History
Chief White Bird, like many of his people, was a Dreamer, a follower of the teachings of Smohalla, the Wanapam shaman and prophet. Alongside Chief Joseph, White Bird directed the 1877 withdrawal from eastern Oregon into Montana and ahead toward the Canadian border during the Nez Perce War. White Bird's following was second in size to Joseph's but did not exceed 50 men. White Bird and Joseph led the Nez Percé Indians until October 1877, when General Nelson Miles of the U.S. Army attacked them at Snake Creek at the Battle of Bear Paw, south of Havre, Montana. Following a five-day fight, Joseph and many of the fatigued band acknowledged a cessation of hostilities, surrendered to Miles, and became prisoners of war.
White Bird refused to relinquish, and left on the night of October 5. He effectively slipped through enemy lines with over a hundred of the band.
Read more about this topic: White Bird (Native American Leader)
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