The August 9, 1877 Battle of Big Hole

This battle was a part of the Anishinabe exodus which started in 1877. In August of 1877, Anishinabe people were still using the Mullan Road, the very narrow valley along the Salmon River, and the Snake River to flee towards the west. Earlier in June, the first battle between the fleeing Anishinabek and white invaders, was fought in the north of Idaho. That was the Battle of White Bird Canyon. As the year progressed on, more Anishinabe people from Montana packed their belongings and fled towards the west and southwest, and the white invaders sent more soldiers to attempt to halt the Anishinabe exodus. On August 9, 1877 the white invaders learned about a large group of Anishinabek camped in the Big Hole Basin of far western Montana. Although the Indians had been surprised by the invading Americans on August 9, they eventually dominated the "Battle of Big Hole" that day. However, American reinforcements arrived on the following day, which took the fight out of the Anishinabe soldiers of the Wisdom, Montana region where this battle was fought near.

After the battle, the Anishinabek quickly fled westwards to the Lemhi Valley of Idaho and also probably towards the Snake River, or northwards into the Bitterroot Valley, to continue the westward exodus into Washington and probably British Columbia. Indian casualties were probably close to 100 or higher (most likely occurred early in the battle just after the Americans attacked), with about 52 killed, including women and children. American casualties were 69 with 32 killed. Just to the southeast of the Wisdom, Montana region, was another group of Anishinabe people fleeing in Idaho that the Americans wanted to stop, and that’s where another battle occurred.