Near Laurel in Yellowstone County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Battle of Canyon Creek
September 13, 1877
Photographed By Connor Olson, August 19, 2018
1. Battle of Canyon Creek Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Canyon Creek. September 13, 1877. In the distance the US Army troops were approaching at a gallop in pursuit of the Nez Perce. After fleeing for 26 miles, the Nez Perce chose this place to make a stand because of the canyon mouth offering natural defenses. Positioned high on the slopes and on top of both buttes, Indian snipers kept the soldiers pinned down while the women, children, and elders escaped up the draw.
The Nez Perce were familiar with this traditional route up to the Buffalo plains. Once again during their three-month-long flight they are able to use knowledge of the terrain and accurate marksmanship to hamper the army’s pursuit. Yet the Nez Perce remained on the run.
In the distance the US Army troops were approaching at a gallop in pursuit of the Nez Perce. After fleeing for 26 miles, the Nez Perce chose this place to make a stand because of the canyon mouth offering natural defenses. Positioned high on the slopes and on top of both buttes, Indian snipers kept the soldiers pinned down while the women, children, and elders escaped up the draw.
The Nez Perce were familiar with this traditional route up to the Buffalo plains. Once again during their three-month-long flight they are able to use knowledge of the terrain and accurate marksmanship to hamper the army’s pursuit. Yet the Nez Perce remained on the run.
Erected by USDI National Park Service.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian.
Location. 45° 46.545′ N, 108° 47.759′ W. Marker is near Laurel, Montana, in Yellowstone County. Memorial is at the intersection of Lipp Road and Buffalo Trail Road, on the right when traveling north on Lipp Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Laurel MT 59044, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Visit Canyon Creek. (Submitted on August 2, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.)
Photographed By Connor Olson, August 19, 2018
2. Battle of Canyon Creek Marker
Buttes where the Nez Perce sniped from
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
