The Battle of the Big Hole was a costly battle between the Nez Percé and The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America¹, the States, or (archaically) Columbia — is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ...United States army during the Nez Percé War of 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...1877.

Background

Chief Joseph (1840 _ September 21, 1904) was a Nez Perce Chief, humanitarian, and peacemaker, best known for his principled resistance to the U.S. governments attempts to force the Nez Perce onto a reservation. ...Chief Joseph had lead his people on an amazing trek from the For the river in New Zealand, see Clearwater River, New Zealand For the river in Alberta, Canada, see Clearwater River, Alberta For the river in Saskatchewan, Canada, see Clearwater River, Saskatchewan The Clearwater River is a river in northern Idaho that flows from the Idaho_Montana border westward to join...Clearwater Valley in State nickname: Beaver State Other U.S. States Capital Salem Largest city Portland Governor Ted Kulongoski Official languages None Area 255,026 km² (9th)  _ Land 248,849 km²  _ Water 6,177 km² (2. ...Oregon to the The Big Hole River The Big Hole River is a tributary of the Jefferson River, approximately 142 mi (229 km) long, in southwestern Montana in the United States. ...Big Hole River in This article is about the state. ...Montana. General Portrait of Oliver O. Howard by Mathew Brady, ca. ...Oliver Otis Howard had set out after the Nez Percé on July 30 is the 211th day (212th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 154 days remaining. ...July 30. He had telegraphed ahead for forces to intercept Joseph's warriors. The Nez Percé had gone without shelter since the Battle of the Clearwater one month earlier. So Chief Looking Glass finally persuaded Joseph to let the weary Nez Percé rest in the The Big Hole River The Big Hole River is a tributary of the Jefferson River, approximately 142 mi (229 km) long, in southwestern Montana in the United States. ...Big Hole Basin, believing they were far enough away from Howard's army. The talking wire — the Nez Percé term for the Telegraphy (from the Greek words tele = far away and grapho = write) is the long distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters, originally over wire. ...telegraph — was still an unknown concept to them, so they were unaware of a force of about 200 soldiers marching to their camp under Colonel John Gibbon, who had received Howard's telegraph.

The Battle

Colonel Gibbon, who was known to the Indians as "he who limps" due to an old The American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the United States – forces coming mostly from the 23 northern states of the Union – and the newly-formed Confederate States of America, which consisted of 11 southern states that had declared their secession. ...Civil War wound, reached the Nez Percé camp on August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. ...August 9 and in the early dawn he attacked. Joseph, believing that as he was far enough away from Howard to be out of harm's way, had not bothered to post sentries around his camp. Gibbon's attack took the Nez Percé by complete surprise and threw the camp into complete confusion. Caught in their Categories: Stub | Buildings and structures | Survival skills ...tipis, the women and children suffered greatly. Joseph was routed and lost his camp in just 20 minutes. Gibbon attempeted to pursue the warriors across the river, but This article is about the Strategic Commands Airborne Nuclear Command Post. ...Looking Glass and Chief Joseph (1840 _ September 21, 1904) was a Nez Perce Chief, humanitarian, and peacemaker, best known for his principled resistance to the U.S. governments attempts to force the Nez Perce onto a reservation. ...Joseph regrouped the warriors and in hand_to_hand fighting managed to bring Gibbon to a stand still. Nez Percé sharpshooters inflicted heavy losses on the soldiers and Gibbon withdrew from his position and became pinned down in a wooded area near the camp. Gibbon sent messages out to Howard for reinforcements. The next morning, August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...August 10, a mountain Loading a WW1 British 15 in (381 mm) howitzer 155 mm M198 Howitzer A howitzer or hauwitzer is a type of field artillery. ...howitzer was brought up but Gibbon's men were only able to fire one shot before the warriors captured and dismantled it. They also captured Gibbon's supply train but the soldiers were able to recover it before long. The battle continued with neither side gaining an advantage. Joseph lit the prairie grass on fire to cover an attack but the fire burned out before his warriors could make an advance. Gibbon himself was wounded in the leg and the Nez Percé changed Gibbon's nickame to "he who limps twice". Howard's forces began arriving on the battlefield and drove off the remainder of Joseph's sharpshooters. Joseph withdrew from the battle carrying his dead and wounded.

Aftermath

The Battle of the Big Hole was a costly battle for both sides. Gibbon's force who suffered almost 70 casualties was unfit to pursue the Nez Percé. Joseph had also suffered greatly, he lost 87 men, women and children during the battle. Many of the losses were indeed warriors, but Joseph could hardly afford to lose them. The Nez Percé crossed the mountains into State nickname: Gem State Other U.S. States Capital Boise Largest city Boise Governor Dirk Kempthorne Official languages none Area 216,632 km² (14th)  - Land 214,499 km²  - Water 2,133 km² (0. ...Idaho and soon into State nickname: Equality State Other U.S. States Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Governor Dave Freudenthal Official languages English Area 253,554 km² (10th)  _ Land 251,706 km²  _ Water 1,851 km² (0. ...Wyoming. Howard's forces, which had just arrived on the battlefield, immediately took up the pursuit and followed Joseph towards Yellowstone National Park is a U.S. National Park located in the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. ...Yellowstone.

The battlefield is preserved in the Big Hole National Battlefield unit of the Nez Percé National Historical Park

See Also

• Chief Joseph (1840 - September 21, 1904) was a Nez Perce Chief, humanitarian, and peacemaker, best known for his principled resistance to the U.S. governments attempts to force the Nez Perce onto a reservation. ...Chief Joseph
• Nez Percé Wars
• Nez Percé National Historical Park

Sources

• Dillon, Richard H. North American Indian Wars (1983)
• Greene, Jerome A. Nez Perce Summer, 1877 (2000)
• http://www.friendsnezpercebattlefields.org/The-nez-perce-battles.htm