Belfry, Montana
On the evening of September 11, General Howard was camped on the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River just a few miles south of Belfry when he was finally joined by a frustrated Colonel Sturgis. According to a witness, “[Sturgis was] so bitterly chagrined at the escape of the Indians from one of the best laid traps of nature and man that he exclaimed: - ‘Poor as I am I would give $1,000 if I had not left this place.’” Perhaps to make up for his error in judgment, Colonel Sturgis roused his hungry men early the next morning and set off on a quick march up the Clarks Fork to the Yellowstone after the Nez Perce.
“We had nothing to eat, so we merely drew our belts one hole tighter, took a drink of water, threw the saddles on our horses… and hit the trail.”
– Unnamed trooper
By the time Colonel Sturgis’ men made camp for the night they had been in the saddle for 18 hours and covered more than 60 miles.
