Near Cottonwood, Idaho Territory, the Nez Perce, led by Chief Joseph, brushed aside the soldiers and continued their 1,170 miles (1,880 km) fighting retreat to cross the Rocky Mountains in an attempt to reach safety in Canada.

[1] After their victory at the Battle of White Bird Canyon on June 17, the Nez Perce crossed the Salmon River to escape General O. O. Howard, who was advancing on them with 400 soldiers.

"[4] After recrossing the Salmon and leaving Howard behind, the Nez Perce headed east across the Camas Prairie, having made the decision to flee into the Bitterroot Mountains.

In their path, stationed at Norton's Ranch (future Cottonwood) was Captain Stephen Whipple with 65 soldiers and several civilian volunteers.

For the remainder of the day, the soldiers stayed in their rifle pits while the Nez Perce sniped at them from long distance.

They attempted to reach the soldiers by breaking through the Nez Perce screen, but they had to take up a defensive position on a hilltop about one and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Cottonwood.

The Nez Perce continued their journey east unmolested for 25 miles (40 km), then paused to rest at the Clearwater River.