, 1853-11-05

Gov. Stevens moved forward on the 25lh
with the remainder Of the party, crossed the
Shayenne river July 81, 2ll miles from St
Paul, having encountered considerable
number of maIshcs, slouchs, and river eros
sings; bridging the Wild Rice river, and
crossing the Shayenne ON bridge built by
the Red river trading party on their way 10
ST. Paul who passed the suryc, ing party
on the lst of July.
On the 4th July, Mr.. Lander, one of the
civil engineers, started down the Shayenne
river 10 examine the country south and west
of it, and if possible connect the work with
Lieut.. Growers survey. His labors were
very satisfactory and he was out some s
days before overlaking the main train.
On the 10th, Mr.. Tinkham, the associate
civil engineer, left the train and went south
ward to examine the country between the
Shayenne and the tributaries of the Jacques
river accompanied by two men, and expect
cd to Join camp the same night. Their alb
sence Of over four days Occasioned much
anxiety in camp, and the fitting out Of a
strong party TO 60 in search Of them. They
had found plenty Of game; gone over more
country than expected, and had crossed the
trail of the party. On coming into camp
they were received with nine cheers.
On the 10th, the Red river hunting par
ty from Pembina, of lOI lodges, with s2l
carts, about 1900 animals, and 1900 peo-
pie, of which there were 1876 men, met and
encampcd near the surveying party. The
two parties were together the whole of next
day. From this party a most excellent
guide to the Yellow Stone alexis LIE Lom'
bard) was secured.
BY side parties sent out daily, the whole
Shayenne valley country, breadth of some
forty miles, was fully examined, as also the
Mouse river valley. On the goth, Mr..
Lander with three men started for the Mai
son du Chen and the Grand COtcau du
Missouri, expecting to Join camp in about
four days. On the 22d, two hunters of the
Red river train from Selkirk on their semi
annual hunt, overlook the train and invited
Gov. Stevens to visit their camp, which he
did, coming up with the train at camp on
the afternoon Of the 23d, accompanied by
Gov De L'Orme, chief of the party, and
eight of their principal men, as also with
MIR. Lander and his party returning from
their "DOg House" reconnaissance.
2jth. Express consisting Of Mr.. Osgood,
Boutineau, one of the guides, and two 9TH
ers, started for Fort Union. Goth, Fell in
with Lieut.. Growers trail, who (by infor
nation from the Assiniboin camp, on the
9th, had passed here absent four days be
fore, On the 9th, encamped near large
party of Assiniboins, consisting Of about 40
lodges. They manifested much kind feel
ing 10 the whites. The governor made them
a few presents and had talk with them, 10
which they assured him all white men pass
ing through their territory should be treated
with great kindness On the 2Sth, Mr..
Lander, Dr. Suckley, MIR. Bun, and two
others, started to make an examination of the
Mouse river valley 10 60 TO the northward
make an examination OF the country, and
join the train two OF three days after reach
ing the Yellow Stone. Lieut. Growers PAL
ty reached Fort Union on the 25lh. The
express from Gov Stevens train, on the
9th the whole train on the LIST of August.
Finding there Lieut. Donelson and party.
who had left ST. Louis on the Dist of NAV,
arriving at Fort Union on the Sd July, hav-
ing made a survey Of tho Mississippi up 10
the Milk river, AND reconnaissance of the
country from the Big Muddy 10 White
Earth rivers. Up TO Fort Union il will be
seen broad belt Of country has been exam
ined, taking in the whole Shayenne valley 4;
that of the Mouse river the Coteau du
Missouri and the country south of the Mis-
souri, river to the Big Muddy river; besides
an admirable survey of the Missouri river.
The distance from st. Paul to Fort Union
was found TO bo 725 miles by the odomeler
measurement.
On the 9th August the train left Fort
Union, intending to pursue two lines: the
one north, with Cypress mountain as temi-
mating point, in charge Of Lieut.. Donelson :;
and the main train in charge Of Lieut.. Gro
yer, the southern or Milk river hne-com-
ing together at Big Muddy, on the lltb.-
This idea was abandoned in consequence of
the inability Of Gov. Stevens 10 fl out prop-
erly both parties. On the 18th, under
charge Of Maj Stevens, moved forward in
one line till the 23l, when he and small
party together with Mr.. Culberson, special
agent among the Indians, left the train ac-
companied by two select detached parties of
six men each, under the respective direc.
tions Of Mr. Lander and Lieut.. Grover: tbo
former 10 examine Marias Pass, and the lat
ter to prccede the train and ascertain the
practicability for wagons of Cadets pass anil
the Toute 10 ST. Mary's village. On the
25tb, came up with the camp of the Gros-
bentres, Of about $50 lodges, where we re-
mained all day the Goth. Gov Stevens had
a talk with them and made them some pres.
ents of Indian goods and provisions.
They behaved very kindly, and several ac-
companied the governor 10 Fort Benton,
which he reached in safety on the lst Sep
tember. 1t is proper TO add that Mr.. Ian
der, Lieut.. Grover, and Mr.. Slanlcy went
of on the 3Oth to make an examination oe