Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
6eneral Sntelliaente.
From the St. Louis Republican.
From the Plains.

From the Plains.
Arrivai from Fort Benton Ifdings from Gorer-
nor Stecenss Exploring Expedition.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mr.. John C.
Tevis OF this city, and Mr.. Alexander Culbertson,
of Fort Union, who has just arrived from Fort
Benton. In company with them on this trip was
Lieutenant Saxton, United States army, who had
been ordered by the government to take supplies
OF provisions, &c, from the Pacific and TO deposit
them at the St. Mary's for the use of Governor
Stevens. Having performed this service, he and
his command were ordered to the States. son
of Colonel Graham, Washington, and Mr.. Hoyt
attached TO the expedition, We're also of the re-
turning party. They descended the river, from
Fort Benton, within thirty miles of the Falls OF
Missouri, in a keelboat 10 st. Joseph, and there
took n steam boat for ST. Louis. Lieutenant Sax
ton, who is bearer of dispatches from Governor
Stevens, left yesterday for Washington
After the arrival Of Governor Stevens and his
party of exploration at Fort Union, of which we
have heretofore given an account, portions of the
goods intended as presents 10 the Indians were
distributed to the Assineboines and they were
greatly pleased. Before that time Mr.. Culbert-
son, whose influence over the Indians Of that re-
gion is unbounded, had negotiated a treaty OF
peace and friendship between the Assinebones
and the Pegans, branch of the Blackfeet tribe.
These tribes have been at continual war with each
other; but ii is the opinion OF Mr.. Culbertson that
il may be productive of benefcent results, if fol-
lowed up in proper and conciliatory spirit by the
government. Similar treaties might be concluded
with other tribes; and it is believed that if the
tribes are secured in their property against the
depredations of each other the disposition to war
upon each other will be greatly lessened.
Governor Stevens arrived at Fort Union, from
St. Paul. on the 1st of August There he re-
manned, for the purpose of allowing some repose
10 his party, and TO recruit his mules, until the
10th of the month. He then started for Fort Ben
ton. accompanied by Mr. Culbertson and Mr.
Tevis. For Benton is 375 miles from Fort Union
as ascertained by an odometer. On the first day
out and when the camp had been formed, the i'm
prudent conduct of one of the junior officers oil
the command was near being productive of seri-
Gus con sequences. large party Of Indians ap-
preached the encampment within what the officer
conceived to be too near distance. He ordered
them off in manner which greatly incensed them.
They resisted the order, and il is probable that
serious difficulties would have followed, if Mr..
Cnlbertson had not been present. He nterfered
to prevent hostties, and the matter was settled.
At the distance of 1875 miles from Fort Union,
the party struck Milk river--which is very inacu-
rately laid down on all the maps hitherto pub
shed--and followed its course, chiefly, on the
north bank, for about $50 miles, in nearly due
west direction. The country is mainly prairie,
interspersed with skirts of timber, and is entirely
practicable for a railroad. After crossing the
Milk river, finally, they pursued the same westerly
direction 10 Fort Benton. Between the mouth of
Milk river and the Fort two remarkable noun.
denty of volcanic origin, and the other, the Bears
Paw, of entirely different formation. These
mountains are detached from each other.
The party arrived at Fort Benton on the LIST of
September They Were supplied with abundance
OF game, and the weather was very pleasant. On
the 23d they were entertained at the village of the
Gros Ventres of the prairie. in most hospitable
style-l, 500 Indians We're present, and the party
spent day and half with them. They were
greatly pleased with the presents of trinkets,
xyhi Stevens n m axa n
them. The governor caused his howitzer TO be
fred and they were filed with astonishment at its
effects. war party OF the Blackfeet was also
met on an expedition against the Snake Indians,
but Governor Stevens made speech TO them,
and induced them to abandon the expedition.
After his arrival at Fort Benton, Governor
Stevens and Mr., Cubertson started upon a visit
to the Piegans, about $50 miles distance, and in
the British territory; but they were recalled by
an express, announcing the arrival of Lieutenant
Saxton and his escort from the Pacific. As we
have already stated, Lieutenant Saxton was
dered to make depots of provisions at st. Mary's
and other points for Governor Stevens use. He
crossed the Rocky Mountains at what is known
as the Backfeet trail, but as did not see him, our
information about his route is very deficient.
Captain Mcclellan, United States Army it was
understood, was engaged in the survey of the
Cascade range of mountains and expecting to
connect with Governor Stevens survey.
Lieut.. Grover was detached from the main party,
and ordered 10 examine the missouri TlVcF from
Fort Benton to Fort Union Thence he was or
dered 10 cross the mountains in the winter, so as
to ascertain the peculiar characteristics of the
country at this II is perilous trip, and if
he succeeds, will be full of incident.
Mr.. Tevs and one or two of his friends visited
the falls Of the Missouri, distant thirty miles from
Fort Benton. The falls presented splendid ap-
pearance. AT this point the river is about four
hundred yards wide--the fall is about forty feet,
into an apparently bottomless chasm. Long be-
fore you reach it, the spray is from the prai-
re, ascending to the skies; and the mountains in
the distance, on every side, give the whole scene
most magnificent appearance. Very few white
men have ever visited these falls but the time will
come when they will become objects Of curiosity,
and thousands will find their way to them
II may be gratifying to the friends of Gov. Ste
vcns' party to know that they were, without ex-
ception in the enjoyment of excellent health. The
detachment of dragons, with Lieut.. Saxton, came
down on the same boat and proceeded 10 Jefer-
son Barracks.
The deposit Of provisions made AT ST Mary's is
a point about two hundred miles west of Fort
Benton and on the west side Oft the mountains. II
is the site ofa missionary station, established some
years ago by Father De Smidt, but from which the
missionaries We're expelled by the hostility of the
Indians. Gov. Stevens and his party would fol-
low the same route 10 the Columbia or Fort Van
couver, that Lieut. Saxton had come, Lieut. Sax
ton reports the pass through the mountains, by
which he came, as being, by barometrcal observa-
ton, nearly Two thousand feet lower than the South
Pass.
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