Battle of Canyon Creek

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Date	Summer, 1877
Location	Canyon Creek, Montana
Result	Nez Perce victory but lost 900 of 2,000 horses

Belligerents

United States of America

Crow Indians

Nez Percé

Commanders

Samuel D. Sturgis
Lewis Merrill
Frederick Benteen

Chief Joseph
Chief Looking Glass

Strength

350

Casualties and losses

3 killed
11 wounded

1 killed
3 wounded

v • d • e Nez Perce War

White Bird Canyon – Clearwater – Big Hole – Camas Creek – Canyon Creek – Bear Paw

The Battle of Canyon Creek was an 1877 military conflict between the Nez Perce Indians and the United States 7th Cavalry. The battle was part of the larger Indian Wars of the latter 19th Century and the immediate Nez Perce War. It took place near Yellowstone National Park on the banks of Canyon Creek.

The battle started after the Nez Perce led by Chief Looking Glass and Chief Joseph, abducted tourists at Yellowstone National Park while looking for refuge following their military victory at Big Hole. Two of the tourists were killed and others were badly injured. The United States Army quickly telegraphed General Samuel D. Sturgis after the killings, prompting Sturgis to charge to position east of Yellowstone along with 22 companies of the 7th Cavalary including veterans of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Meanwhile, Looking Glass sent out envoys to search for allies among the Crow Indians. The envoys returned with news that the Crows had complied with the United States and would not give refuge. Reacting to the news, Looking Glass sent the envoys to Canada to seek safety with the tribes of Sitting Bull.

Sturgis and his men searched for the Nez Perce who were reported to have left the park and making their way toward Canyon Creek. The cavalry charged toward the banks of the creek as the Nez Perce looked on and put forth their warriors to defend their camp at the creek. They used the banks described by Sturgis as "from 10 to 20 feet high" as a firing ridge on the oncoming soldiers. Major Lewis Merrill was sent by Sturgis with two companies to begin the fight. His men fired upon the Nez Perce who fired back and held Merrill from crossing the ridgeline. Sturgis sent Captain Frederick Benteen who had previously been second-in-command of the 7th Cavalry at Little Bighorn, to patrol the left side ahead of the retreating Nez Perce to open up the canyon entrance and cut off the horse herd. The Nez Perce caught sight of Benteen who was forced to stop and fight. Merrill was sent to help Benteen but the Captain was far ahead chasing away the Indians. In the end, 400 of the Nez Perce's slowest animals were rounded up by the helping Crow.

Back at the ridgeline, Benteen was given the assignment of clearing away the Nez Perce snipers. Receiving approaching rifle fire, he looked for help from Merrill. Merrill's command charged into the canyon but were eventually forced to retreat to the canyon mouth. Once there it was noted that all the Nez Perce were gone. Sturgis set up a hospital at this point. The Nez Perce escaped and were chased by the Crow who could not catch them after 40 miles because of the rigors put on the horses. Returning to camp the soldiers slaughtered the tired horses and had a feast. They decided to give up the hunt of the Nez Perce who moved away north toward Canada. However the Nez Perce War continued with the Battle of Bear Paw.