The war comes to an end when the Nez Perce stop to make camp and rest on the prairie adjacent to Snake Creek in the foothills of the north slope of the Bear’s Paw Mountains in Montana Territory, only forty miles (sixty-four kilometers) from the Canadian border.

They believed that they had shaken off Howard and their pursuers, but they are unaware that the recently promoted Brigadier General Nelson A. Miles in command of the newly created District of the Yellowstone had been dispatched from the Tongue River Cantonment to find and intercept them.

Miles leads a combined force made up of units of the Fifth Infantry, and Second Cavalry and the deceased George Armstrong Custer's former command, the Seventh Cavalry.

Accompanying the troops are Lakota and Cheyenne Indian Scouts, many of whom had fought against the Army only a year prior during the Sioux War.

They make a surprise attack upon the Nez Perce camp on the morning of September 30.

After a three-day standoff Howard arrives with his command, on October 3 and the stalemate is broken.

Chief Joseph surrenders on October 5, 1877, and declares in his famous surrender speech that he will "fight no more forever."

In total, the Nez Perce have engaged two thousand American soldiers of different military units, as well as their Indian auxiliaries.

They have fought "eighteen engagements, including four major battles and at least four fiercely contested skirmishes." (Josephy, Alvin (2007). Nez Perce Country, p. 632-633. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.)

Many people praise the Nez Perce for their exemplary conduct and skilled fighting ability.

The Montana newspaper New North-West states: "Their warfare since they entered Montana has been almost universally marked so far by the highest characteristics recognized by civilized nations.”