The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-24
Letter from Captain Fisk's Overland
.--,A.. 6 Expedition. iyae m
- - i ~ -ss7. asszaa,<,a =
FROM FORT UNION no FORT BENTONITHE
NDT1NS-CH1R RI CTFR or TTF c0TY,
TRY-INCIDENTS- BURRITT CHA ED BY
A "GRIZZLY," DC.


A "GRIZZLY," dc.
Fort BENTON, August 5, 1862.
TO the Editors Of the Pioneer:
am tempted, by the sight of writing
desk and the appurtenances thereunto be-
loning-the use of which has been kindly
allowed me by Mr.. Dawson, who is in
charge of the business at this post,-to ask
admission into your columns again and,
through that medium, "defne the posi-
ton " OF the emigrant train and escort.
with which left st. Paul on the 10Th of
June last. l wrote you from Fort Union
on the 18th ult. ; and, if my letter was re-
ceived, your readers were thereby appraised
OF our safe arrival at that place, without
serious accident, let Or hindrance of any
kind whatsoever. We started from our
camp near Fort Union Oh the 10Th of Au-
gust, and our train made camp to-day, at
noon, on the Teton River, three and half
miles from this post, that being the nearest
point where we can find grass for our stock.
The Blackteet, Peigan and Blood Indians,
to the number Of about 10000, have re-
Gently been encamped close to this post, to
receive their annuities and do their trading;
and, as there are as many horses as In
dians, every green thing has been eaten as
closely as if prairie fire had swept over
this region. The Indians left here five
days ago, and there are none here now to
harass or beg from our train, except few
loafers, who hang around the post rather
than hunt with their tribes, and war party
OF Bloods, numbering some fifty warriors,
which came across the Missouri to-day
The distance from Fort Union here, is
three hundred and seventy-seven miles,
and that portion of our route has presented
no difficulties of any moment
The season is very dry, and while we
were following up the Missouri valley,
which we did until We struck Milk river.
grass was somewhat scanty, and water was
not as conveniently found, nor of so
good quality as previously, but still our
stock and ourselves have kept in excellent
condition. Since we struck Milk river, in
the valley of which we have travelled for
the last three days, that stream has afford
ed us plenty of water and wood, and the
grazing has been constantly improving, and
has been excellent for the last week or ten
days, so that believe most of our cattle
are in as good condition as when we left
Abercrombie. At our first camp on Milk
river, we were visited about noon by some
three hundred Gross Veutres and Crow
Indians, who were encamped about thir-
teen miles from us on the Missouri, but
during the afternoon they moved their
camp, and at night they made their camp
about dozen rods from ours, and we
found them peaceably disposed, and very
much pleased to see the white mans train
passing through their country
The Grow country proper is across the
Missouri, but the Grows and the Gross
Neutres are now at peace, and bands of
each tribe are living and hunting together.
For several days and nights we had In
dams travelling with and camping near
US, some bands going away and others COM
ing in to beg and gratitiy their curiosity. Ma
ny OF our party obtained horses, buffalo rob-
es, mOccasins, &c, from them, giving flour,
sugar, tobacco, and like articles in ex-
change. One curious and noteworthy
fact must mention, and that is the Crows
will not and do not drink whisky or intox-
icating drinks, nor do they desire them
except to trade to the Gross Veutres.
which latter tribe will barter everything,
even to the clothes off their backs. for fire
water - often offering Il good horse for
three bottles of it, and common horse for
one. Captain Fisk prohibited the men,
bers OF the train from selling or giving a
ptE tf>n I'D, r 1
the prohibition was pretty well observed
-Four days ago we came upon deserted
camp of the Blackteet, which they had re-
Gently occupied by large numbers, and
since then we have followed their trail
until we arrived here to-day At their
camp we found the frames of two medi-
cine lodges, about one hundred feet in di-
ameter and forty feet high They were
built of poles about two feet apart, around
a centre pole placed in the ground. These
lodges had been covered with dressed buff
t;ilo skins, and used for their religious GER
emonies, and we found many relics which
they had left as sacrifices to the sun. which
they hold in great generation. Among
these relics was a beautiful horse, which
one OF our party caught after long chase.
and still keeps, in utter disregard of the
superstition of the votaries who offered it.
Six days ago we passed the buffalo re-
gion, and shall not see any more during
our journey. We have had no later news
than was contained in the St. Louis Re-
publican of the 10Th of July, which came
on boat up the Missouri river, short
distance above Fort Union
Within the last few days different men,
bers of our party, who were out hunting,
have seen seven grizzly bears, one of
which gave chase to ''our Doctor" gen
uine Nimrod, and Mr.. Burritt, both being
on horseback, the latter of whom escaped
by the skin of his teeth, old bruin not Civ
ing up the chase until he had taken view
of Mr.. Burritts unperturbable countenance
from distance of not more than six feet.
Another member of our party had an
equally narrow escape from she-bear,
with four cubs, on the same day. Oh
In crossing Big Muddy river, we had to
unload all our teams, place five wagons
- L