We will stand our ground!

Striking on the run, the U.S. Army planned to surprise and overwhelm the Nez Perce camp, but along this ridge Nez Perce warriors fought back fiercely and stopped the cavalry charge. The surprise attack was blunted, but the Nez Perce were pinned down, and the battle became a siege. For the first time in their journey, the Nez Perce were unable to escape. The Seventh Cavalry, by order of Colonel Myles, charged the village as hundreds of soldiers moved forward at the trot, then the gallop, with two wide, circling wings surrounding the camp.

Montana · United States