Battle of the Clearwater

Battle of the Clearwater
Part of the Nez Perce War
DateJuly 11–12, 1877
Location46°4′42″N 115°58′17″W / 46.07833°N 115.97139°W / 46.07833; -115.97139
Result United States victory;
successful Nez Perce withdrawal
Belligerents
United States Army
and civilian volunteers
Nez Perce
Native American tribe
Commanders and leaders
Oliver Otis Howard Chief Joseph
Looking Glass
Toohoolhoolzote
Strength
440 soldiers, about 160 civilian volunteers and Indian scouts 200 warriors
Casualties and losses
15 dead, 25 wounded soldiers
2 dead, 1 wounded civilians[1]
4 dead, 6 wounded
Battle of the Clearwater is located in the United States
Battle of the Clearwater
Battle of the Clearwater is located in Idaho
Battle of the Clearwater

The Battle of the Clearwater (July 11–12, 1877) was a battle in the Idaho Territory between the Nez Perce under Chief Joseph and the United States Army. Under General O. O. Howard, the army surprised a Nez Perce village; the Nez Perce counter-attacked and inflicted significant casualties on the soldiers, but were forced to abandon the village.

After the battle, part of the Nez Perce War. the Nez Perce retreated east and crossed the Bitterroot Mountains via Lolo Pass into Montana Territory, with General Howard in pursuit.

  1. ^ Brown, Mark H. (1967). The Flight of the Nez Perce. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. p. 196.