Nez Perce people
The Battle of Cottonwood was a series of engagements July 3–5, 1877 in the Nez Perce War between the Native American Nez Perce people, and U.S. Army soldiers and civilian volunteers. Near Cottonwood, Idaho the Nez Perce, led by Chief Joseph, brushed aside the soldiers and continued their fighting retreat to cross the Rocky Mountains in an attempt to reach safety in Canada.