Arkansas intelligencer., 1846-10-10
From he Missouri Republican.


From Fort Uaion.-The steamer Cermont, No
,. which was chartered TO take men and stores o
the head waters of the Missouri, in July last, re.
turned 10 this place yesterday, after an absence
Of sevety five days. From memoranda furnished
by Mr.. N. s. DEMNITr. tho following information:
Tho CIermont assembled 10 Fort Union, above the
mouth Of the Yellowstone, making the trip up in
thirty seven days. As the company intended to
trade with tho Sioux Indians, they were landed at
the mouth of Medicine creek, and the establish
men, which they commenced constructing there
is called Fort Defiance. The remainder Of tho
company of traders, with the Blackfoot outfit,
were landed about mile below For, Union, in
grove Of timber, from which they would con-
struct Macklnaw boats 10 ascend The Marais river.
While lying at tho village Of the Gros Ventrcs
some 300 miles below Fort Union, the boat was
attacked by body Of Sioux, and several Of the
balls fired by them struck it. but did no injury.
Being only forty or fifty in number they were
soon rnrr,Isad Tho 6-a. LsaaIo weru Observer
above the moulh Of the Yellowstone, but when
within three Gays of Fort Union, large herds
were seen, during two days, crossing to the ives.
bank Of the river. ....
Al For, Pierre and For, Union. all was quiet,
and nothing of interest had occurred. Above the
mouth of tho Yellow Stone, tho river was n, arly
dry, and after leaving thero 10 return, they en-
counerei a great deal Of difficulty. and almos,
despared Of getting down with the boat. AT
Antelope Isle, they latured two weeks in getting
over the bar, and some Of the company constructs
ed RATS, and started down on them. The upper
Missouri is said to be lower than it has been for
thirty years. The drought was excessive; for,
during the months Of July and August, rain foil
but once; the grass Of the prairies on both sides
Of the river, was Parchcd up, aud had been burn
cd BY the Indians. As they descended, they saw
large encampmen,s Of Indians, who had come to
the river bank TO obtain grass and water for them
selves and animals.
Ga reaching the village Of the eros Ventres
they found them preparing to defend themselves
against body of seven hundred Sioux, by whom
they expected 10 DO attacked on the following
day.
The Sioux, the Arab, Of the prairies. are at
war with all the neighboring tribes of Indians,
and do not hesitate to plumber and murder when.
ever they can do so with impunny. A number
Of whites have been killed BY them during tho
summer. The village Of the Ponkas, quiet and
inofensiye people, sixty miles above the mouth Of
tho Fermillion, L'eau Yui cour river. was attack.
ed by them, few days before tho Clermont ar.
rived there, and several Of their men were killed.
MS was hHo htss ii'OiiuPsioh VI peace WHICH
had existed between them for many years, and
tho attack was uuprovoked and Unexpected
They said that they were then daily expecting
another attack from larger party, who had
threatened TO exterminate them and take their
lands. A large party of the Sioux started few
days before, for the neighborhood Of Fort Union.
with the intention, as they stated, of meeting and
driving back party Of Crows who had como
down from the mountains, and were in that vein.
| ity.
A, the Ponkas village, q most western post
of the Mormons was found, rnder Elder Miller.
There were several large eneampments Of these
people in the vi;inity, preparing TO pass the win.
| ter. This body had asceuded the Patio river to
Pawnce Island, but finding tina, they could not
cross so well in that direction, they mado ar
engagements with the Ponkas to settle for the win.
ter on their land. They are represented as hav.
| ing abundance of provisions, and as being
satisfied who their condition and prospects. From
this village, coming down. they continued 10 meet
small parties Of Mormons. on both, sides Of the
river, until they reached Black Snake Hills, and
a large number are wntering at Council Bluffs,
and in the Indian purchace on the opposite side
Of the river. -' ' .-'. i'. 90
| At Fort Leavenworth, nine companies of vol.
unteers were ready to march in a few DAYS, to
Join Gen. kearuey. The navigation of the Mis-.
souri, is represented as being exceedingly danger.
Gus al this stage of the water, aud the bends Ii,
,oral!y filed with snass.