Battle of Canyon Creek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Canyon Creek
Part of the Nez Perce War
Chief Joseph and his band in the spring of 1877.
Date September 13, 1877 Location Canyon Creek, Yellowstone County, Montana Territory, United States 45°46′09″N 108°48′49″W / 45.76917°N 108.81361°W / 45.76917; -108.81361 (Calamity Jane Horse Cache Butte) Result Nez Perce victory
Belligerents
United States Crow Indians	Nez Perce
Commanders and leaders
Samuel D. Sturgis Lewis Merrill Frederick Benteen	Chief Joseph Looking Glass
Strength
425 soldiers about 100 White and Indian scouts	<200
Casualties and losses
4 killed 11 wounded	3 killed 3 wounded

The U.S. army and cavalry fought on the ridges bordering Canyon Creek while the women, children, and horse herd of the Nez Perce escaped via the valley floor.

The Battle of Canyon Creek was a fight between the Nez Perce Native American people and the United States Army. It happened in Montana Territory on September 13, 1877. This battle was part of the larger Nez Perce War. It took place near what is now Billings, in the canyons and hills around Canyon Creek.

Why the Battle Happened

The Nez Perce route (red) from Yellowstone Park to Canyon Creek and the route of General Howard (purple) and Colonel Sturgis (dotted purple).

In June 1877, several Nez Perce groups faced a big problem. The U.S. government wanted them to move from their homes in Oregon to a reservation in Idaho Territory. The Nez Perce did not want to leave their traditional lands.

So, they decided to escape. They traveled east through Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Their goal was to cross the Rocky Mountains and find a new, peaceful home. By September, they had traveled almost 1,000 miles. They had also fought several battles against the U.S. Army. In these fights, they often won or held their ground.

The Nez Perce hoped to find safety with their friends, the Crow Indians. The Crow lived near the Yellowstone River. However, the Crow worried about angering the U.S. Army. They refused to help the Nez Perce. Some Crow warriors even joined the army as scouts. They hoped to capture the large Nez Perce horse herd.

At this point, the Nez Perce realized their only hope was to reach Canada. They planned to join the Sioux leader Sitting Bull, who was about 250 miles north.

The Army's Pursuit

After leaving Yellowstone National Park, the Nez Perce avoided Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis's soldiers. They followed the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River north into Montana. Brigadier General Oliver Otis Howard had been chasing the Nez Perce for three months. He ordered Sturgis to keep going after them.

Sturgis had 360 soldiers in six cavalry companies. General Howard sent 50 more cavalrymen to help Sturgis. He also sent two mountain cannons, 25 white scouts, and some Bannock and Crow scouts. Howard and his own tired soldiers would follow a few days later.

The Battle at Canyon Creek

The Yellowstone River has tall cliffs on its north side. Canyon Creek was the only way through these cliffs. About 5 miles from the Yellowstone River, the cliffs get closer. The creek splits into three narrow canyons. These canyons are only a few hundred feet wide. They are separated by steep, flat-topped ridges that are 300 to 500 feet high. The battle happened among these canyons and ridges.

On September 12, the Nez Perce camped near the entrance to Canyon Creek. The next morning, September 13, many Nez Perce warriors were away. They were raiding ranches for supplies and horses. Suddenly, they realized Sturgis's army was very close. They had not expected the army to catch them so quickly.

Sturgis's men were tired and hoped for a rest. But Crow scouts reported that the Nez Perce were moving up Canyon Creek. Sturgis saw a chance to attack. He sent Major Lewis Merrill and his soldiers ahead. They went onto a long ridge to block the Nez Perce. Captain Frederick Benteen's soldiers followed.

Merrill's soldiers stopped on the ridge because of rifle shots from Nez Perce warriors. A civilian scout named Stanton G. Fisher said Merrill's soldiers got off their horses instead of charging. According to Yellow Wolf, a single Nez Perce warrior, Teeto Hoonod, held up the army for ten crucial minutes. He fired 40 accurate shots from behind a rock. The soldiers were careful because the Nez Perce were known for being good fighters and shooters. Strong winds also made it hard to shoot accurately, which explains why few people were hurt on both sides.

When Sturgis arrived, he thought he could capture the Nez Perce horse herd. He sent Captain Benteen to the left to block the canyon exits. This would trap the Nez Perce women, children, and horses. Merrill was told to move into the canyon to attack the back of the Nez Perce group. But more Nez Perce warriors fired at his soldiers from a distance. He only managed to capture a few horses. Benteen also met resistance. He could not stop the horse herd because the Nez Perce held the high ground. A group of Nez Perce warriors fought the soldiers until nightfall. Most of their horse herd, women, and children reached the open plains and continued north.

Fisher and others were unhappy with Sturgis's careful way of fighting. Fisher was even more upset when he returned to camp. He found that the Crow scouts had stolen his pack animals, clothes, and bedding.

Continuing the Chase

The next day, Sturgis's men were joined by many more Crow warriors. There were between 50 and 200 of them, riding fresh horses. They went ahead with Bannock scouts. In a small fight, they managed to steal about 400 Nez Perce horses.

Sturgis and his cavalry followed. They traveled 37 miles that day. But their horses became very tired. The Crow and Bannock scouts would not share the captured horses with the soldiers. After another long day, Sturgis could not catch the Nez Perce. He had to stop at the Musselshell River. He waited for supplies and for General Howard and his men, who arrived two days later.

After the Battle

The Nez Perce successfully held off and escaped from the U.S. Army. The army had at least twice as many soldiers. However, losing about 400 horses to the Crow scouts was a big problem. It made their remaining horses even more tired. It also slowed their journey toward Canada. They also used up much of their precious ammunition.

The Crow's actions were a blow to the Nez Perce's spirits. After three months of fighting and retreating, they were very tired.

Sturgis's army had three soldiers killed and eleven wounded. One of the wounded later died. Martha Jane Cannary, known as "Calamity Jane," helped as a nurse. She traveled with the wounded by boat down the Yellowstone River. Sturgis claimed his soldiers killed sixteen Nez Perce. But Yellow Wolf said the Nez Perce lost only one warrior and two old men, killed by the Crow. He said three Nez Perce were wounded by the soldiers.

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry praised the bravery of Lieutenants William Jones Nicholson, George D. Wallace, and John Chowning Gresham. Captain Benteen officially praised them in his report.

Who Fought in the Battle

Nez Perce Forces

United States Army Forces

On September 13, 1877, Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis was in command.