In Pursuit of the Nez Perces: The Nez Perce War of 1877 [Paperback]

O. O. Howard (Author), Duncan McDonald (Author), Nez Perce Chief Joseph (Author), Linwood Laughy (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1993

This book brings together three unique perspectives on the Nez Perce War of 1877. Through the words of General O.O. Howard you'll observe the 1300-mile long panorama of the Nez Perce War from the viewpoint of the commander of the pursuing U.S. Troops. In the 1878 news articles of Montana reporter Duncan McDonald, you'll hear the voices of those Nez Perces who fled during the last hours of the war to the safety of Canada and who for years afterwards sadly, bitterly, defined the war as a friendship forgotten, a trust betrayed. Finally, through the voice of the famed Chief Joseph, you'll witness the personal and cultural pride, strengths and sufferings of the pursued. Never before have these three contradictory testimonials to the much-debated military campaign of the Nez Perce War been brought together, side-by-side, for your enjoyment, judgement, and enlightenment.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Three unique perspectives on the last of the great Indian wars of the west.

Through the words of General O.O. Howard, first published in 1881, you'll observe the 1300-mile panorama of the war from the viewpoint of the commander of the pursuing U.S. troops, who wrote his account in an attempt to justify what many at that time and since have called an indefensible lack of military vigor.

From the 1878 news articles of Montana reporter Duncan McDonald, you'll hear the voices of those Nez Perces who fled during the last hours of the war across the border to the safety of Canada and who for years afterwards bitterly, sadly, defined the war as a friendship forgotten, a trust betrayed.

Finally, through the voice of the famed Chief Joseph, whose oft quoted line, "From where the sun now stands I shall fight no more forever," drew a conclusion to the 4-month long saga, you'll witness the personal and cultural pride, strengths and sufferings of the pursued.

Never before have these three contradicting testimonials to the much debated military campaign of the Nez Perce War of 1877 been brought together, side-by-side, for you consideration, your judgement, your enlightenment.

About the Author

General Otis O. Howard was in 1877 the U.S. Army Commander of the Department of the Columbia. As such he was the commanding officer of the U.S. troops that pursued the non-treaty Nez Perces for the entire 1300-mile route of their flight through Idaho and Montana. His account of the events leading up to the Nez Perce War and of the campaign itself was originally published in 1881 under the title Nez Perce Joseph: An Account of His Ancestors, His Lands, His Confederates, His Enemies, His Murders, His War, His Pursuit and Capture.

Duncan McDonald was the son of Hudson Bay Fur Company manager Angus McDonald and Angus' Nez Perce wife. The younger McDonald was fluent in both English and Nez Perce and was known personally by many of the approximately two hundred ninety Nez Perces who fled to Canada after the final battle of the 1877 war. His perspectives on the war were gained from his interviews with this group and were published in 1878 in a series of articles in The New North-West, a Deer Lodge Montana newspaper.

Chief Joseph was the chief of the Wallowa band of Nez Perces and led those who surrendered at the Battle of the Bear Paw and were sent into exile in Kansas and Oklahoma. His thoughts on the war were provided in an extensive interview with The North American Review published in 1879.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Meadow Pr; 1st ed edition (August 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945519133
• ISBN-13: 978-0945519133
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Pursuit of the Nez Perces, January 4, 2007

By 

Lee R. Williams (Whittier, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Pursuit of the Nez Perces: The Nez Perce War of 1877 (Paperback)

There is no substitute for reading from those actually involved in a historic event. I have already researched Oliver O. Howard's Autobiography, his publications "Famous Indian Chiefs I have Known", "My Life And Experiences Among Our Hostile Indians and now this publication "In Pursuit Of The Nez Perces". There is no substitute for this seemingly directly contact with the man itself. It's like going back 100 years and talking to the man himself. It's something no modern historian can match.

I am currently in the process of writing a series of books, historical fiction in format, on this subject, the Nez Perce War. I have volumes of research on this subject. This work adds to my understand of how the General felt and how he saw this historic event.

Has it influenced my writings?

Of course!

Has it helped?

Sure!

Having sources like this is literally as good as walking the actual trails or visiting the historic sights. It's getting first hand information from those involved. It's a viewpoint that one cannot get any other way.

It's a must for every serious Library on American History.

I am very pleased with the book. I want more!