Joseph resisted all efforts to force his tribe onto the small Idaho reservation, and in 1873 a federal order to remove white settlers and let his people remain in the Wallowa Valley made it appear that he might be successful. But the federal government soon reversed itself, and in 1877 General Oliver Otis Howard threatened an attack to force Joseph's tribe onto the reservation. Believing military resistance futile, Joseph reluctantly led his people towards Idaho. Unfortunately, they could never travel there. About 20 Nez Perce warriors, enraged at the loss of their homeland, staged a raid on nearby settlements and killed several
Joseph resisted all efforts to force his tribe onto the small Idaho reservation, and in 1873 a federal order to remove white settlers and let his people remain in the Wallowa Valley made it appear that he might be successful. But the federal government soon reversed itself, and in 1877 General Oliver Otis Howard threatened an attack to force Joseph's tribe onto the reservation. Believing military resistance futile, Joseph reluctantly led his people towards Idaho. Unfortunately, they could never travel there. About 20 Nez Perce warriors, enraged at the loss of their homeland, staged a raid on nearby settlements and killed several