The year 1877 marked a pivotal moment in the history of the American West, signifying what many consider to be the twilight of the Indian Wars. One year after the infamous defeat of General Custer at the Little Bighorn, the U.S. Army engaged in a protracted and arduous conflict with the Nez Perce tribe, a people originating from the lands of eastern Oregon and Idaho. This conflict, known as the Nez Perce War, was not confined to a single location, but rather unfolded across a vast expanse of territory encompassing multiple states. Its reach even extended into the newly established Yellowstone National Park, turning the pristine wilderness into a temporary theater of war. In their valiant attempt to evade the relentless pursuit of the U.S. Army, the Nez Perce traversed an astonishing distance of approximately 1,300 miles. Their desperate flight ultimately culminated in a heart-wrenching surrender at Snake Creek, situated near the Bear Paw Mountains in northern Montana, a mere 40 miles south of the Canadian border.
The year prior to the Nez Perce War witnessed the triumphant victory of Native American warriors over Custer and his men. Following that monumental clash, these victors, keenly aware of the potential repercussions of their actions, sought refuge across the "Medicine Line," the border separating the United States from Canada. Although the Canadian authorities recognized the dire circumstances facing the Nez Perce, they made it clear that while the tribe was welcome to seek asylum within Canada, any attempt to return to the United States to aid their brethren in Montana would result in the revocation of their refugee status.
Faced with an impossible situation, Chief Joseph and Yellow Wolf, two prominent leaders of the Nez Perce, made the agonizing decision to surrender to the U.S. troops in the autumn of 1877. Their primary motivation was to safeguard the lives of the more than 400 Nez Perce women, children, elderly individuals, and the dwindling number of remaining warriors who found themselves trapped with little hope of escape into Canada. The terms of the surrender agreement stipulated that the Nez Perce would relinquish their weapons and horses in exchange for safe passage back to their ancestral reservation in eastern Idaho.
However, this promise proved to be a hollow one. The residents of Idaho and Oregon, driven by their own ambitions for the land formerly occupied by the Nez Perce, vehemently opposed the tribe’s return. The Nez Perce, therefore, were not allowed to return to their homeland. Instead, they were escorted by boat and wagon to Bismarck, North Dakota, where they boarded a train that would transport them to an unexpected destination: Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Today, visitors to Fort Leavenworth can still glimpse remnants of this poignant chapter in Nez Perce history. Standing at the intersection of the road that crosses the railroad tracks into Sherman Army Airfield, one can trace the path of the "Road to Rialto," which once led to the site where the Nez Perce were held.
Fort Leavenworth, being a cavalry post, boasted a large population of horses. Soldiers, in their leisure time, enjoyed racing these horses, leading to the creation of race tracks. The so-called Victorian Era Horse Race Track, the second such track on the fort grounds, was situated at the intersection of the Road To Rialto and the levee road, which today is aptly named Chief Joseph Loop. It was within the confines of this race track that the Nez Perce were provided with shelter.
The U.S. Army supplied the Nez Perce with food, water, and security. While it is difficult to definitively label their situation as complete imprisonment, their freedom was undoubtedly restricted. The Nez Perce War, being the last of the Great Indian Wars, garnered significant international media attention. Chief Joseph’s presence at Fort Leavenworth attracted a considerable number of onlookers eager to witness the famed leader and his people firsthand.
The sheer number of visitors prompted the fort authorities to implement a curfew in order to provide the Nez Perce with some measure of privacy and respite. It is believed that during their time at Fort Leavenworth, the Nez Perce engaged in crafting items for sale to the public. Given their arrival in the fall, it is also likely that they spent time gathering native pecans from the woodlands that occupied the fort’s floodplain. These pecan trees, and their bountiful harvest, continue to thrive in the area today.
However, the novelty of housing and caring for over 400 Nez Perce individuals soon wore off on the fort’s administration. The financial burden of providing for the tribe grew increasingly burdensome, prompting the fort commander to appeal to Congress for reimbursement. He argued that the fort was ill-equipped to function as a prisoner of war camp and threatened to release the Nez Perce if Congress failed to provide the necessary financial support.
After a mere eight months at Fort Leavenworth, the Nez Perce boarded a train in downtown Leavenworth and were transported to Oklahoma, where they were confined for approximately seven years. The role of Fort Leavenworth in the Nez Perce’s story is that of a way station. Eventually, they were finally allowed to return to a portion of their ancestral lands in Idaho, although their long-held dream of returning to their original reservation was never fully realized.
Fort Leavenworth‘s role, though brief, serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and often tragic interactions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes during the 19th century. The Nez Perce’s forced relocation and the broken promises they endured highlight the injustices that were inflicted upon Indigenous peoples during this era.
The story of the Nez Perce at Fort Leavenworth is not just a historical footnote; it is a crucial element in understanding the broader context of Native American history and the lasting impact of government policies on Indigenous communities. The site itself, once a place of confinement, now stands as a reminder of the resilience and perseverance of the Nez Perce people in the face of adversity. Their spirit, though tested by hardship and displacement, remained unbroken.
The legacy of the Nez Perce endures today. Their descendants continue to honor their ancestors and preserve their cultural heritage. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting Indigenous rights, honoring treaty obligations, and striving for a more just and equitable future for all. The brief but significant chapter of their history at Fort Leavenworth is an integral part of this narrative, reminding us of the need to learn from the past and work towards a future where such injustices are never repeated. The experience the Nez Perce had at Fort Leavenworth left an indelible mark on the history of both the tribe and the fort itself.