When Howard arrived at Bear Paw on October 4, after the siege was already underway, he had to be resupplied and was with only a small retinue.

His army had been sent home.

Howard’s role at the actual surrender was largely ceremonial — he arrived after the hard work was done, accepted what Miles had accomplished, and received part of the credit in official accounts.

His relationship with the nimíipuu leaders was never repaired.

Joseph, in the years of exile, made a point of addressing his petitions to whoever was in a position to grant them — not to Howard specifically, but to the civilian authorities above the military.

White Bird, from Canada, would not have needed to address Howard at all.