During their epic flight from army troops the Nez Perce reached the Big Hole River in southwestern Montana on 6 August 1877. Believing they were temporarily safe from the pursuing soldiers, who were still far behind them, the Nez Perce decided to spend time there, resting up from the rigors of their flight. Unknown to the Indians, however, a second army column under Col. John Gibbon, commanding the District of Montana, was rapidly closing in. With a force of 150 troops from the Seventh Infantry, reinforced by 45 civilian volunteers, Gibbon reached the Big Hole Valley on 8 August, his approach unobserved.
Col. John Gibbon
From the book, Encyclopedia of Indian Wars, by Gregory F. Michno.
At dawn on 9 August Gibbon attacked, catching the Indians completely by surprise, and in a short time he had taken control of the village. The Nez Perce, having at first fled in disorder at the surprise attack, rallied and began to fight back, forcing Gibbon's troops to retire from the village and take up a defensive position. Pinned down for several hours, the soldiers suffered heavy casualties from the accurate Indian fire. Gibbon himself was badly wounded. On the afternoon of 10 August the Nez Perce, having derailed the army's pursuit, resumed their flight, leaving a few warriors behind to worry Gibbon's soldiers.
By the following day, the advance troops of Gen. O.O. Howard, whose command had been pursuing the Nez Perce across Idaho, arrived to relieve the besieged Gibbon, thereby bringing an official end to the fight. Army casualties amounted to 30 killed and 39 wounded. Estimates of Indian losses range from 40 to 80.
