The Nez Perce Conflict of 1877

Two days after the panels' trading post, on September 23, 1877, the bands reached the Missouri at Cow Island. Low water had stranded about fifty tons of freight there, guarded by a sergeant, a dozen soldiers and a few civilians. The Nimiipuu asked for food and offered to pay. When the sergeant turned away, they pinned the guard in its rifle pits after dark and took and burned the stores. Up Cow Creek they caught a bull train and turned back Major Guido Ilges's volunteers. Five men were killed; at least 85 tons of supplies were lost.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Lewistown Army Airfield — steps away
• The Judith Basin Country — steps away
• Lewistown — 3.8 mi
• The Queen of the Judith Basin — 10 mi