Everything Everywhere Daily · Thursday, September 24, 2026
Nearing the Canadian border with the hope of joining Sitting Bull, the Nez Perce, unaware of the telegraph's reach, were outdistanced by Howard's forces but intercepted by Colonel Nelson Miles. Barely 40 miles from their goal, the exhausted Nez Perce found themselves surrounded and under siege by Miles's well-supplied American forces.
“The chief slowed their pace, unaware of the reach of the electric telegraph. While Howard's forces lagged behind, telegraphs had already dispatched a new strike force.”
“Barely 40 miles short of the Canadian border, the exhausted Nez Perce suddenly found themselves surrounded and under siege by Colonel Nelson Miles.”
“When Custer arrived early that September, the Nez Perce fought with the well-supplied American forces as well as bitter snow and cold.”