Battle of the Big Hole

Overview

The Battle of the Big Hole was fought in Montana Territory, August 9–10, 1877, between the United States Army and the Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans during the Nez Perce War. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The Nez Perce withdrew in good order from the battlefield and continued their long fighting retreat that would result in their attempt to reach Canada and asylum.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of the Big Hole, fought in Montana Territory on August 9–10, 1877, was a significant engagement in the Nez Perce War, drawing forces of roughly comparable size on each side under commanders John Gibbon for the United States and Chief Joseph and Looking Glass for the Nez Perce. Both sides sustained heavy casualties. Despite the toll, the Nez Perce withdrew in good order, preserving the coherence of their force and continuing their long fighting retreat northward. The battle thus failed to break Nez Perce resistance; the tribe pressed on in its attempt to reach Canada and asylum, prolonging the conflict and underscoring the difficulty the United States Army faced in decisively ending the campaign.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)