Continuation of the Pierced-nose Indians

The continuation of the Pierced-nose Indians is an episode of the Indian Guerres opposing to the troops and the colonists of the the United States to the Indiens of America which has occurred during the summer 1877. It does not deserve to be called however war, because it is only the tracking of people which migrates for his freedom by soldiers and colonists who regard them as dangers to the law and order, on more than 1700 km.

Be a prelude to

Peaceful people

The Pierced-nose Indians are peaceful people, which help in particular in 1805 Lewis and Clark in their crossing of the continent. They select also a race of horses, the Appaloosa.

Territorial pressures of the United States

The pressure of the colonists leads to a first treaty delimiting the territory Pierced-nose Indians in 1855. Treaty whose government states-unien asks for the revision in 1863, by decreasing the surface of the reserve by 90%. Certain chiefs, whose Lawyer ( Juriste ) sign this treaty, and go in a reserve of the Idaho. Five tribes refuse to be locked up in a reserve, of which that of Old Joseph Chief. His/her son Jeune Joseph Chief continues to refuse this treaty, and to maintain good relationships with the authorities of Wallowa. Those decide in 1873 that the grounds occupied by the colonists were acquired illegally, and ask them to evacuate them.

In 1876, the Bataille of Little Big Horn increases the pressure of the army so that the Indians are confined in their reserves. But the Pierced-nose Indians not finding a ground suitable in the reserve in Idaho, refuse, until the Ultimatum of the general Oliver Howard, the May 3rd 1877. The free remaining Pierced-nose Indians are divided into three groups: some join the reserve, others move towards the plains to Bison S, the last group tries to escape from the Canada.

Chronology

June 2nd: With the lake Tolo, exceeded Pierced-nose Indians, not belonging to the tribe of Wallowa, kill 4 colonists, to avenge for dead for their tribe, as well as flights of cattle.
June 4th: A new raid made 14 died in the colonists. The army intervenes to force the Pierced-nose Indians to join the reserve.
June 15th: Departure towards Canada of the group of Young person Chief Joseph, including/understanding 800 people including 200 adult men.
June 17th: Battle of White Bird Canyon: the Pierced-nose Indians do not have losses, the commander of Perry cavalry is pushed back and leaves 34 dead on the ground.
June 22nd: the Howard general brings together 400 soldiers and 100 scouts, and leaves to the continuation the Pierced-nose Indians. He is initially surprised when they face him, then is directed by a trick of the Pierced-nose Indians in a valley in dead end.
4 and July 5th: Skirmishes of Cottonwood: two volunteers of Idaho die.
July 11th: Victoire of the Pierced-nose Indians to the Battle of Clear Toilets Creek. The 600 men of Howard and his artillery are stopped by 24 Pierced-nose Indians who raised barricades while benefitting from the rough ground. The camp could be raised and the tribe to move towards Bitteroots Mountains.
August 9th: Colonel Gibbon, prevented by telegraph, awaits the Pierced-nose Indians beyond Bitteroots Moutains. He surprises the camping with two hundred men. The Bataille of Big Hole makes 87 dead in the Pierced-nose Indians, who push back nevertheless the Blue Tunics.
August 19th: Chef Joseph manages to conceal 150 mules with the Howard general.
Of the 20 to the August 25th: Combat of Camas Meadows
August 22nd: Entry in the park of Yellowstone
September 30th - October 4th: Battle of the mount Bear Paw; the chief Lunettes (Looking Knell) there finds death, with approximately 30 other Pierced-nose Indians. On the 400 soldiers states-uniens, 23 found death.
October 5th: rendering of Joseph Chief, with 87 men, 184 women and 147 children, to 70 km of the Canadian border.

Epilog

Three hundred other Pierced-nose Indians arrived at Canada. The people Pierced-nose Indians are then sent in the Indian reserve, in Oklahoma, where it declines quickly. In 1885, after an opinion campaign in New England, Joseph Chief and his tribe are authorized to go in a reserve of the Territory of the North-West, where one continued to regard it as a public menace.

See too

the Continuation of Black Falcon
Indian Wars

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