Big Sky Blog

July 21, 1877

Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce, having been driven out of their homeland, the Wallowa Valley in Oregon, enter Montana Territory at Lolo Pass in the Bitterroot Range. The Nez Perce, having already defeated the military at the Battle of White Bird Canyon, on June 17, are attempting to reach the plains east of the Continental Divide and then head north for refuge in Canada.
The Nez Perce are relentlessly pursued by the military.

From Montana Dateline by Ellis Roberts Parry.