Looking Glass | |
|---|---|
Allalimya Takanin | |
 Looking Glass, Nez Perce leader | |
| Nez Perce leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1832 |
| Died | October 5, 1877(1877-10-05) (aged 44–45) Bear's Paw Mountains battlefield |
| Known for | Nez Perce War |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | Bear Paw |
Looking Glass (Allalimya Takanin c. 1832–1877) was a principalNez Perce architect of many of the military strategies employed by the Nez Perce during theNez Perce War of 1877. He, along withChief Joseph, directed the 1877 retreat from easternOregon intoMontana and onward toward theCanada–US border during theNez Perce War.[1] He led the Alpowai band of the Nez Perce, which included the communities of Asotin, Alpowa, and Sapachesap along theClearwater River in Idaho. He inherited his name from his father, the prominent Nez Percé chiefApash Wyakaikt ("Flint Necklace") orIppakness Wayhayken ("Looking Glass Around Neck") and was therefore called by the whitesLooking Glass.
Although he disliked white encroachments on his ancestral lands, Looking Glass opposed going to war with theUnited States over its plans to force all the Nez Perce onto the reducedIndian reservation assigned to them atLapwai, Idaho. His village of about 140 people was already within the bounds of the reservation on the site of the present-dayKooskia National Fish Hatchery in Idaho.[2] However, GeneralOliver Otis Howard believed reports that Looking Glass planned to join the Nez Perce led byChief Joseph, who resisted moving to the reservation, and sent a military force of 66 men under CaptainStephen Whipple to arrest Looking Glass. Whipple and his men arrived at the village on July 1. After a random shot was fired by an unknown party, the soldiers opened fire on the village withGatling guns. Looking Glass and most of his band escaped, but the village and property was destroyed by the soldiers.[3]
After the attack, Looking Glass and his followers joined Joseph's band, raising the total number of the group to about 800 men, women, and children. Looking Glass persuaded the others to flee eastwards across theBitterroot Mountains, thus beginning a three-month, 1,400 miles (2,300 km) fighting retreat. Because of his experience, Looking Glass became perhaps the most important battle leader of the Nez Perce. His prestige, however, was diminished when he allowed the Nez Perce to be surprised by the U.S. army at theBattle of the Big Hole.[3]
Looking Glass encouraged the Nez Perce to travel east and seek sanctuary with theCrow nation in Montana.[3] He had helped the Crow defeat theDakota Sioux in a battle in 1874 and considered them friends. However, the Crow, fearing retaliation by the U.S. military, refused to grant the Nez Perce sanctuary. The Nez Perce, pursued by the army, then turned north to attempt reaching safety in Canada. However, on September 29, 1877, they were surrounded 40 miles (64 km) short of Canada in theBear Paw Mountains of Montana. After the five-day siege and theBattle of Bear Paw Chief Joseph proposed surrender.White Bird and Looking Glass opposed the surrender and they and their bands attempted to break through the siege and continue on to Canada and join theLakota leaderSitting Bull. White Bird and 150 Nez Perce succeeded but Looking Glass was killed by aCheyenne scout employed by the Army. Joseph's famous surrender speech later that same day, October 5, mentioned that Looking Glass was dead.[4]
On July 1, 2000, 123 years after the attack on Looking Glass's village, the Nez Perce dedicated a nature trail on the site, and three years later put up a commemorative marker. A fishing area three miles north ofFlorence, Montana, was dedicated to him also, in 1971.[5]
