, 1862-11-08
Overland Emigration.

A st. Paul, Minnesota paper, Of 10th
July last, announced the departure from
Fort Abercromtie, on the extreme western
boundary of that State, of about l3O emf
grants, including thirteen families, bound
for the newly discovered gold fields of this
Territory and Oregon. These emigrants
were accompanied by protective corps sent
by the Government, and the following is
the published list of officers:
Captain James L. Fisk. 40 N. U. s. VS., Com.
E. H. Burritt, First Assistant.
n. P. Lang'orl, Second Asst & Comlnissary.
Samuel Il. Bond Secretary
David Charlton, Engineer
WIN. D. Dibb, NJ. D., Surgeon and Physician.
Pierre Bottineau, Guide and Chip. Interpreter.
George Gero, Sioux Interpreter
r. c. Knox, Wagon Master.
Capt Fisk, with his officers and some
emlgrants of his train, arrived in this city
on Saturday last, and we are indebted to
the Secretary of the expedition for the fol-
lowing facts in reference thereto, which We
have obtained in a conversation with him.
The small sum of $4,000 was set apart
last Spring for the purpose of sending an
escort to aid and protect such emigrants as
desired to cross the plains over the north
ern route from Fort Abercrombie to Fort
Benton, which it was thought might prove
better and nearer than any heretofore pur-
sued. The designation of this route and of
Captain Fisk to its command, was made at
so late day, that but little time could be
given for those who might wish to join the
train to make tGeir arrangements so to do,
and the emigration was consequently much
less than it would otherwise have BEEN
Fort Abercrombie was the place of rendez-
vous, and the train, consisting of 1870 emf
grants, including 13 women, SO wagons,
y pound Mountain howitzer and 22O head
of stock, mostly oxen, started from that
post on the 7th of July, and under the
guidance of Pierre Bottineau, struck out
in a due west course, over a country where
there was no trail and where no white man
had travelled, except where their route and
that of Gov. Stevens in 1858 would occa-
sionally coincide. The country first trav-
eleu over was rich well-gTassed and level
prairie, affording good road and plenty of
water and grazing, and chequered with an
abundance of beautiful lakes
The party were obliged to construct but
three bridges, and were not delayed in con-
sequence more than a couple Of days. The
prairie was level or only gently rolling un-
til they reached Fort Union, with the ex-
cepton of the Coteau de Missouri, which is
very hilly, and which they were two days
in crossing. They reached Fort Union-a
trading post of the American Fur Co., on
the Missouri al the mouth of the Yell W
stone, 467 miles from Fort Abercron bic
or the ninth Of August From Fort Union
to Fort Benton, a distance of 367 miles,
their route lay up the Missouri and Milk
river valleys and was generally level and
easy. They arrived at the latter Fort on
the 5th of September. From that point
their route was over Lieut.. Mullan's road
About sixty of their party stopped on the
other side Of the mountains in the Prickly
Pear valley, where they found geld pros
poets and good place to winter This
valley IS $50 miles this side of Fort Ben
ton and along the Prickly Pear rivera
tributary Of the Missouri. This valley
abounds with game. Somes others of the
party stopped in the Bitter Root valley, and
upwards Of twenty have come to Nalla
Walla.
The longest drive without water was that
of twenty miles. on this side of Snake river.
and grass was plentiful all the way with the
exception Of short distance along Milk
river, and in the Occur d'Alene noun
tains. On the sixth day out from ber-
crom6ie they killed three buffalo, and were
at no time without superabundance Of
fresh buffalo meat from tbat time until