Nez Perce War

Howard called it a decisive victory, and the count runs the other way: thirteen of his men were killed and twenty-seven wounded, against four Nimiipuu dead and six wounded. The men in the line were kept supplied by women carrying from the village behind them. What followed was a choice. At a council on July 15, marked by disagreement between Joseph and Looking Glass and mediated by White Bird, the bands accepted Looking Glass's plan to cross the Lolo Trail and seek refuge on the plains with their friends the Crow.

What the plaque says

Nez Perce War After the Clearwater battle on the heights above here, July 11-12, 1877, the Indians crossed the Lolo trail to Montana. Advancing northward along the high ground with 600 troops and artillery, General Howard found the Indian camp on the flat across the river. But 24 brave Indians blocked his advance, and 100 more pinned him in rifle pits for a day. Then the Indians, camp and all, moved slowly northward past Kamiah, while Howard followed without fighting. There the Indians decided to move east away from the troops. 259 Text prepared by the Idaho Historical Society Marker made & installed by Idaho Transportation Department

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Heart of the Monster — 9.6 mi
  Where the Nimiipuu say their story begins: Coyote, a monster, and the heart he tore loose, still on the Clearwater's bank.
• Weippe Prairie — 19 mi
  Where the Nimiipuu decided what to do with Clark's starving men, and fed them camas until they were sick.
• White Bird Battlefield — 25 mi
  Six Nimiipuu men rode out under a white flag. A shot came from the soldiers' side, and the Nez Perce War began.

More markers nearby

• Looking Glass — 4.2 mi
• Harpster — 6.2 mi
• Elk City Wagon Road — 6.2 mi
• Camas Prairie — 10 mi