The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-28
THE INDIAN EXPEDITION.

Colonel Thomas Command - Meeting
with General SulIy-The March Across
the ePIains-DescrIptiOnO of the Country
Murder of Captain Ffelds--The Murder
ers KIIle0-SinguIar Adventures Of a
Little Boy, sVc., dc.
INDIAN EXPEDITION, CANT No. 49, July L.
The commands of General Suly aud Colonel
Thomas met yesterday afternoon on the outlet
OF swan Lake, four or hve miles from the Mis-
souri, river. Ii was 10 us OF Minnesota happy
meeting, for our dinner basket was well nigh
empty, and already there was strong talk in camp
Of coming down 10 half ratiOns, a calamity which
a soldier breads more than battles or bullets
However, good fortune has attended us ever
since we started, and our march from Ridgely
here will compare fayOrably with any found in
the history Of war. For an expedition OF over
sixteen hundred men 10 march three hundred
miles through an almost unknown country, and
an enemy's country at that, with nothing but
grass for the animals, and do it9iu twenty four
days, without lo'ing man or beast, deserves to
be set down as extraordinary. The general feel
ing throughout the whole command is, that we
had good lime, because wood, water, and grass
were found sufficient for all our wants. After
coming into camp the evenings we're enliyened by
the stirring strains of two brass bands. Our
Chaplain has regularly, about sundown, hung
out his white flag in some conspicuous place as an
indication that those who felt like thanking OF
praying TO Him who rueth all things, cOuldhaye
an opportunity of doing so.
Our time VIII not permit us, even If we desired
TO give minute description Of the country through
which NE passed; suffice il to say, that the soil
generally Is good, and in ordinary seasons there
must be grass and water in abundance; but for
two hundred miles we saw nothing worthy the
name Of tmbCr-and what's a country good for
without wood, or good substitute Where the
land is level at all, II is too much So and where
rolling, it is too billy TO make II agreeable
farming.
The cOteaus or high prairies lying between
che Minnesota ana James rivers, and between the
latter and the Missouri, are very broken and
stOnyj and il those interested In the welfare OF
the dear people ever attempt TO build railroad
across them, they will find it a big Job and have
TO bring their ties long distance.
Although we saw signs Of Indians all along the
route, and picked up pieces Of blankets Indian
bows and arrows, war-clubs, &c, besides seeing
many OF their camping places, we were not for
tunate enough 20 get our eyes on a real live hos
tile Sioux and night before last when a number
OF 6ullY's scouts came into our camp, was the
nrst positive information we obtained Of their
being in our immediate vicinity.
On arriving &C our present camp we heard the
unweleome news that Captain Fields of the LIST
United States Regular Cavalry, who was sent
out with Sully as Typographical engineer, had
been killed the day before, under the following
circumstances He, with several scouts had
gone short distance ahead, and were lust riding
up TO clump Of trees 70 dismount and wait for
the command 10 come up, when three Indians
rose out Vi the grass, just ACROSS q small raYine