The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. NOVEMBER l, 1861.

last few years, broke out among the dogs
and of the fine pack which | had taken from
the Danish settlements only eleven animals
remained alive on the Goth of December
You are well aware that my plans Of explo-
ratioDs YVES wholly based upon dogs as a
means of transport across the ice, and situ-
ated as was-on the East side OF the strait
aud ninety miles further South than | had
anticipated, [ became seriously apprehen.
sive for the success OF the approaching
effort.
My party being necessarily small, could
not send into the field more than boats
crew of able bodied men, and these had
always considered as merely auxiliary to the
dogs, and without the dogs, altogether un-
available for the services to be performed.
My anxiety was fully shared by Mr.. Son.
tag, the astronomer to the expedition, and
my able second in command. He early
volunteered to 90 south to endeavOr to open
communication with the Esquimaux Of
Northumberland Island, with the hope of
obtaining dogs. His former experience
when with DIR. Kane had fami!iarized him
with all the phases of Arctic travel, and no
one could have been better fitted for the
task. Besides the usefulness OF the pro.
posed journey, it was peculiarly in harmony
with his active and enterprising spirit.
His offer was accepted, and be left the ves-
sci on the 22d of December, with sledge
and nine dogs, accompanied by the Esqui-
maux Hens, intending to make the journey
and letur..s Turing the moonlight period then
setting ia. 1t is my sad duty to inform you
that he died while absent.
1t appears that from Hans report, that
the immediate cause of Mr.. Sontag's death
was cold Hans, upon his return, stated
that they travelled the first day to Suthe,
land island, where they camped in snow
hut, and were there detained two days
Their next camp was at Sorfalik, deserted
Esquimalsx station on the coast, fifteen miles
below Cape Alexander, where they built
another snow hut. They set off next day
directly for Northumberland Island. The
ice, although covered with light snow, ap-
peared to be sufficiently strong. Mr.. Son.
tag walked in advance of the sledge, ard
when about five miles from the land be came
upon thin ice and broke through. Hans
assisted him ont of the water, and they i'm,
mediately put back for Sorlalik. Before
that plase was reached Mr.. Sontag was in-
sensible and he died soon afterward. His
remains were subsequently brought to the
vessel, and were inferred near the observ-
atory.
Hans succeeded in reaching the Esqul-
maux; but by over driving and ipjudcious
management, five of the dogs were killed,
and the remaining four were permanently
injured. had now only six animals. The
Esquimaux came to the vessel some weeks
later, and from them obtained by purchase
a sufficient number to make two teams of
seven each.
1t was not until late in March that the
ice formed around Cape Ohlson, and the
land being too mountainous for sledge trav-
cling, | was not, until that time, able to
set out northward. At that period made
a preliminary journey to Fog Harbor, and
there established provision depot. avail
ed myself of this opportunity to visit Rens.
selaer Harbor, DR.. Kane's winter quarters.
No vestige of the Advance was discovered
She has probably drifted out to sea with
the ice. During this journey the coolest
temperatures of the cruise were recorded.
On one day the thermometer sank to CO..
degrees, and on another to 68 degrees below
zero. We camped at night on this, as we'll
as on all subsequent journeys, in the snow
hut of the Esquimaux.
Active preparations had been making
since January, for the spring campaign, and
we were ready tor the tipal start on the 4th
of April. The chief equipment consisted
of a metallic lifeboat, twenty feet in length,
mounted upon runners provisions for boats
crew OF six persons for five months, pro-
visions for seven persons and fourteen dogs
for six weeks, together with a careful al
lowauce stock of fuel for the above named
period. We started from the vessel on the
above mentioned date, with our entire equip.
ment, the boat and its cargo being drawn
by the whole available ships company aud
fourteen dogs. Mr.. Radcliff with two men
was left In charge of the vessel.
Upon reaching Fog Harbor we made
nearly due north course, intending to reach
the west coast and travel thence upon the
land ice. We soon encountered hummocked
ice OF extraordinary thickness, through
which 1t was often necessary to break pas
sage with axes and shOvels. 1t finally be-
came evident from the slowness that the
entire summer would be consumed in reach.
ing the west land, even if the boat could be
transported to it at all. Being well assured
that nothing could be accomplished with
the boat expedition, l sent the main party
back on the 28th of April, and continued
northward with three companions and two
sledges.
The ice grew worse as we advanced. and
we were fourteen days in reaching the West
coast, a distance in direct line of only
forty miles. From this fact you can form
some estimate of the character of the ice
over which we travelled. The severity of
the labor broke down the dogs, and was
compelled to feed to them double ration,
thus consuming rapidly the provisions, aud