The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-27
From The o.. Pau, and Puget sound Ralarved
susv.S ING ExPrsitisn.


CAN'T NEAR LIGHTNING LAKE, June 81, 1858.
The expedition under command Of Major Stevens,
LETT Camp Davis, on the banks OF the bAuk rivers
two miles west OF the Mississippi river, on the l4h
inst, and are encami ed on the southeast shore OF
this Ike, about hundred and fifty miles from our
starting place at Camp Pierce and will start forward
tomorrow. following the Red river trail to the north
OF White Bear lake. at which point it is subject OF
Governor Stevens's consideration whether he will
not abandon it, and follow the general direction
OF Dead Colt hil'ock, and the Bots de Sioux
north OF Lake Traverse. The advance party under
Lieut. Grover, and the engineers, are some twenty
five miles ahead, and Will be joined to-day by Gov.
Stevens.
Considering the heaviness of the road, the impedi.
ments created hy marshes and river crossings swo.
len and made heavy by the abundance Of rains, the
expedition has made very hne progress. The heavi-
est part Of the road-,he twenty miles nom Lake
Henry to this camp-was made Dy the Wnole Tram
between Al A. N. ana p NJ. the animals all coming
in in fine order, apparently as fresh as when start
ing
The transportation was effected by large wagons,
drawn by four mules each, with an average load OF
fifteen hundred; Pembina carts, two Of which were
drawn by mules, and six by single oxen harnessed,
with an average load of Fix seven hundred; and
large OK team drawing fifteen hundred.
On Friday the crossing Of the Sank was effected
by means OF two India rubber boats, birch canoe,
and raft, rather larger than the body of wagon,
and constructed of rough timber. The voyagers and
several Of the transfers were in the water several
hours, and worked as did the whole command,
zeaously and faithfully Tas largest India rubber ia
twelve feet lorg and about Assr feet wide and the
other ten feet long and about three and half feet
wide, and each viii readily carry over thousand
weight. rope was attached to trees on both sides
OF the river and mule hobble was used to pass it
through and one man was thus easily enabled to
ferry the boats across. The whole train went over
and encamped the shores Of small lake near the
Red river trail, on the west side Of the Sank.
Many bad places occur between Sank river and
Lake Henry, but the march, over twenty miles, was
made by the detached parties In one day, and ON
Saturday the detached party under Dr. 6uoklcy ar
rived in this camp, when the animals came in, look
ing finely rested over Sunday and are yet here with
the main train.
Taking into consideration that the mules arc young
and unbrokeD, and doing battle each day, and that
loads are daily diminishing the provisions con-
sumed the fact tina. this heavy road has been rapidly
gone over proves the good organization OF the force,
and the energy and spirit Of the commander.
Strict care il eDjoiDed on all the men not to over
work their animals and the sores produced by gall
ing, and the flies aud mosquitoes, which have been
found SO numerous, have been properly looked after
Gov. Stevens is considering the propriety Of
abandoning the Red river trail north Of White Bear
lake. Of pursuing the general direction Of Dead Colt
hillock, as before stated and crossing the Bots de
Sioux about twenty miles from this point. 1t il
hoped that this crossing will be effected early next
week by the whole train, whea these marshes and
boys occur less frequently. From present appear
ances, the expedition will reach Fort Union by the
fifteenth or twentieth OF July.