Near Wisdom in Beaverhead County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

A Perfect Place to Rest

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

1. A Perfect Place to Rest Marker

Caption: (bottom) Diagram of the action on August 9, 1877.

Inscription. Pursued by the U.S. Army since June 1877, approximately 800 Nez Perce (nimi•pu•) men, women, and children traveled over the Bitterroot Mountains and camped here in the Big Hole Valley. Thinking there was no immediate pursuit by the Army, this familiar site was a perfect place to rest.
As dawn broke on the morning of August 9, 1877 the 7th Infantry lead by Colonel John Gibbon, attacked. Nez Perce warriors rallied and fought back. The overwhelmed soldiers withdrew to the grove of trees on your right. Warriors surrounded the soldiers as Nez Perce survivors hurried out of the Big Horn Valley. In less than 24 hours this tranquil setting became a scene of chaos and terror. Now considered sacred ground; this is the final resting place for many of those who lost their lives.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 1877.

Location. 45° 38.946′ N, 113° 39.06′ W. Marker is near Wisdom, Montana, in Beaverhead County. Marker can be reached from Park Entrance Road near State Highway 43, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16425 Montana Highway 43, Wisdom MT 59761, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within

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17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Siege Site (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brave Warriors (about 600 feet away); Big Hole National Battlefield Monument (about 700 feet away); Battlefield Landscape (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Story of Fires... to be continued (approx. 6.3 miles away); Natural Travel Corridor (approx. 7.8 miles away); Big Hole Valley (approx. 16.1 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker is located on the Siege Area Trail in Big Hole National Battlefield.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 12, 2018

2. A Perfect Place to Rest Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.