The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-29
FROM The FRONTIER.

WOU1 uoO- saOuUsss
Interesting Description Of the
Country. s1
Lake Traverse-C oteau de Prairie
skunk Lake-Great Fish Story
Cheyenne River-soldier Drowned,
CHKYRNNE RIVER, NEAR BALD H1LLoCKs,l
August 10, 1860. }
TO tie Editor of the Pioneer: ~ '''
My last from Lac Traverse detailed the char
acter of the country through which we
march has been in Dakota Territory, and I
propose to give . short description OF that
portion through which we passed.
From our camp near Lac Traverse we had
fine view of the Coteau des Prairies for many
miles bove and below Us. As far as the eye
could extend either way, the sides or ravines
Of the Coteau YVES well supplied with timber,
and learn that there ore many well timbered
lakes on the Coteau. Ifear, however, that the
altitude Of these lakes will render agriculture
precarious, although the land is fertile and well
located. --gr ...-e .-- er,..s7s nal
Along the base of the Coteau, however,
there is no doubt Of the land being taken for
settlement, as soon as the difficulties now ex.
isting with the Sioux shall have been definitely
settled. The land Is of an excellent quality
running water i abundant in all the ravines,
and the timber exceeds the wants of al agri-
cultural community. 80
On the Dakota side Of Big Stone Lake, there
is considerable timber, but 1t is not 80 aband-
ant and the land is not 50 good IS ON the Min
nesota side. Lac Traverse is rich in soil, bat
there is very little timber on either side. On
the fat between Lac Traverse and Big Stone
Lake, Mr.. Angus Brown has q beautiful loea-
ton, on the site Of the old Sissiton village.
He has from three to five hundred acres of rich
land, that has been several years under cultiva-
ton by the Indians, but he has to haul his tim
Der for building and other purposes some ten
miles. His crop this year win, with the ez-
ception ofhis potatoes probably be . failure,
doubt of the point he has selected being valu-
able for agricultural purposes hereafter.
From Lac Traverse to- Skunk Lake we
passed near the base Of the Coteau, and over q
most lovely section Of agricultural land. Tim.
Der is abundant, running streams numerous, the
land rich and fertile, and favorably located.
Skunk Lake Is near the head Of the Coteau,
and our line of march from here to the Chey-,
enne was through d country entirely destitute
of timber, although well watered and the sod
good Fla = .-r,oi.gs,sau.8 a. ~ .Da
grazed the stock on the banks of q lake known
as Buffalo Fish Lake, which SURPRISES anything
principally pike) which 1t contains. In the
course of two hours about five hundred of
these fish were taken, averaging about four
pounds each. ygg3 S.I.I iitF II - H1' -
Those who had regular hooks and lines were
most successful, but nails and hooks of
curb chains attached to the brides were con-
verted into fish hooks, and Whips, bride reins
may sound like g fish story but 500 men
can testify to the truth of the statement.
We reached the Chyenne River at the Great
Bend on Friday evening, and remained in
camp until Monday morning, to afford the men
an opportunity Of cleaning up, and also to doc
tor the oxen that began to have sore necks.
we have followed from the Big Bend to this
point, has considerable timber on its banks, 4
and the soil is fertile. At some places there
are large bodies Of timber, and the valley of
the stream being wide. there is no doubt but
this stream win some day accommodate q large
agricultural population.
what unsettled as yet. ] am inclined to believe
the Colonel commanding has not definitely set.
tied upon any course of action. Ihave heard
nothing reliable in regard to the location of
any hostile Sioux, further than that they are
not at Devils Lake, where we are going. Ev-
cry person acquainted with the country and
the habits of the Indians, is satisfied on this
point. 5eai .fo1Egl
We are marching upon Devils Lake, and
once there, we will probably wait for some
thing to turn up" ,ss b.
We may go to Turtle Mountain and cross
over to the Mouse River, and come across
some Indians, or we nsdy move from Devil's'
Lake direct upon Abercrombie, and thence to
St. Paul In this we have an illustrious pre-.
cedent, for we are told that
1.-THE King Of France, with forty thousand
Marched upa hill, and then marched down
again." na -.I sEf
August II, 1866.
We haye had the misfortune to lose q young
man named Johnston to-day. We had marched
about fourteen miles, and stopped on the bank
OF small lake, to water and Craze the stock.
In the lake there were large number of young
geese that could not fly. After many futile ex-
ertiOns to gobble the geese, three men pre-
pared to swim the lake and endeavor to catch
them in that way. Two OF the men crossed
the lake in safety, but the third became
frightened or fatigued, or both, and within 100
yards of the shore went down. As soon as his
condition became apparent to his comrades on
shore, every exertioh was made to reach and
save him, but he sank the third time before
succor could reach him. His body was found
some three hours after he was drowned, and
he was inferred near the lake in which he lost
his life. He is reported to have been a young
man OF promise and is universally regretted
by his fellow soldiers.
If another chance occurs will give you fur
thsr details OF the incidents OF our march,
that will be sent ITO the States"
Yours, &C., DAKOTA
SOUTH CAROLINA CONvEN ZION.
New York, Sept ola telegram from