Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-07-28

l
We crossed small creek running to the
east, then came about miles of the wors
sand hills that we have seen. No wate
among these. In the valleys or rathe
ravines between the hills there is abun
dance of grass, which the cattle eat with
avidity. &. @
We arrived at the Calamus river, which
we find to be stream about 30 yard.
vide, with gravel bottom. On the banks
on each aide Of the stream is timber In
abundance; pine, cedar. cottonwood, oah
and elm. t
| We find that Lieut.. Warren's map i,
incorrect in representing the Caiamus as
emptying into the main Louptork. 1t joins
the north branch of Loupfork about the
meridian of $50 west longitude. lha,
which be represents as branch of the
Calamus between the meridian of sSAe
and e90 is probably the head of stream
that he has taken for the mouth of the
Calamus where it empties into the Loup-
fork. We saw several large herds of buff
falo Us we came into the valley Of the
Calamus.
June s-To-day was Sunday again, and
rest for the men and cattle. Our men
have shot and wounded many buffalo, but
have not succeeded in bringing any down.
One of our hunters, W laid out last night
He got into camp today at 10 O'Clock,
having had nothing to eat since yesterday
morning. The river is falling, having bsen
swollen by rains near its head
June 9-To-day we travelled down the
Calamus five miles to where it emp.ies in.
to the north branch of Loupfork. The
north branch is about so yards wide, but
not so deep as the Calamus the bottom
is more sandy; we forded it without diff :
Guilty we travelled up the south side OF
this stream about l | miles to where are
three Indian graves on the bank Of the
river, which are three mounds about eight
feet square and six fee: high we here
encampod for the night, distance of
| about nine miles in straight line from
our yesterday camp. There are hundreds
Of acres Of timber along these streams
and in the canons. The valley of the north
branch is very beautiful and has a rich
soil. On the west side, Just below the
mouth of the Calamus is grove of cedar
of some 40 acres. The bluffs on each
side of the bottom are rather abrupt and
high, much the same as in western Iowa.
The soil is rich, producing rich growth
of grass to the top of the hills.
June l0--To-d day we took to the bluffs,
| after crossing two miles of bottom land.
Our course was little west of south.
and after ten miles of travel we came to
the middle branch Of Loupfork it is co
yards wide. and about the same depth as
the North Branch. There is more quick
sand in this, some found it necessary to
put five or six yoke of oxen to each wa
gon to cross it. The bottom land along
this stream is 3 or 4 miles wide. It is
more sandy than that Of the north fork /;
there is considerable timber in the canons.
We got across this stream about 4 o'clock
but did not go farther. Mr.. Grifftv hav-
ing gone out on horse back in the NOR
ming came up at the time of crossing on
foot. He had killed buffalo and los. his
horse. One wagon nnoaaed and went
back seven miles for buffalo meat, and
Esq. Dutton on horseback to find the
white pony.
June ll-Sunday again to day. The
fast OK express came into camp this NOR
ming with three or four hundred pounds of
buffalo meat. All hands turn into pre-
pairing it. 10 O'Clock Esq. Du'ton came
in; had not found the pony; Grifley came
in, in the afternoon without having found
the pony. In the evening some of the
men went two or three miles down the
river to look after some buffalo in the bot
tom, and found the pony all right, which
| rejoiced us no little. He was evidently
making bis way to camp. We tasted bpf
falo meat to-day for the frs. time, and all
agreed in pronouneing it better than
| beef
June l2-This morning got an early
start. About seven niles from camp
Grifiey killed buffalo when the wagons
came up all hands went to work, and in
about three hours had his flesh strung for
drying. Travelled II miles and encamped
on the margin of small ravine having a
small brook running to the east.
June l3-To day we have branched II
miles S. W., over broken country; two
miles from the last camp we crossed
another brook running to the east. The
hills are covered with good grass not much
sand in the SOIL Encamped to night on
the hills without wood or water.
We drove our cattle back half a mile
to small pool where there was water
enough to quench their thirst. We have
rain and wind storm to onisht.
Jtne l4-This morning we started soon
after daylight without breakfast, and trav,
eled five miles soath west where we struck
the south branch Of the Loupfork. 1t is
about % yards wide, and IL inches deep.
Not so much quicksand as the last two
streams.
After hearty meal and rest, we cross
ed the river and went up the south side
y miles. We discovered fresh signs Of
Indians; We encamped on the banks Of