, 1859-08-26

PreSldeRt.
WILLIAM n. SMITH, Secretary.
-
Fort Benton Military Road Expedition.
Our dates from the Fort Benton Militia
Try Road Expedition, in charge of Lieut..
Mullan, are TO the Slst July. The party
were still encamped at the crossing Of st.
JOseph's river. Nothing of special interest
had transpired. They had been engaged
in constructing boats, one of which, the St.
Joseph, was launched on tile 3lst, and the
party would probably make the crossing
the following day. Lieut. Mullan expected
by the 4th inst, 10 be under way for the
CGur dAlene Mission, and should all things
favor, reach there by the 9Th.
The Indians still remained quiet, but
closely watched the movements made, aud
were anxious to know the why's and where
fOres Of every thing done. The progress
Of the Expedition thus far has been slower
than expected, but those who know Lieut.
M, will readily believe that all has been
accomplished that was possible for human
energy to effect. -..
The intention was 10 push forward with
all possible expedition to the main valley
of the Bitter Root country, where tlA par.
ty would go into winter quarters, aud re-
sumo the construction OF the road in the
early spring.
A constant watch was kept upon the
Indians, but judging from our advices, all
apprehensiens Of All attack had passed
away.-DaRes Journal, Aug. lOth. 2,
A correspondent Of the Portland Daily
Aduertissr furnishes the following additional
particulars in regard to Lieut.. Mallau's
Expedition 8 .11 a. y6 lsgs sa
Sr. JosEPH's RIVER, July 81, 1859.
Lieut.. Mullnn's party arrived here on
Sunday evening last, July 24tb. During
the past week large amount of work has
been done substantial bride Of piue has
been thrown over the "Pound Lake !" a
aatboat, 49 feet long by l2 feet wide, has
been constructed for the crossing Of the
St. Joseph's river; another is in the course
Of construction for the CGur d'Alene river.
A large body oflaborers are always kept
in advance, locating and constructing the
road generally. The severest work may
be said to commence from this point, where
the command has been encamped since the
Gath. On the 18th, 1t Mullan received
an express from Major Lugenbeel, in com
mand at Fort Colville, informing him that
several Spokau chiefs had visited bis camp
with the report that the Nez Perces had
planned au attack against bis 1t. M's)
command. They were to come in and pay
an apparently friendly visit, and then ''pitch
into" us. This report, though not gener-
ally believed, will serve to make every man
more vigilant and cautions than he other
wise would be. Upon our entrance into
their country, the Ceur d'Alenes eVinced
considerable restlessness and perturbation
at the road being located through their
country. There can be no question Of
their dsaffection and opposition to our
movements, still it is not likely they will
venture upon open hOstilities after the
sound and well-merited whipping Colonel
Wright gave them last year. II few
more had the rope around their necks il
might be well On the Goth the ReVer-
and Father Gazzlle, at present in charge
OF the "CGur d'Aleue Mission" visited Ii.
Mullan and made known the anxiety Of his
proteges, the Ceur d'Alenes, a: the road
passing over their soil, fearing lest they
might lose their hunting-g grounds and cam-
mas-plains These fathers have labored
long aud zealously to ameliorate tue wild
and uncivilized spirits Of the different tribes
but there eau be no doubt that the open-
lug of this military road will have a greater
tendency to better their condition general
ly than all the lessons taught them by these
devoted men during the past quarter Of a
century. The Indians crowd our camp
daily, bringing their families they seem
very friendly, but require watching Ii.
Mullan takes every care to bring out of
them whatever Of good they poSsess-his
conversations with them being h-racter-
lied by fairness and 6rmness. II bis line
of policy be followed by all persons travel
ing through we have nothing to fear from
them. Thus far each camping-grOund has
been designated BY posts branded several
ly-"M. Il. - miles" We are now
i69 miles from new Fort Walla Walla,
1879 from the old Fort. The work ahead
must be a tedious character, but large
corps OF laborers from the civil party and
the escort OF 1t. White are destined to ef.
feet considerable amount Of work in o
short space Of time.