Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-08-21
JOURNAL
Ofa Surrey in the Northern part Of
Wisconsin,
TeoNcLuDEp /
BY A. A. PARKER, ESQ.

Nov. 80. Sill encamped at the old
encampment Of the 2Sth. We crossed
the river and ran six miles south; on
our return we set two valleys on fire
and il was grand sight to see the fire
sweep through to the northwest. 1t
was near sunset when we reached the
encampment--the wind was high and
furious-by this time the fire we set
in the valley, had swept to the valley
of the river, and the whole country
to the west was in one unbroken
sheet of fire. At dark, it sent up a
most brilliant light; il was reflected by
the black clouds which were gather
ing over us. and Illuminated the whole
horizon. The sheet Of flame it sent
UP, and the masses of rolling smoke
which rolled along before the wind -
the beautiful appearance of the bluffs
streaked with fire, and the wild glare
of the heavens cannot be imagined,
but by one who beheld il. 1t did not
last long. This WORLD Of fire as it
seemed, was checked in its progress
almost in an instant by tremendous
storm which followed, of rain, snow
and hail, which continued for an hour,
then changed to rain, and the constant
pattering upon the tent, notwithstand-
ing the dampness of the night, soon
lulled Us to sleep.
Dec. IL. For the last ten DAYS the
country has been similar to that here
tofore described. Each day has pre-
sented a succession of similar scenes
Yesterday morning by daylight we
set off for the line, giving orders
for the camp to follow to the town cor
ner, six miles north. and encamp.-
For the first three miles, the route was
over hill and ridge covered with oak
brush-the last three miles across
handsome plain, with groves of tan a.
rack and pine scattered here and there.
BY night we were at the point, but no
camp came in sight. 1t was a cold
night, and the idea of sleeping on the
cold snow and frozen ground, was by
no means agreeable, without our tent,
blankets, or provisions. The clouds
gathered thick and black over US and
the winds mcaned across the plains
After waiting in vain for the camp,
we thought of setting out in pursuit of
it, but the darkness OF the night rem
dered ii useless task. Cold, hungry
and disappointed, we turned our course
towards swamp at the north, as that
was the only alternative for shelter
from the weather. We CROPPED our
way in, and at intervals listened 10
the lonely boot of the owl, and occa-
sonally the hoarse bark of the volt
mingled with the fierce winds. The
pine and tamarack waved and cracked
with the frost, and the wind whistled
through their tops as mournfnlly as if
singing our funeral dirge. With our
almost frozen fingers we scraped to-
gether few dry leaves and twigs, and
soon had a warm fre-spread few
pine leaves on either side and laid
down, until twilight appeared in the
east, and then resumed our survey.
DEC. 81. Since my last date we
""fS bCSu dsdiu III tue piuc IeRloH 10
the meridian, sfinishing two tiers of
townships. We are now encamped on
the Trampaleau river, in the west part
Of the survey. The country since
has been similar to that in the first
tier OF townships, all worthless. save
for the pine and what mineral may be
found on it.; on these two tiers of town
ships there cannot be found land E.
nough to make one good farm. There
is no poorer land out OF doors. In
the east part, we found windfalls i'm.
passable for our pack horses, and we
were obliged to pack provisions and
tent upon our backs, and in many
places local attraction has been 80
great we were obliged to wait for the
sun as there was no dependence to be
put in the needle, it varying from one
to thirty degrees. The weather has
been extremely cold, and the rivers are
as yet entirely open, and we are
obliged to ford Black River in the
east and the Trampalesu in the west
part of the survey.
JAN. s. Weather tremendous cold;
snow three inches deep. We have
hnished the third tier Of townships
Here the timber is much better and
me land more valuable. This tier and