Looking Glass (Native American leader) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Looking Glass
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Allalimya Takanin
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Looking Glass, Nez Perce leader
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| Nez Perce leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1832 Montana |
| Died | October 5, 1877 (aged 44–45) Bear's Paw Mountains battlefield |
| Known for | Nez Perce War |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | Bear Paw |
Looking Glass (whose real name was Allalimya Takanin) was a very important leader of the Nez Perce people. He was born around 1832 and died in 1877. Looking Glass was known for planning many of the fighting moves used by the Nez Perce during the Nez Perce War in 1877.
He worked with another famous leader, Chief Joseph. Together, they led their people on a long journey in 1877. They traveled from eastern Oregon through Montana, trying to reach the border with Canada. Looking Glass was the chief of the Alpowai band of the Nez Perce. This group lived near the Clearwater River in Idaho. He got his name from his father, who was also a respected chief. His father's name meant "Looking Glass Around Neck."
Contents
The Nez Perce War: A Fight for Land
Looking Glass did not like how white settlers were moving onto his people's land. However, he did not want to go to war with the United States government. The government wanted all Nez Perce people to move to a smaller area called an Indian reservation near Lapwai, Idaho. Looking Glass's village, with about 140 people, was already inside this reservation.
But General Oliver Otis Howard heard that Looking Glass might join Chief Joseph. Chief Joseph's group was refusing to move to the reservation. So, General Howard sent 66 soldiers, led by Captain Stephen Girard Whipple, to arrest Looking Glass.
The Attack on Looking Glass's Village
On July 1, the soldiers arrived at Looking Glass's village. Someone fired a shot, and then the soldiers started shooting at the village with powerful Gatling guns. Looking Glass and most of his people managed to escape. But the soldiers destroyed their village and all their belongings.
After this attack, Looking Glass and his followers joined Chief Joseph's group. This made their total number about 800 people, including men, women, and children.
The Long Retreat
Looking Glass convinced the group to travel east across the Bitterroot Mountains. This started a three-month journey where they fought and retreated for about 1,400 miles. Because of his experience, Looking Glass became a very important leader in their battles.
However, his standing was hurt when the U.S. army surprised the Nez Perce at the Battle of the Big Hole.
Seeking Safety and the Final Battle
Looking Glass wanted the Nez Perce to go east and find safety with the Crow nation in Montana. He had helped the Crow defeat the Dakota Sioux in 1874 and thought they were friends. But the Crow people were afraid of the U.S. military. They refused to help the Nez Perce.
The Nez Perce, still being chased by the army, then turned north. They hoped to reach safety in Canada. But on September 29, 1877, they were surrounded. They were only about 40 miles from Canada in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana.
After a five-day siege and the Battle of Bear Paw, Chief Joseph suggested surrendering. But White Bird and Looking Glass did not want to give up. They and their groups tried to break through the army's lines. They wanted to continue to Canada and join the Lakota leader Sitting Bull.
White Bird and 150 Nez Perce people made it to Canada. But Looking Glass was killed by a Cheyenne scout who worked for the U.S. Army. Chief Joseph gave his famous surrender speech later that day, October 5. In his speech, he mentioned that Looking Glass was dead.
Legacy: Remembering Looking Glass
On July 1, 2000, 123 years after the attack on his village, the Nez Perce people honored Looking Glass. They opened a nature trail at the site of his village and put up a special marker three years later. Also, in 1971, a fishing area north of Florence, Montana, was named after him.
See also
In Spanish: Jefe Looking Glass para niños
