Truce or War
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 45° 46.961 W 116° 16.461
11T E 556408 N 5070158
The Truce or War sign on the White Bird Battlefield Trail.
Waymark Code: WMAM7K
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 01/28/2011
Views: 3
History sign about Truce or War is the second sign on the White Bird Battlefield Trail.
Marker Name: Truce or War
Marker Type: Roadside
Marker Text:
“Five warriors, led by wet’itwe’tit hawalis . . . had been sent out . . . as a peace party to meet the soldiers. Of course they carried a white flag. Peace might be made without fighting.” --- himin maqsmaqs (Yellow Wolf)
You are looking toward a ridge where the entire war might have been averted. Up this slope, a delegation of five Nez Perce carried a white flag toward the approaching cavalrymen. For unknown reasons, Ad Chapman, captain of the volunteers, fired two shots, and the Nez Perce, and the Nez Perce warriors returned fire. All chance of a negotiated truce ended at that moment.
Warriors were positioned in ravines and on hills around this site to defend the village. Within the first minute, otstotpoo (Fire Body) fired a long shot and killed Trumpeter John Jones, making it difficult for the officers to communicate commands down the line.
County: Idaho
Group Responsible for Placement: National Park Service
Marker Number: None
Web link(s) for additional information:
http://www.nps.gov/nepe/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=216011
City: Not listed
Date Dedicated: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
If possible please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location.
Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Idaho history please include that in your log.