About six hundred Nez Perce from Joseph's and White Bird's bands have gathered at the camas prairie six miles west of present-day Grangeville, Idaho, by June 14, 1877.

That day, three warriors, outraged at past abuses, attack nearby white settlers, killing four men who had wronged them.

In a subsequent raid the next day, a war party of twenty Nez Perce kills between twelve and fourteen additional settlers, including some women and children.

Joseph and his brother Ollokot were away from the camp during the raids on June 14 and 15.

When they arrived at the camp the next day, most of the Nez Perce had departed for a campsite on White Bird Creek to await the response of General Howard.

Joseph considers an appeal for peace to the Whites, but realized it would be useless after the raids.

Meanwhile, Howard mobilizes his military force and sends out one hundred and thirty men, including thirteen friendly Nez Perce scouts, under the command of Captain David Perry to punish the Nez Perce and force them onto the reservation.

Howard anticipates that his soldiers "will make short work of it."

The Nez Perce defeat Perry at the Battle of White Bird Canyon and begin their long flight to escape from the American soldiers.