Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-04-02

Letter No. 30.

lear Hegaster :-Ihe future OF DAKOTA
begins to brighten with the opening season.
Que year ago to-day the settlements Of the
Territory from the Big Sioux river to the
Yaukton Agency, . distance Of over .
hundred miles, was left defeuc eless aud
unprotected, to the mercy Of the hostile
Sioux Of the plain at that time farmers
were packing their wagons to leave the
Territory, now they are fencing their fields
and tilling the soil. Then the murderous
red'man skulked in our very midst, and
beleagured our citizens on the highways
Of the Territory now the trail Of the red
man is followed by that of the Govern
men. soldier; and 300 troops are distri-
buted among the settlements, which one
year ago were scattered over the frontier
hundred miles from the sound Of . mus
ket or the CLEAN Of bayonet. Instead Of
our citizens preparing to abandon the
Territory with their families and effects,
now Dakota is receiving accessions to it's
population from the neighboring States.
The Agent Of the New York Colony,
mentioned in my last letter, has arrived
and contracted for lumber to erect City
cabins for the temporary accommodation
Of the families on their arrival. They
will be landed BY steamboat At this place,
where they will remain until they shall
have examined the different localities in
the Territory and selected their places of
business and abode. The plan aud pro-
posed route Of the Indian Expedition is
inspiring our people with renewed hope
and courage. No more beneficial plan Of
operations or line of march could be de.
sired by the people Of Dakota, than the
one decided on by the Government for the
summers campaign in the Northwest. 1t
proposed to proceed up the Missouri river
with about $500 cavalry, to a poin. near
old Fort Pierre or the mouth of the Big
Sheyenne ;.thence westward, establishing
military post in sbe Black Hills and one
on the Big Horn, on the head waters of
the Missouri in the vicinity of the Gold
Fields Of Idaho.
Gen. Sioley will proceed with his forces
from Minnesota BY way Of Devils Lake,
upper James river and the valley of the
Yellow Stone to Idaho opening a north.
ern route and erecting garrisons thereon.
Three routes will thereby be opened thro
Dakota to the mountains, by the Govern.
ment, to wit the northern or Yellow.
stone line, the central or Black Hills route,
and the northern or Niobrarah valley
road, on which last route the Government.
has appropriated $4,000 for the pro,ec.
ton Of e"igrants during the coming sea.
son. The route opened by Gen. Sully's
forces, by way Of the Black Hills, will
probably be the most promine ut thorough.
fare to the mountains since by this route
emigrants can reach the gold mines at a
distance of little over 400 miles from
the Missouri river, at Fort Pierre. The
Black Hillside miles west
OF the Missouri-will, in the opinion Of
all explorers of that region, yet yield a
mineral wealth equal to that of the noun.
tain ranges $50 miles further west. The
coming expedition. followed ty its atten'
dant train Of explorers and miners will
test the mineral resources Of that region
and if moderate anticipations are realized
there will be opened there vast gold re-
gion, rs it were at our very doors, and
within FIVE days travel Of this city.
We are truly grateful to the General
Government for bes.owing this timely aud
needed attention to the interests of Da.
kota and the Northwest. It is giving q
new impulse to farmers, officials and poi.
ticians. Many are already erecting their
buildings in town aud country, and pre-
pairing homesteads which look like per.
manent residency.
LaBlanc and Bouret are just completing
: toll bridge on James river in this coun.
ty, at an expense Of not less than $1,000,
which is really an ornament to our county
and Territory, and reflects high credit
upon the energy and perseverance of the
men who have undertaken and completed
such a structure Of labor and expense in a
wild frontier country like this. This bridge
is on the Sioux City and Fort Randall
mail route, aud everything appears to be
made comfortable for man and beast, by
the erection Of saloon for tho ratering
VI the former and pump and trough for
the latter.
Officials and politicians are returning
from Washington to the Terri.ory-some
are removed and others appointed.
Maj. Bnrleigh is running for Congress
with 5000 sheep and : jackass. Judge
Bliss is in pursuit Of him with his grey
morgan stallion. Dakota is somewhat
noted for the stock. raising propensitics Of
hor DeleOate in COnOress Gon Todd