Everything Everywhere Daily · Thursday, September 24, 2026
In May 1877, General Oliver O. Howard summoned the Nez Perce chiefs who had not signed the 'Thief Treaty' to a council, demanding they relocate to the Lapwai reservation within 30 days. Despite Howard privately acknowledging the unjust treatment of the Nez Perce, political pressures forced his hand in enforcing the ultimatum.
“In May of 1877, General Oliver O. Howard, acting on behalf of the United States government, summoned the rogue chiefs to a council on the Lapwai reservation. During that meeting, Howard presented them with an ultimatum.”
“Howard mandated that the bands had 30 days to round up their families, thousands of cattle, and horse herds, abandon their homes, and relocate within the Lapwai reservation boundaries.”
“Despite the hard line that he took with the holdouts, Howard privately recognized that the Nez Perce had been treated unjustly.”