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| The Whitebird Battlefield |
For someone as interested in local history as I am, the
Whitebird Battlefield makes an excellent place to hike. It is the site where, on June 17, 1877,
Captain David Perry of the U.S. Cavalry led a little over a hundred men against
a group that is estimated to have been anywhere from 50 to 140 Nez Perce
warriors.
Today, the battlefield is a pretty desolate-looking place. A
walking trail of about one and a half miles stretches through it. There are six
stops along this trail where visitors can learn more about the events of the
battle.
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| It would have been hard to get around in the midst of a battle |
Desolate or not, it is still an intriguing place. When I was
probably five or six, I went there on a field trip. We had a guide who was able
to describe where and when the events of the battle took place. Ever since
then, it has been one of those places where history doesn’t seem very far away
for me.
If you decide to visit for yourself, you need to remember
that the area gets very hot in the summer. You’ll need to bring water and
sunscreen and be sure you’re dressed appropriately.
If you want a bird’s eye view of the battlefield, there is
an overlook above it on Highway 95.
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| This snag grows on the top of a hill in the middle of the battlefield |
