The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-24

CAMP MCLAREN, LAKE TRAvERsE,l
June %, 1868.

CAMP MCLAREN, LAKE TRAvERsE,l
June %, 1868.
To the Editor of the Pioneer:
DEAR SIR-The Indian expedition reach
ed this point yesterday. Our march, ow-
ing to the length of the train and the
scarcity of the grass, has been somewhat
slow, being an average of about fifteen
miles per day since we left Camp Pope.
Never within the recollection of the
coolest inhabitant" has the grass been so
scarce and the prairies so dry at this sea-
son of the year, as at present. The high
prairie grass is perfectly parched, and
fires are burning as in the fall of the year.
The streams are almost dry, and many
of the lakes are entirely without water
but, Major Brown, who is the chief guide
to the expedition, has succeeded in lead
ing the train each evening to an encamp-
ment where there was a fair supply Of
grass and water for the animals, and wood
for the troops. He is perfectly at home
on the prairies, knows every foot of the
country, and if good camps are to be found
he can find them.
Our present camp is in the bottom land
through which the Minnesota (what there
is of it) flows to Big Stone Lake; within
half mile Of the camp is the head of Lake
Traverse, whose waters flow to the North
ern Ocean, and around three sides OF the
camp runs the Minnesota tributary to
the Gulf of Mexico. Besides being on the
divide of the waters Of the continent, we
are so located that one part of our camp
is in the State of Minnesota, while the re-
mainder is in Dacota Territory. Geo
graphically we are on the fence, but I
hope there are but few of us who attempt
to set upon fence politically.
Our march has been monotonous, and
I have but few incidents to note. Gen.
Sibley, with that habitual industry which
has characterized his life, is continually at
work, and himself attends to the smallest
minutia of arrangements on the march,
and with the material which composes the
immense wagon train, he has his hands
full to obtain and preserve anything like
system in its management. A body, or
drove, or gang Cor whatever it may be de-
signated) of wild mules, wild Irishmen,
wild Missourians and contrabands, does
not present favorable surface for the cul-
tivation of order.
Among the troops, too, we have some
who make it their business to visit the bur-
ial places of the Indians, and disinter and
mutilate the bones of the men, women and
children they find, either in graves or on
scaffolds. Thus far they have not been
detected, and consequently 60 UNPUBLISHED,
but they will be found out if we should
have battle, as Iswill warrant that they
will not approach the bones of live In
dian. They will be hid away in some
place of safety during the progress of
battle.
During the march each day, company
of scouts spread out some five miles in
trout OF the column, covering from three
to ten miles on either side; then a COM
pany of Mounted Ran gers march on either
side and about mile from the column,
thanking the entire line; the remainder of
the Rangers are in the front and rear of
the column; the Infantry are divided by
placing one regiment in front, and in the
centre, and are in rear of the train. The
artillery is divided into four sections and
are located at intervals from the front to
the rear of the line; thus it will be seen
that surprise or stampede of teams while
on the march is almost impossible. In
camp the wagons formed corralle, inside
of which the mules are firmly tied, and
in case of night attack, there can be no
danger of stampede. Every precaution
is taken to prevent the Indians from sur
prising our camp. The guards are nu:
'nerously posted around the camp, and
beyond the line of the camp guard, a
mounted guard is posted at intervals
around the camp, and about half mile
from it. The artillery are posted on the
four angles of the camp in positions to
command the approaches to it.