Lewis and Clark in Russell Country

Dupuyer/Valier

The Two Medicine Fight Site historic marker is near the junction of US Highway 89 and MT Highway 44. This marks the only hostile encounter with Indians experienced by the Corps of Discovery on their long journey.

On July 26, 1806, Captain Lewis and members of the Expedition left Camp Disappointment and traveled down the Marias River. There they encountered eight members of a Blackfeet tribe known as the Piegans.

Lewis explained that he had mediated peace between warring Indian nations on either side of the mountains. This was upsetting news to the Blackfeet Indians. Lewis informed them that not only did he organize the worst enemies of the Blackfeet--the Nez Perce, the Shoshones and others—he intended to supply them with weapons. Lewis and his men, unaware of the Piegans fear of their plans, settled down to sleep.

The next morning Lewis awoke to the shouts of his men. The Piegans were stealing their weapons. The men quickly chased the Indians and recovered their guns, but in the struggle one of the Piegans were stabbed and killed. This struggle also ended in the death of a Piegan at the hands of Lewis, who was almost shot.

This struggle on July 27, 1806, was the only violent conflict between the Corps of Discovery and American Indians and resulted in the only two Indian casualties of the Expedition. Furthermore, it marks the first meeting and conflict between any representative of the American government and the Blackfeet Indians.

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