HIGH PRAISE
FOR THE WORK OF
TERRY C. JOHNSTON
“The author’s attention to detail and authenticity, coupled with his ability to spin a darned good yarn, makes it easy to see why Johnston is today’s best-selling frontier novelist. He’s one of a handful that truly knows the territory.”
—Chicago Tribune
“Rich in historical lore and dramatic description, this is a first-rate addition to a solid series, a rousing tale of one man’s search for independence in the unspoiled beauty of the Old West.”
—Publishers Weekly on Buffalo Palace
“A first-class novel by a talented author.”
—Tulsa World on Dream Catcher
“With meticulous research, vivid dialogue, memorable characters, and a voice uniquely his own, Johnston has once again written the finest of historical fiction, seamlessly blending together both time and place to bring to life a world as real as our own.”
—Roundup Magazine on Dance on the Wind
Praise for LAY THE MOUNTAINS LOW
“Among novelists, Terry Johnston knows more about America’s Indian wars than any other writer. From his first novel, Carry the Wind, in 1982, no writer has worked harder than Johnston to make a name for himself in the difficult and much-besieged field of Western fiction, and no other writer since Louis U Amour has come close to Johnston’s success. Read Lay the Mountains Low to see why.”
—Dale Walker, Rocky Mountain News
“You are there, you are really there in Johnston’s largest, most complex work: an apt hardcover debut in the series.”
—Booklist
“Johnston is a skilled storyteller whose words ring with the desperation, confusion and utter horror of a fight to the death between mortal enemies. This is uncomfortable history, and it hits home like a blunt instrument.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Compelling … Johnston offers memorable characters, a great deal of history and lore about the Indians and pioneers of the period, and a deep insight into human nature, Indian and white.”
—Booklist
“A remarkably fine blend of arduous historical research and proficient use of language.”
—Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph
“Terry C. Johnston pierces the heart and soul of the 19th century men and women he writes about so well, capturing in unforgettable and gracious stories the joys and agonies of the great westward expansion of a young America … he will make your heart sing.”
—Richard S. Wheeler, Spur Award-winning author of Sierra
“Excellent … very forceful and moving.”
—Turner Kirkland, Dixie Gun Works
THE PLAINSMEN SERIES BY TERRY C. JOHNSTON
Book I: Sioux Dawn
Book II: Red Cloud’s Revenge
Book III: The Stalkers
Book IV: Black Sun
Book V: Devil’s Backbone
Book VI: Shadow Riders
Book VII: Dying Thunder
Book VIII: Blood Song
Book IX: Reap the Whirlwind
Book X: Trumpet on the Land
Book XI: A Cold Day in Hell
Book XII: Wolf Mountain Moon
Book XIII: Ashes of Heaven
Book XIV: Cries from the Earth
Book XV: Lay the Mountains Low
Book XIV: Turn the Stars Upside Down
LAY THE
MOUNTAINS
LOW
THE FLIGHT OF THE NEZ PERCE FROM
IDAHO AND THE BATTLE OF THE BIG HOLE,
AUGUST 9–10, 1877
TERRY C.
JOHNSTON
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
LAY THE MOUNTAIN LOW
Copyright © 2000 by Terry C. Johnston.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 0-312-97310-1
EAN: 80312-97310-0
Printed in the United States of America
St. Martin’s Press hardcover edition / June 2000
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / February 2001
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
10 9 8 7 6 5
Across the last fourteen years as we collaborated on one
historically authentic and accurate
book cover after another,
we have forged a timeless and unbreakable bond
of friendship and camaraderie …
yet while I have been blessed to share his artwork
with my readers around the world,
I am even more honored this man
calls me friend—
I lovingly dedicate this heart-wrenching novel
of the turning point in the Nez Perce War to
that good ol’ Virginia boy who is without peer:
my cover artist,
Lou Glanzman.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
CIVILIANS
Emily F. FitzGerald
Elizabeth FitzGerald
Bert FitzGerald
Jennie Norton
Elizabeth Osborn
Norman Gould
John B. Monteith
Erwin C. Watkins
“Captian” Tom Page
Benjamin F. Potts
Washington “Dutch” Holmes
Dave Ousternolt
Luther P. “Lew” Wilmot
“Captain” Benjamin F. Morris
Eugene Tallmadge Wilson
“Captain” James L. Cearly
P. C. Malin
Benjamin Penny
William Foster
Jack Carleton
Chauncey Barbour
“Captain” John Humble
“Sergeant” Joseph Baker
Peter H. Ready
Frank A. Fenn
Henry C. Johnson
Cassius M. “Cash” Day
D. H. Howser
Alonzo B. Leland
F. Joseph “Joe” Moore
Charles Johnson
Henry W. Croasdaile
Williams George
George M. Shearer
Loyal P. (L.P.) Brown
H. C. “Hurdy Gurdy” Brown
John J. Manuel
Peter Matte
Thomas A. Sutherland
Benjamin Norton
Hill Norton
Lynn Bowers
Helen Walsh
George Greer
Peter Ronan
“Captain” William Hunter
“Captain” J. W. Elliott
William Watson
J. A. Miller
“Colonel” Edward McConville
John Atkinson
George Hunter
John McPherson
George Riggins
Elias Darr
“Laughing” Williams
James T. Silverwood
E. A. Kenney
W J. Stephens
“Captain” Darius B. (D. B.)
Randall
Frank D. Vansise
Ephraim J. Bunker
Pete Bremen
James Buchanan
Charley Case
Benjamin F. Evans
Mrs. Chamberlin
Peter Minturn
Paul Guiterman
Sarah Brown
Maggie Manuel
Albeit Benson
John W Crooks
“Captain” Orlando “Rube”
Robbins
John Crooks, Jr.
William Silverthorne
Alexander Matte
Dr. John Morris
Charley Crooks
Dan Crooks
Arthur “Ad”/“Admiral”
Chapman
Henry Buck
Fred Buck
Joe Pardee
“Captain” John B. Catlin
Wesley Little
H. S. Bostwick
Campbell Mitchell
William H. Edwards
Jerry Wallace
“Captain” John L. Humble
John Buckhouse
Reverend W. T. Flowers
Amos Buck
Jerry Fahy
Myron Lockwood
Father Anthony Ravalli
Joe Blodgett
Hugh Kirkendall
“Captain” William R. Logan
William Woodcock
Nelse McGilliam
John Miller
Alfred Cave
Wilson B. Harlan
Luther Johnson
Tom Sherrill
“Bunch” Sherrill
Mr. Bonny
MILITARY
Major General Irwin McDowell
Captain Birney Keeler Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard / “Cut-Off Arm” / “Never Going to Fight Until Tomorrow“
Major George B. Sanford
Captain David Perry—F Troop
Captain Joel G. Trimble—H Troop
Captain Henry E. Winters—H Troop
Captain Stephen Gerard Whipple—L Troop
Captain James B. Jackson—B Troop
First Lieutenant Edwin H. Shelton—L Troop
First Lieutenant Albert G. Forse—E Troop
First Lieutenant George R. Bacon—K Troop
Second Lieutenant William Russell Parnell—H Troop
Second Lieutenant Sevier McClellan Rains—L Troop
Second Lieutenant William H. Miller—E Troop
Major John Wesley Green
First Sergeant Oliver Sutherland (Sean Dennis Geoghegan)—B Troop
Sergeant Bernard Simpson—L Troop
Sergeant Isidor Schneider—H Troop
Sergeant Charles Lampman—E Troop
Trumpeter Frank A. Marshall—H Troop
Farrier John Drugan—H Troop
Private David Carroll—L Troop
Private George H. Dinteman—L Troop
Private Otto H. Richter—L Troop
Private William Roche—E Troop
Private Franklin Moody—L Troop
Second Lieutenant Thomas T. Knox—H Troop
First Sergeant Michael McCarthy—H Troop
Private Patrick Quinn—E Troop
Private John Burk—E Troop
Private Charles E. Fowler—H Troop
Private Frederick Meyer—L Troop
Private Daniel Ryan—E Troop
Second U. S. Cavalry
Sergeant Edward Page—L Troop
Fourth U. S. Artillery
Captain Marcus P. Miller—commanding artillery battalion
Captain Eugene A. Bancroft—M Battery
Captain Charles B. Throckmorton—M Battery
Captain Harry C. Cushing—C Battery
Captian George B. Rodney—D Battery
Second Lieutenant Harrison G. Otis—E Battery
Seventh U. S. Infantry
Colonel John Gibbon—regiment commander
Captain Charles C. Rawn—I Company
Captain William Logan—A Company
Captain James M. W. Sanno—G Company
Captain Richard Comba—D Company
Captain George L. Browning—G Company
First Lieutenant Joshua W. Jacobs—regimental quartermaster
First Lieutenant William L. English—I Company
First Lieutenant Charles A. Coolidge—A Company
First Lieutenant James H. Bradley—B Company
First Lieutenant Charles A. Woodruff—K Company (aide-de-camp to Colonel Gibbon)
Second Lieutenant Francis Woodbridge—A Company
Lieutenant Tom Andrews—A Company
Lieutenant Levi F. Burnett—Gibbon’s aide at Fort Shaw
First Sergeant Patrick Rogan—A Company
Sergeant John Raferty—A Company
Sergeant Michael Hogan—I Company
Sergeant John W. H. Frederick—G Company
Sergeant Patrick C Daly—D Company
Sergeant Mildon H. Wilson—Company
Corporal Charles N. Loynes—I Company
Corporal Robert E. Sale—G Company
Corporal Socrates Drummond
Private Charles Alberts—A Company
Private George Leher—A Company
Private Homer Coon—G Company
Private John O. Bennett—B Company
Private Malcolm McGregor—G Company
Private John H. Goale—G Company
Twenty-first Infantry
Major Edwin C. Mason—Department Inspector General, Howard’s Chief of Staff
Captain Evan Miles—infantry battalion commander
Captain William F. Spurgin—commander, pioneer/engineer company
Captain William H. Boyle—G Company
Captain Robert Pollock—D Company
First Lieutenant Robert H. Fletcher—acting assistant adjutant general
First Lieutenant Fred H. E. Ebstein—regimental and column quartermaster
Lieutenant James A. Haughey—H Company
Lieutenant Harry Bailey—B Company
Private Francis Winters—B Company
Howard’s Staff
Captain Lawrence S. Babbitt
First Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson
Second Lieutenant Guy Howard
Second Lieutenant Charles Erskine Scott Wood
Colonel John Gibbon—commanding, Seventh U. S. Infantry
Surgeon Jenkins A. (“John”) FitzGerald—Fort Lapwai
Surgeon George M. Sternberg—Fort Walla Walla
Assistant Surgeon William R. Hall
TREATY NEZ PERCE
John Hill
Tom Hill
James Lawyer
Archie Lawyer
James Reuben
Luke Billy
Robinson Minthon
Yuwishakaikit
Joe Albert / Elaskolatat
John Levi / “Captain John” / Sheared Wolf
Abraham Brooks
Delaware Jim / Jim Simonds
NON-TREATY BANDS Nee-Me-Poo
Yellow Wolf / Hemene Moxmox
Old Yellow Wolf
Wemastahtus
Teminisiki
Horse Blanket / Seekumses Kunnin
Elm Limb / Alahmoot
Paktilek
Yiyik Wasumwah
Tomyunmene
Tommino
Going Across / Wayakat
Over the Point / Teeweeyownah
Three Feathers
Hair Combed Over Eyes / Wottolen
Weesculatat (Wounded Mouth / Mimpow Owyeeri)
White Cloud / Sewattis Hihhih
Five Wounds / Pahkatos Owyeen
Rainbow / Wahchumyus
Kulkulsuitim
Poker Joe / Lean Elk / Wa-wook-ke-ya Was Sauw / Joe Hale
Joseph / Heinmot (White Thunder)
Ta-ma-al-we-non-my / Driven Before a Cold Storm
Sun Necklace (“Yellow Bull” / Chuslum Moxmox)
Wounded Head / Husis Owyeen
No Feet / Seeskoomkee
Black Raven / Nennin Chekoostin
Strong Eagle / Tipyahlahnah Kapskaps
Shot Leg / Tahkoopen
Eagle Robe / Tipyahlanah Siskon
Shore Crossing / Wahlitits
Smoker / Dookiyoon
Red Moccasin Tops / Sarpsis Ilppil
Burning Coals / Semu
Eagle-from-the-Light
Black Foot
Mean Man / Howwallits
White Bull
(Josiah) Red Wolf
Rattle on Blanket / Lakochets Kunnin
Red Heart / Temme Ilppilp Chee-Nah
Dropping from a Cliff / Tenahtahkal Weyun
Stripes Turned Down / Ketalkpoosmin
Log / Weweetsa
Bighorn Bow / Tahwis Takaitat
No Heart / Zya Timenna
Grizzly Bear Youth / Hohots Elotoht
Ollokot / the Frog
Arrowhead / Etemiere Aihits Palojami / Fair Land
Red Elk
Toohoolhoolzote
Helping Another / Penahwenonmi
Pile of Clouds
Fire Body / Otstotpoo
Looking Glass / Alalmiatakanin
Bird Alighting / Peopeo Tholekt
White Bird
Red Spy / Seeyakoon Ilppilp / wife of Wahlitits—no recorded name
Swan Necklace / Wetyetmas Wahyakt
Grizzly Bear Blanket / Yoomstis Kunnin
Lone Bird / Peopeo Ipsewahk
Natalekin
About Asleep / Eelahweeman
Young White Bird
Dog / Jeekunkun
Suhm-Keen
Wahnistas Aswetesk
Sun Tied / Weyatnahtoo Latat
Calf of Leg / Pitpillooheen
Earth Blanket / Wattes Kunnin
Light in the Mountain / Espowyes Quiloishkish
Owhi (Yakima)
Horn Hide Dresser / Tepsus
Amos
Two Moons / Lepeet Hessemdooks
Going Out / Otskai
Kowtoliks
Five Fogs / Pahka Pahtahank
PALOUSE
Red Echo / Hahtalekin
Bald Head / Shorn Head / Huishuishkute
FLATHEAD
Chariot
Pierre
BANNOCK
Buffalo Horn
I would have given my own life I could have undone the killing of white men by my people. I blame young men and I blame the white men. I blame General Howard for not giving my people time to get their stock away from Wallowa. I do not acknowledge that he had the right to order me to leave Wallowa at any time. I deny that either my father or myself ever sold that land. It may never again be our home, but my father sleeps there, and I love it as I love my mother. I left there, hoping to avoid bloodshed.
—JOSEPH
The Rains encounter was a small but sweeping victory for the Nez Perces. Coming on the heels of their success over the army at White Bird Canyon, it had the effect of inspiring them to continue in their course. It impacted the army negatively, not only through the loss of Rains and his men, but it prevented Howard from attaining the upper hand in the war and ending it quickly, while simultaneously contributing to the building public skepticism about army capabilities.