James Kipp Recreation Area
Although steamboats could travel as far up the Missouri River as Fort Benton during spring runoff, the lower water of summer and fall meant that Cow Island, near where Cow Creek joins the Missouri River, was the farthest upstream boats could run. Freight was off-loaded at Cow Island and stored beside a bluff in an open-air depot. Fifty tons of government and commercial freight lay under tarpaulins at the landing awaiting shipment.
After passing through the Judith Basin the Nez Perce approached the Missouri River (which they called Seloselo Wejanwais, colored paint, or Attish Pah, place of the Cave of Red Paint) and the supply depot at Cow Island. There they crossed the river and moved two miles upstream to make camp. Two of the Nez Perce then approached the depot to ask for food. Their encounter, begun peaceably, soon degenerated to a point where the Nez Perce realized the only way they would get the supplies they needed was to take them by force.
Things went along for a while quietly till we saw an Indian coming between our breastworks and the foot hills stripped naked, when we know this means fight. Having previously distributed the ammunition and giving each man his place, we were standing around and taking our supper as I jokingly remarked to the men that this might be their last sow belly and hard tack, when without any warning they commenced to fire from the hills, the balls going in every direction between us but luckily nobody was hurt. This was sun down and from that time on till day break we were fighting for our lives. Of course the freight we could not save as it was piled right up against the bluff. The agent had a hospital tent there for his quarters with 500 sacks of bacon piled against it, which they set on fire that lit the country up for miles…. They charged us three times during the night through high willows, impossible to see any one.
– Sergeant William Moelchert
After defeating the small guard at Cow Island, the Nez Perces had a picnic helping themselves to all the stores. They loaded every pack-horse they had with the best of groceries and canned goods, and for many miles up Cow Creek and Bull Creek we could trail them by the packages of finecut tobacco, beans and coffee that had trickled and dripped off their packs.
– John W. Redington (scout)
We took whatever we needed, flour, sugar, coffee, bacon, and beans. Anything whoever wanted it. Some took pans and pots for the cooking. We figured it was soldier supplies, so set fire to what we did not take. We had privilege to do this. It was in the war.
– Peopeo Tholekt (Bird Alighting)
