Battle of Bear Paw
United States historic place / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Battle of Bear Paw (also sometimes called Battle of the Bears Paw or Battle of the Bears Paw Mountains) was the final engagement of the Nez Perce War of 1877. Following a 1,200-mile (1,900 km) running fight from north central Idaho Territory over the previous four months, the U.S. Army managed to corner most of the Nez Perce led by Chief Joseph in early October 1877 in northern Montana Territory, just 42 miles (68 km) south of the border with Canada, where the Nez Perce intended to seek refuge from persecution by the U.S. government.
Battle of Bear Paw | |||||||
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Part of the Nez Perce War | |||||||
Bear Paw Battlefield | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States of America | Nez Perce | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Nelson A. Miles Oliver Otis Howard |
Chief Joseph Looking Glass † Ollokot † White Bird Toohoolhoolzote † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
520 |
700 <200 warriors | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
24 dead 49 wounded (including 2 Indian scouts)[1] |
23 men and 2 women killed 46 wounded 431 surrendered or captured[1] |
Chief Joseph Battleground of the Bear's Paw | |
Nearest city | Chinook, Montana |
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Coordinates | 48°22′39″N 109°12′26″W |
Built | 1877 |
NRHP reference No. | 70000355 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 6, 1970[2] |
Designated NHL | June 7, 1988[3] |
Although some of the Nez Perce were able to escape to Canada, Chief Joseph was forced to surrender the majority of his followers to Brigadier General Oliver Howard and Colonel Nelson A. Miles on October 5. Today, the battlefield is part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.