Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-31
[ Frgm Ne 50. Lo,.ls fnanirer. Nrp.

YELLOW STONE EXPEDITION
Extract OF letter dated Martin Cantnnneht $50 miles
up the Missouri river, I'D Nov. 1915 fom an officer
o. The yellow Stone riVer expedition to gentleman in
g After very fatigung and ardunus march
OF nearly go days. we arrived at this place
lew days ago, and took no our winter quarters
on an island. called Isle De V atches" Or Cow
island; and immediately commenced building
our foft, WHICH rs progressing rapidly think
II the best situation We could find between this
and the month or The river.
We have passed through i cOmity which
Is not surpassed in fertility of soil and water
courses, by any IN tiic world. Our boats have
been propelled thuS far, (exceptng little
intermediate saiing) by the Cordel but ow-
p'g 10 The rapidly of the current, and the nu-
H'ToNs"dhuDdrs, sawyer planters and nipples,
we were not enabled 10 make more Ihan nine
miles per day, on an average. 1T is a source
OF mich aslonlshnient TO NE, that ~ nav e not
met WIN some serious accident bat, on the
contrary, we have experienced none of any
i'npoI Lance. ON force consists OF about 347
nEn including OiflcCrs Col Chambers having
been ordered TO take command of tile Ninth
Military Department, this command devolved
Oh CAPT Martin, who think well qualified TO
contact an expedition of this kind As soom
a. Tie ice breaks in the spring, il is expected
we VIII again resume our slow and artiuous
march for our destination The mouth of yellow
otohe river. II Is, however, my opinion We
VIII not reach il with cur present force and
the untayOTable prospects attending il Al
least one tlHrd Of the mems term OF enlistment
VIII expire, before the march can possibly be
performed and the remainder are of such a
description as viii never answer The purpose
expect in the spring, when lhe grass has at
famed a height sufficient for their protection
the Indians will begin TO ask us where we are
gong aud our business for, you nav rest
assured, they Will never fold their arms and
tdnely submit to our sending All armed force
al POini so tar into the heart of their country
when they are backed and constantly urged on
NY We BrIiish fur companies, on tue AssSi,aliIu
dHd RED rlyets. We appIehend more danger
from the Sioux aud RicaTIeps thaD any Oti,er
nations. My opinions on this subject NAV he
giouhdiess, but time alone will determine the
fact
~ In addition to this we learn from Major
. FallUn, agent for Indian affairs, who LATELY
rttnlnt from the place where Captain Martin
iIas ii%t u bls "inter quarters, that n party Of
men "hO were OH hunting excursion were
trcI upOa by the kanses IndiahS but forte
na'eIy no ives were lost. MAJOR o. also statfs
| mat willie he was descending the river an In.
uidn appeared Oh The bauk aud iB Il nIeIlaciuv
tOuP, dtrert d him 90 come ashore, telling him
al Inc same time tnai ne had party Of men
Bthnd hiin, and u he dad not, his Destruction
WOULD be The consequence. Maj. q. not feeling
diNfoSeutO ~ forced iUtO n compliance direct.
ca ms pdifcViis 10 continue their course. The
lndldn LcGtupOn i;ed, and eIazed Major o.
Clothes. llls hre was immediately returned.
ana several SHOTS wctcy NChdugGd on both sides
though ~ IS believed Witli0ut injury TO eithc,.
On going quarter OF u mills further tho same
scene vas acted over, abi II IS believed result
ca ~ the death Of the assaiant. Add SO also
understand, that two traders OF ibis place were
l1uved Oi ilcir merchandise ~ The same ma.
ton ct indians. iitSe Indications ,,f 4 hostile
disposition NAY probably be tae prelude of
something mote serious.