the Nez Perce retreated east and crossed the Bitterroot Mountains via Lolo Pass into Montana Territory, with General Howard in pursuit.

With Howard in pursuit, but several days behind, Joseph, 600 Nez Perce and their more than 2,000 livestock brushed aside a small U.S. military force at the Battle of Cottonwood (July 3–5), and continued eastward for another 25 miles (40 km).

They established a camp in the steep-walled valley of the South Fork of the Clearwater River, north of present-day Stites.

[3] On July 8, a company of 75 civilian volunteers under Edward McConville, found the Nez Perce camp and reported its location to General Howard.

The Nez Perce discovered the volunteers the next morning and attacked them, forcing them to take refuge on a hilltop and exchanging long-distance fire with them.

"[9] The old warrior Toohoolhoolzote and 24 Nez Perce, including Yellow Wolf, rode to the top of the ridge to contest the advance of Howard.

[11] Howard prepared an attack on the Nez Perce left flank by Captain Marcus Miller and his battalion.

Miller moved forward to protect the pack train and, taking advantage of his advanced position, he suddenly ordered a charge on the Nez Perce.

The Nez Perce retreated and soon were in full flight as Howard's men advanced all along his lines and into the village near the river.

On July 15, Howard received the surprising message that Joseph and his band wished to surrender, while Looking Glass, White Bird, and Toohoolhoolzote planned to continue eastward to November.

[15] An irony was that 72 years earlier the Nez Perce had greeted in friendship the half-starved Lewis and Clark Expedition on Weippe Prairie.

On July 16, the main body of the Nez Perce departed Weippe Prairie on the arduous Lolo Trail through 120 miles (200 km.)

They reappeared on the Montana side of the Lolo Pass on July 25, having accomplished the difficult passage with relative ease.