General Howard's Strategy

On August 17 near Snowline, Montana, fearing the Nez Perce might escape back into Montana, Howard sent 40 cavalrymen under the command of First Lieutenant George R. Bacon and several Bannock scouts under the command of Captain Orlando “Rube” Robbins to proceed via Red Rock Lake to Raynolds Pass near Henry’s Lake. Lieutenant Bacon was to wait in the vicinity of Targhee Pass and watch for the Nez Perce for 48 hours, and, if they showed up, to detain them and send word back to General Howard.

Lieutenant Bacon’s Route

Adventurous Route Side Trip (Seasonal) - Not recommended for motor homes or vehicles towing trailers; usually passable from July to October.

This side trip follows the route taken by Lieutenant Bacon and his men from present day Snowline to Henry’s Lake. Winding through the picturesque Centennial Valley, this route offers a unique perspective on the events of the summer of 1877.

Before leaving the Interstate, be sure you have a full tank of gas. From Monida, MT, at Exit 0 off of Interstate 15 on the Montana and Idaho border head eastward on South Valley Road through the Centennial Valley, in 27.6 miles arrive at Lakeview, MT, the Headquarters for the Red Rock National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lakeview. From Lakeview continue east on South Valley Road, after Upper Red Rock Lake the road curves north and east. After leaving the Refuge continue east over Red Rock Pass where you reenter Idaho. After crossing Red Rock Pass continue on South Valley Road, which is now also called Red Rock Pass Road. Approximately 21 miles after leaving Lakeview, at the T in the road, turn right on Red Rock Road, in 6 miles stay to the left at the Yand continue 1 mile to the junction with US Highway 20. Turn left, north on US 20, in 2.9 miles you will reach the junction with Henry’s Lake State Park Road.

Just Following Orders

At Junction, now present day Snowline, Montana, General Howard was faced with a crucial decision; turn east and head for Henry’s Lake in an effort to get ahead of the Nez Perce or continue south into Idaho and pick up their trail. In the end he compromised and dispatched Lieutenant Bacon with a small contingent of 40 men to Henry’s lake, while he headed south with the majority of his force.

Lieutenant Bacon must have known the futility of this operation. There was little chance a force of 40 men could stand against the Nez Perce. Fortunately for Lieutenant Bacon and his men, his orders were to wait at Henry’s Lake for 48 hours and if there was no sign of the enemy, return to Howard. That is exactly what he did, leaving the lake merely hours before the Nez Perce arrived and by a route that ensured no contact with the enemy.

“I was made one of a special detail to make a detour and get ahead of the Indians and fortify at Henry Lake. This detachment consisted of Lieuts. Bacon and Hoyle, myself, Guide Poindexter and 15 men. We started out at 3 a.m., and nearly all the camp saw us off, never expecting to see us again. We travelled hard for two days. ... I never knew what Lieut. Bacon’s orders were. They were evidently to wait at the lake for two days and if the main column did not reach us by the expiration of that time to return as best we could. Whatever his orders may have been, that is exactly what we did, rejoining Howard’s main column four or five miles from the lake, near the trail we had previously passed over. But on our return we made a wide detour in order to avoid the Indians.“
-Private William Connolly

Credits and Sources:

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