made after death.

Bugler (Herwood) - I can’t blow Sir, I’ve been shot.

Narrator: The hotchkiss gun was brought in with the 5th Infantry (Miles men )  but the muzzle could not be lowered because the sharp shooter shot the soldiers. Miles kept riding throughout the field yelling to the tribesmen.

Col. Miles - Surrender you people surrender and stop fighting! I was shocked to see the the lifeless body of accomplished officer and thorough gentlemen like Hale lying upon the crest with his white charger beside him. Not far the body of Biddle.

Narrator: Meanwhile in the horse camp, which was a north a distance from the village. Chief Joseph and his daughter; Noise of Running Water was corralling horses the attack was heard and appeared to moving towards them. Yellow Wolf  was heading toward the horses when the commotion broke out.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 2  Jerome, Miles vs. Ollokot, Black Eagle, Noise of Running Water, Chief Joseph, Springtime, & Yellow Wolf, Result: Jerome, Black Eagle, Chief Joseph and Yellow Wolf, and Springtime  live, McClernand withdraws, Ollokot dies and Sound of Water escapes.

Black Eagle: Turning, I saw everybody in confusion; those scattered rushing back to camp and getting their guns. I knew well what that meant, and I ran for the horses. These opening assaults on the Nimi’puu were alarming and forced many Nim’ipuu to flee like (Noise of Running Water) in the confusion.

Noise of Running Water: Father, I’m scared what should I do?

Chief Joseph - Run, catch a horse and flee with the others starting north from the camp!

Yellow Wolf - Soldiers, soldiers, soldiers have come. Then the crack in the air everybody was running here, there, everywhere.

Narrator: Chief Joseph ran back to the village and to his tent where his wife handed him his gun.

Noise of Running Water: Here’s your gun, FIGHT! (as she hands her father his rifle)

Narrator: Yellow Wolf tried to save the herd and ran to the bluff with Ollokot. As the ran up the bluff they were getting closer to the soldiers.

Ollokot: We must dash to the bluff as hundreds of soldiers are charging in two wide, circling wings. They are surrounding the camp and the area around the camp.

Narrator: Yellow Wolf could see from the bluff that the entire camp was surrounded by a circle of soldiers. The herd had been driven earlier in the battle from Tyler’s battalion sweep of 400. A second rush of assault came and sent many Nimi’ipuu people fleeing for their lives with about 250 of the livestock. Tyler sent Lieutenant McClernand and his Company C to pursue the fleeing natives and livestock on a course  of about 5 miles. Ollokot was shot at and died.

Col Miles: As the men had to be detached from time to time to guard the ponies, the Indians were forced to abandon, the enemy finally became stronger then what remained of the troops, and began to work around our flanks and rear. The troops got between the horses and the Nimi’ipuu, but the men would not leave causing McClernand to withdraw.


Smartboard Dice Encounter 3, Sturgis, Jerome, Miles  vs.  Tohoolhoolzote, Yellow Bull & Lakoyee Romeyn and Carter live and Tohoolhoolzote & Lakoyee die Result:

Narrator:  After the herd had been captured Lieutenant Jerome and company H came up on the bank opposite of the village and opened a fusillade which caught many women and children.

Lakoyee - Great Creator who are these savages contining to punish us making us fight  ? We don’t want to fight!

Lt. Jerome: we yelled and cheered and went over the steep bluffs, across a deep ravine and right into the village. Warriors raised gun fire as Woodruff’s attack failed

Tohoolhoolzote -  They are trying to take our village! Fight men for the women and children! Fight, Fight !

Narrator: Miles ordered an attack  and the Cheyenne and Lakota scouts pressed on into Joseph’s sector of the camp. The approach suddenly stopped, the warriors kept the troops in line.

Miles:   The only thing to do, was to make a clean sweep by charging along the whole line and drive them from the ravines and their village out into the open plains.

Lt. Jerome -  We withdrew by crawling on our hands and knees along a little ravine for about 20 yards.

Miles:  We failed with lack of support on the right and left.

Narrator: This went on for hours and at 5:30 Miles prepared a message to Howard, Sturgis, and Captain Brotherton of the situation: I have this day surprised the hostile Nez Perce in their camp and have had a very sharp fight. I have several officers and men wounded- about 30. About 250 Indians are still in their camp, which is protected. We captured the most of their herd, but I may have **** difficulty in moving , on account of my wounded. Please move forward with caution and rapidity.

Colonel Miles determined that further strikes would not give the troops any advantage, and they could prosecute the Nimi’ ipuu by sieging them, surrounding their line and pound and starve them into submission. The Nimi’ipuu in response dug labyrinth of  tunnels, which allow them to hold entire families, move around and communicate with each other. The food was limited, but their spirits were high. Forty - one shelter were created, with fifteen rifle pits and holes and tunnel to talk through as the last line of defense.

Lakoyee - We digged the trenches with camas hooks and butcher knives, with pans we threw out dirt. We could not do much cooking. Dried meat and some other grub would be passed around.

Narrator: The siege lasted well into the night and the Company G  managed to switch places with Company F to renew their energy.  A fallen sheet of snow had made its way to the battlefield and many of the Nimi’ipuu were wailing from death, cold and their loss.

Yellow Bull -The next morning we had dirt and rocks piled up around pits with holes to shoot through. If these points are overrun by troops the shelter pits would be the last line of defense.

Narrator: The U.S.Troops had 18 dead, 29 wounded from for companies and 2 wounded native  scouts.  The Nimi’ipuu also suffered great losses, in the first 3 hours Ollokot, Tohoolhoolzote, Lean Elk, some killed by their own Husis Kute and 5 others. Only 2 were wounded.

Smartboard Dice Encounter 3 Siege different than a battle so the dice mean different things. May want to use different tactic one that has 3 -4 different scenarios.

Seige at Bear's  Paw
U.S. Forces
Colonel Nelson A.Miles - 5th Infantry refreshed and ready to take on the
Lieutenant Lovell H. Jerome - Company H , taken hostage
Hump & Sout Louis Shambo - Cheyenne Scouts

Nimi’ipuu and Four Band Warriors
Sitting Bull - Chief of the Sioux held council, not willing to help the Nimi’ipuu.
Chief Joseph - councils, taken prisoner, released, councils, surrenders

Yellow Wolf - Warrior 
Narrator: October 1 brought snow, hail, winds and frustration to all the troops and Nimi’ipuu people. In the distance a line of horses were approaching and Colonel Miles, feeling frightened,  thought it was the impending Sioux. It turned out only to be travelling buffalo. The Sioux however were meeting and deciding whether to support the Nimi’ipuu and their warriors. In Canada in council Sitting Bull commented that his tribe would like to help our friends and neighbors, the Nimi’ipuu, but they must comply with the North West Mounted police and stay right where we are in Canada.

Cheyenne Scouts - Those Nimi’ipuu were the best shots I ever say. I would put a small stone on top of my rock and they would hit it every time. They were hitting the rock behind where I was lying which made me duck so hard that it made my nose bleed.

Narrator: Many Nimi’ipuu people  wanted to see a discussion between Col Miles and Joseph, however Joseph disapproved. Col Miles facilitated a discussion to aid any withdrawal or surrenders with the Nimi’ipuu. Col. Miles used the Cheyenne scouts to go to the camp and talk with Chief Joseph. The first meeting only consisted of Nimi;ipuu shaking hands with the U.S. Troops. The scouts came upon the camp to initiate a meeting, three Nimi’ipuu came out and shook hands with them.

Cheyenne Scouts - Colonel Miles will listen to you, you should meet with him. The troops rode back to Col Miles who now wanted to meet with Chief Joseph.

Narrator: Cheyenne Scouts reported to the Colonel that the Nimi'ipuu he camp was a sad looking place.... just outside of the breastworks were a few dead soldiers, but in the camp the bodies of the Nimi’ipuu were everywhere. Yellow Bull met with Colonel Miles returned with a note for Chief Joseph from Col Miles.

Chief Joseph: General Miles wished me to consider the situation; that he did not want to kill my people unnecessarily and then I demanded a flag of truce wave, so both sides could take  time to gather their dead and wounded from the previous day of fighting.

Narrator: Joseph walked over to Col Miles Tent.

Colonel Miles - Talk this matter over

Chief Joseph - (talks to Miles with interrupter so words did not get mis interrupted)  In the fighting from the previous my brother, Ollokot, among others, had been killed. We lost many warriors as thought the Indians were the reinforcing Sioux. Although I want to surrender, my views do not necessarily extend to the others.

Colonel Miles - Well then you must surrender and bring your arms forward and place them on the ground .

Narrator: Which amounts to nothing.

Chief Joseph - (hesitated about giving up any more) My people require guns for hunting game. Silence continued and then Chief Joseph and the other four decided to leave when for no apparent reason.

Colonel Miles -  Remain here Captain Tom, Chief Joseph wait!

Narrator: Col Miles of his men took Chief Joseph prisoner which violates every concept of a truce. Chief Joseph was hobbled and covered in blanket and thrown in pasture with he mules.

Colonel Miles - (gave orders) Lieutenant Jerome you must go immediately and report on the Nimi’ipuu.

Narrator: At this time Yellow Bull while taking to Lt. Jerome took him with force back to Chief Jospeh's tent. where Lt. Jerome was  held by the Nimi’ipuu people where is was allowed to carry his weapon and treated him like a honored guest. Yellow Bull visited and tried to check on Chief Joseph.

Yellow Bull:  General Miles would not let me leave the tent to see my friend alone. As Jerome was held with the Nimi’ipuu people they were being fired on by the U.S. Troops

.Lt. Jerome: I was alarmed and disgusted!

Narrator: The Nimi’ipuu moved Lt. Jerome to keep him safe. Jerome was in awe with the Nimi’ipuu people and their buoyant cheerfulness despite their dire circumstances. During the day Lt. Jerome sent a note to Col Miles regarding his treatment and that Chief Joseph should be removed from the hobbles and treated with respect. Col Miles started planning the exchange of prisoners when the Napoleon gun arrived. On October 2, in the morning the prisoners were brought to the skirmish line where they shook hands and went with the people.  The unsteady truce continued through the next day.   

Colonel Miles - Charge them to Hell! (just before he released Chief Joseph) 

Chief Joseph returns and councils with the leaders once again.

Chief Joseph: We can escape from here if we leave our wounded, old women, and children behind. Are we willing to do this?

Yellow Wolf: Have you ever heard of a wounded Indian recovering while in the hands of white men.

Narrator: On the 3rd the Napoleon gun was fired into the Nimi’ipuu Village shocking and threatening the people. A few gun fires were returned. The land explosion from the Napoleon gun buried and entire native family killing a grandmother and child. On October 4 General Howard arrives  to the camp and as he is travelling through the field he is shot at.

Colonel Miles - We have the Indians corralled down yonder. We will escort you forward. In a meeting that evening Howard told Miles discuss the command of the campaign.

General Howard -  I have no wish to assume command and that the you colonel should be free to complete the work that I had started.

Narrator: General Howard then directed reinforcement ahead of his command to protect them from the impending Sioux., Colonel Miles send more native scouts to invite surrender again from Chief Joseph. The chiefs of bands were counseling and wanted to come to an agreement; which they did have two separate councils. They decided to have Chief Joseph surrender to the General, and those who wished to flee should escape. As Captain John a messenger for the Nimi’ipuu,  relayed Chief Joseph’s words in the note and it brought him to tears.

The note very similar in his speech explained that he knows General Howard heart and that he is tired of fighting, his chiefs are dead, many people escaped. The little children are freezing and they he will fight no more forever. On October 5, 11:00 Joseph rode up gracefully with his head down to halfway between the lines, he proceeded to dismount walk ahead of the warriors to General Howard & Colonel Miles. He raised his head, started to give his weapon to General Howard who turned to Colonel Miles and then gave it to Colonel Miles. Chief Joseph’s Famous SpeechChief Joseph was the tribal guardian and he took his role and responsibility seriously. Since the Sioux Nation or Sitting Bull refused to help the fight, he felt the tribe’s strength and endurance could not win, yet he was not willing to quit. After Chief Joseph learned that General Howard had arrived and that he did not want fighting, Chief Joseph felt he needed to do what was best for his people. At this point many warriors were dead, many tribal members had escaped, other tribes refused to help and the remaining members were cold, hungry and weary. Chief Joseph surrendered his fight for his people. He discussed and persuaded his people that it was their only choice they had with the resources at hand. He wanted to respectfully bury the dead, collect resources and find their family members to sustain themselves.

Chief Joseph: Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. The old men are all killed. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led the young men is dead. It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills. And have no blankets, no food; no one knows where they are, perhaps freezing to death. I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.