The Battle of Bear Paw was the final engagement of the Nez Perce War of 1877. Following a 1,200-mile (1,900 km) running fight from north central Idaho Territory over the previous four months, the U.S. Army managed to corner most of the Nez Perce led by Chief Joseph in early October 1877 in northern Montana Territory, just 42 miles (68 km) south of the border with Canada, where the Nez Perce intended to seek refuge from persecution by the U.S. government.
Bear Paw Battlefield
General Nelson A. Miles General Miles charging the Indian camp, the dash into the ravine
Chief Joseph's hunting rifle, donated to Chilocco Indian Agricultural School in 1885
Chief Joseph three weeks after his surrender in October 1877
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
Idaho Territory
Seal of the Idaho Territory, 1863–1866
Entrance to the Old Penitentiary