Near the base of this hill, the opening battle of the Nez Perce War ended in disaster for more than 100 cavalrymen and volunteers. After rushing from Grangeville on the evening of June 16, 1877, Captain David Perry planned to stop the Indians from crossing Salmon River to safety from pursuit. At daylight the next morning, he headed down the ravine below. Some sixty to eighty Indians wiped out a third of his force, and the survivors retired in disorder. No Indians were killed.