Walking Through History: Big Hole National Battlefield Nestled along the North Fork of the Big Hole River in southwestern Montana, Big Hole National Battlefield marks the site of a fierce confrontation between the Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Army on August 9–10, 1877. In a surprise dawn attack, soldiers descended upon a sleeping Nez Perce encampment of around 750 people—men, women, and children. Though badly outnumbered, the Nez Perce fought back vigorously, forcing the troops to retreat and entrench—and even momentarily capturing a U.S. howitzer. The battle ended the following day with both sides suffering heavy losses: between 60 and 90 Nez Perce and roughly 31 soldiers killed  . Today, the battlefield’s 3…