Elements of the Seventh and First Cavalry and the Fourth Artillery, commanded by Col. Samuel Sturgis, fought the Nez Perce, led by Chief Joseph, in the Canyon Creek area as the Nez Perce escaped from their reservation and fled toward Canada. After crossing the Yellowstone River east of Laurel, the Nez Perce burned a stage station on Canyon Creek and cut spokes from a stagecoach's wheels for use as quirt handles. They then proceeded to this point, where they met and fought Sturgis's command in the area south of this point, with casualties of three dead and eleven wounded.