The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-09-27

Hunting for the Regiment--TheP Pasiime
of Killing Buffalos--Fourih OF July on
B0at--Soldiering on the Frontier-Pre-
paratfOns 10 Fight Indians-.An Indian
IusFacYc--The Terr it0rial Election
FoRr ELLIS, MONTANA,


j Sept. 2, 1867. !
EDIToKs JouRSAL:-The first copy of your
valuable paper reached me to-day, (the first
since leaving home, and many thanks for
the same L has added one more ray of
sunlight to my soldier home II found
me hard at work, but Immediately left my
work aud carefully perused its columns.
Since writing you last, finally succeeded
in reaching my regiment. Found the head
quarters at Camp Cooke on the Missouri and
at the mouth of Judith liver, one hundred
and fifty miles below Fort Benton. After
reporting for duty. was politely informed
by Col. Andrews Comd'g. Post, that my
company was stationed at Camp Reynolds,
(now Fort Shaw sixty miles west of Fort
Benton. j re.emarked on the steamer Ida
Faltoa and reached Barton on the morning
of July 18th, being enroute fifty-twO days
from Omaha. The trip was a long one, and
at times very montonOus. The only pastine
we had, YVES hunting buffalo when the boat
laid up for wood. l killed very fine buff
falo on the morning of July 21, and when
dressed it weighed over 800 pounds.
At sunrise. on the morning of the 4th of
July paraded the troops on deck and fired
salute in honor of the day. That was
about all that transpired out of the regular
routine of business. Eating and Sleeping
were freely INDUCED in.
After reaching Fort Benton, Capt. Smith.
Comdg the Detachment, hired an OK team
to transport our baggage and commissary
stores to Camp Reynolds, and at the 3 P. NJ
of the 18th we commenced our march, which
was very slow, the troops having to keep pace
with the OK team. Our liue of march was
over the Mullen Wagon Road" or better
known here as the Wells, Fargo d Co. s
Monopoly Road After three days steady
marching, Camp Reynolds was reached,
found it located on the south bank of a
beautiful stream, known SIS Sun River.
The country adjacent 10 the camp is bare
of timber and all material for building pur-
poses have to be tought at contract prices
which are very heavy.
After reporting TO Major Clinton, Comd'g,
] was assigned to d. Company, and recon-
menced ny soldering with the 18th Infantry.
found it to be very pleasant, having very
gentlemanly officers to serve with. The
duties of the troops are to protect the Mail
Route and keep open the line of communica-
tions in the central Iart of this Territory.
On the afternoon of Aug. Ith, Gen. Terry
and Staff arrived at our camp. The General
visited the Capitol and held a conference
with Gov. Green Clay Smith, in regard to
the location of a new Military Post in the
Gallatin Valley. In the morning he ordered
three Companies of my regiment TO proceed
at once TO the Valley, and there establish a
Post in The most convenient spot for the pro-
tec.ion of the people of Gallatin Valley. On
the morning of Aug. 18th the troops left
camp under command Of Capt. R. S. La
Motto, of my company, for their winter
home. After a march of thirteen DAYS
| brought us to our destination. Our march
| from Camp r. was over the Mullen Wagon
Road TO Helena City, thence ON the Diamond
| City Road TO Grow Greek, from there across
the head waters of the Muddy" Missouri
into the Valley. We have located the Post
in the extreme eastern portion of the Valley
and in close proximity to the Bridger and
Baseman Passes, which lead through long
and wide r:nge of Mountains, dividing this
Valley from the head waters of the Yellow
| Stone River. These two passes are the on v
ones by which the hostile Indians can enter
the Valley, and We propose giving them a
warm reception if they attemp. to make a
raid, having piece of artillery bearing on
each Pass, and half the command mounted
and the remainder armed with the mcst i'm
proved arms.
The Indians, s1me 500 Lodges, are now
at Fort Benton awaiting their presentS,
| (Which | am informed they will not get. !
They consist of portions of tribes from the
Peagsns, Bloods and Blackfeet. The only
tribe in the Valley are the Bannocks, which
at present are very peaceable Two of the
Big Chiefs visited camp yesterday to procure
little bacon and hard tack
Last week IS DIR. Mann, Capt Weston and
son were prospecting for gold on the Yellow
Stone River they were attacked by large
body of Mountsin Crows and Flsthead IN
ians, and the Doctor end Capt. we're killed
and scllp7d, but the young man made his
escape. They are very troublesome on the
Yellow Stone. The Governor Of Montana
has called for 500 volunteers, and most of
the number are enlisted and Oh duty on the
Yellow Stone River, under command Of Gen.
Neil Horvie.
The election comes off to-day for Tcrritor-
| ial tfficers as well as for Representative in
Congress. Col. Wilbur +. Sa. deTs, is the
Union candidate and James NJ. Cavanaugh,
the b'ood-thirsty Copperhead. Col. s. was
an officer in an Ohio ies siment and formerly
of Mansfield, Ohio, and il is hoped by all the
good citizens of Montana that Col. s. will be
elected.
Please pardon the length of this let ter snd
the manner of writing.
Hoping to see the JOURNAL regularly, l
remain, Yours,
g. CHANCE.