Like Joseph, Looking Glass favored the return of the non-treaty bands to the reservation, and even after the encounter with General Howard's troops in White Bird Canyon, he strove to avoid war with the whites. He was made a war leader, and led the combined non-treaty bands across the Lolo Trail, assuring his followers that they would be safe in Montana.

Looking Glass and Ollokot were both killed in the battle at the Bear Paw Mountains.