Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-08
An OVERLAND TRIP TO CALIFOK.
MA.
from our Special Correspondent.
OPPOSITE ASH Hollow. PLATTE RIVER !
July IL 1861 (

from our Special Correspondent
OPPOSITE ASH Hollow. PLATTE RIVER
July IL, 1864.
Editor SentineI:-The country from Ft. Kear-
ny to this point ia as monOtOnous as the Sahara
Desert. save the grass and the scanty timber on
the island OF the Platte river. The valley of
Platte varies in width from one quarter of mile
to three mies, and is exceedingly fertile, produc
ing nutritious grasses Of luxuriant growth |
verify believe that the entire cattle Of the United
States could be passed over this valley and be
well psstured. Nor is there much difficulty in
procuring fuel for the purposes of the emgrant
When drift. wood from the mountains and willow
brush cannot be found. there is an abundant sup
ply OF buffalo chips, which are an excellent sub
stitEte The road continues good, except in
three or four places of from one mile to three
miles in length. over and at the foot Of sand
hills, where the drawing is heavy, and doubling
teams is necessity. No stone is seen until at
or near Rat,lesnake creek. over $50 miles west
OF Omaha. where ou,croppings of limestone. va
riagated with a Few scraggy cedar trees, skirt the
valley on either side Of the river. increasing ia
hight and boldne~s The cres, Os these hills is
composed of sand and gravel, intermxed with
yerT little soil sustaining a scanty growth oil
cact and stinted grass. Springs of excellent
water abound At the bsse of tie hills. and rarely
do We travel over two miles without water from
creeks springs.
The rosd-side presents evidence Of abundance
OF buff4lo, at some time, ia its vicinity, IN the
skulls and other bones IF that animal bleachin .
upon the plains; but. as vet. none ct our party
have killed anv. and but few have been seen
Emigranis use these skulls for tablets, ADD many
a Smith and "A Jones has transmitted bis name
in letter. OF fire coal "a wondering after corners
Antelopes are seen on the distant hill-sides, but
without the jurisdiction OF our rifle Saipe
plover, larks and ducks abound, and an Occa
soual ;rsirie chicken j. 1ushed from IL covert
Dog towns ste NUMEROUS. with Irregular streets,
without, police government or other manifesto
tons OF more than ordinary Instinct, the hs,u
lent stories of travellers of the '.yaler kivered
orde. 20 the contrary notwithstanding
Two DAYS ago our camp was visited Tor the
first time with those Bedouins OF the Plains. the
Sioux Indians. o. the suk,on tribe ThcY
wanted fooo and readily gave dressed deer or
antelope skn for FIRE ten biscuits buffalo
skin for five or ten pounds 81 bacon, and pain
Of braided nocsssins fur tEu o. three biscuits
They ate roraoionsiy, and were evidently hall
starved They say thai be Cheyenne Indians
have scared he game from TIE south side OF the
river and Inst me tribe ], much scattered forced
20 20 in 10 small parties 10 quest OF game, which
Is scarce and likesise scattered otsr the plains
/ Thus far thew are better behaved than the Paw
nees. whom they Gerceiy hate. Their arms con
sist mainly OF bo~- and arrows, With An occs
sion,l esc0peile muskei and double barrelel
shot Gun They are better dressed, finer look.
ing. and u fairsr complexion tban the PA~nees
MANY OF them. however. sport nothing bur the
cool costume OF breech cloth Brass rings in
the nose. ears. on the wrist. fingers and ankles
attest Their vanity and sive them brace, ap-
pearsnce ore fellow. siying himself Chic,
had q continuance about ten iuche- long and -four
| wide made OF wood resembling the letter " in
shape. covered with brass tacks. arranged IN reg.
ulsr lines. except at the top, where a looking
glass vas inlsid This emblem Of savage roval
~ was suspended by thong to the wrist of Kis
Twany X ghness and the curiosity il attracted
gave him evident satisfaction They paint terri
bly-vorss than the galvanized beauties OF Fly