Battle of the Big Hole (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Battle of the Big Hole was a costly battle in the Montana Territory between the Nez Perce and United States army during the Nez Perce War of 1877. Colonel Gibbon, who was known to the Indians as "he who limps" due to an old Civil War wound, reached the Nez Perce camp on August 9 and in the early dawn he attacked. Looking Glass, Toohulhulzote, and Ollicot (the war chiefs), believing that they were far enough away from Howard to be out of harm's way, had not bothered to post sentries around their camp. Gibbon's attack took the Nez Perce by complete surprise and threw the camp into complete confusion. Caught in their tipis, the women and children suffered greatly. The Nez Perce were routed and lost their camp in just 20 minutes. Gibbon attempted to pursue the warriors across the river, but Looking Glass and Joseph regrouped the warriors and in hand-to-hand fighting managed to bring Gibbon to a standstill.