White Bird

Part of our trip involves following the Nez Perce National Historic Trail as it winds through several states. The White Bird battlefield in Idaho is set in a meadow in a spectacular canyon. On June 17, 1877 the U.S. Army, still smarting from its defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn less than a year earlier, failed to stop the Nez Perce in their flight into Montana due to their having refused to move to a reservation.

I've always admired the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) tribe because they prefered peace over warfare, but they were tough when forced to fight. Chief Joseph showed not only military, but moral leadership.