2. In the summer of 1877, in consequence of a threatened reduction in
the wages of railway employes, occurred what is known as the GREAT
RAILROAD STRIKE. On the 16th of July, the workmen of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad left their posts and gathered such strength in Baltimore
and at Martinsburg, West Virginia, as to prevent the running of
trains. The militia was called out by Governor Matthews, but was soon
dispersed by the strikers. The President then ordered General French
to the scene with a body of regulars, and the blockade of the road was
raised.
3. Meanwhile, the trains had been stopped on all the important roads
between the Hudson and the Mississippi, and business was paralyzed. In
Pittsburgh the strikers, rioters, and dangerous classes, gathering in
a mob to the number of twenty thousand, held, for two days, a reign of
terror unparalleled in the history of the country. The insurrection
was finally suppressed by the regular troops and the Pennsylvania
militia, but not until nearly one hundred lives, and property to the
value of more than three millions of dollars, had been lost. Riots also
occurred, or were threatened, at Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco,
Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne. By the
close of the month, the alarming insurrection was at an end.
[Sidenote: =Nez Percé War.=]
4. In the spring of 1877 a war broke out with the Nez Percé Indians of
Idaho. The national authorities in 1854 purchased a part of the Nez
Percé territory, large reservations being made in northwestern Idaho
and northeastern Oregon, but some of the chiefs refused to ratify the
compact, and remained at large. This was the beginning of difficulties.
5. The war began with the usual depredations by the Indians. General
Howard marched against them with a small force of regulars; but the Nez
Percés, led by their noted chieftain Joseph, fled. During the greater
part of summer the pursuit continued. In the fall they were chased
through the mountains into northern Montana, where they were confronted
by other troops commanded by Colonel Miles.
6. The Nez Percés were next driven across the Missouri River, and were
finally surrounded in their camp north of the Bear Paw Mountains. Here,
on the 4th of October, they were attacked, and completely routed by
the forces of Colonel Miles. Only a few, led by the chief White Bird,
escaped. Three hundred and seventy-five of the captive Nez Percés were
brought back to the American post on the Missouri.
[Sidenote: =Remonetization of Silver.=]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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