Battle of the Clearwater

Battle of the Clearwater
Part of the Nez Perce War
Date July 11–12, 1877 Location (Stites) Idaho County, Idaho Territory, U.S. 46°4′42″N 115°58′17″W / 46.07833°N 115.97139°W / 46.07833; -115.97139 Result United States victory; successful Nez Perce withdrawal
Belligerents
United States Army and civilian volunteers	Nez Perce Native American tribe
Commanders and leaders
Oliver Otis Howard	Chief Joseph Looking Glass Toohoolhoolzote
Strength
440 soldiers, about 160 civilian volunteers and Indian scouts	200 warriors
Casualties and losses
15 dead, 25 wounded soldiers 2 dead, 1 wounded civilians[1]	4 dead, 6 wounded
class=notpageimage| Location in the United States Show map of the United States class=notpageimage| Location in Idaho Show map of Idaho

The Battle of the Clearwater (July 11–12, 1877) was a battle in the Idaho Territory between the Nez Perce under Chief Joseph and the United States Army. Under General O. O. Howard, the army surprised a Nez Perce village; the Nez Perce counter-attacked and inflicted significant casualties on the soldiers, but were forced to abandon the village.

After the battle, part of the Nez Perce War. the Nez Perce retreated east and crossed the Bitterroot Mountains via Lolo Pass into Montana Territory, with General Howard in pursuit.