The Military: The Nez Perce War

The Military: The Nez Perce War. . As a band of Nez Perce Indians out (missing word(s)) and outmaneuver the U.S. Cavalry in the fall of 1877, newspapers picked up on the drama (missing word(s)) headlines read: "Comic Opera, Bungling of Pursuer, Salutes to a Most Remarkable Enemy, (missing word(s)) the Nez Perce Splendid Military Intellect." This did not sit well with General Oliver O. Howard, who was leading the campaign, nor his superiors. The majority of public sediment was blatantly against the Army in this David and Goliath war which had been costly in lives, funding and public acceptance. , The Seventh Cavalry had all but been wiped out with Colonel Custer a year earlier at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and the unit was anxious for vindication, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis, leading the Seventh, had also lost a sone, Lieutenant Jack Sturgis, in that battle. General Howard also was without a single successful engagement to this point. The campaign became a personal crusade for the military officers. , But at last in the Army's estimation, the campaign was coming to an end. The military strategists laid a broad net around Yellowstone, and all exits from the park were blocked with more than 20 companies in place. This would prevent any escape for the Nez Perce and put a quick end to this embarrassing conflict.