The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-12

Teen mugs rom camp crossed q dry sand creek run
leaving these marched six miles over level, hard,
SANDY plain, where the line OF march Struck INTO
noon the column reached Seayer creek at its forks
where the command Went into camp having ing
marched twenty 1--we and ? hall miles IN Inc me
larger; but the water Is mostly absorbed by the
sand which is found in it's bed. The north fork IL
twenty wards in width, with sandy bed, water run
ming with rapid current six inches in depth; high
banks, impassable for wagons. The north fork OF
the Beaver rs about forty miles IN !, length ana inc
Major Elliott did not reach the camp OF the main
column having taken course TOO far TO the east.
Weather very GOLD.
NOVEMBER l7.-Lerr camp at the forks OF the Beaver
at seven O'Clock IN the morning. Marched east down
the north bank OF the Beaver for distance OF one
mile, crossed the stream and continued the march
on the south bank. The crossing was extremely
bad, the banks low; the river bed. about seventy
feet In width, was composed OF soft sand the wheels
OF the wagons sinking in hub deep. The
general nature Of the north bank consists
OF sandy bluffs and hills running within
100 yards OF The banks and very broken.
The south bank is fiat and rather sandy and from
one TO two miles wide. Crossed one small sandy
stream ana found number OF small sand hills, the
main his approaching much closer to the river. At
distance OF nine miles the line OF march crossed
Clear creek, line running stream, with no timber
on its banks; banks low bed of creek sandy water
one foot In depth, perfectly clear and good crossing
AFTER reaching the south bank marched two miles
over nat bottom and went into camp on the south
side OF Beaver creek after having marched eighteen
miles.
1NofEhbEh ic.-leit CdIp III seven n. M. IHe
column advanced in an easteEy direction down
the south side OF the Beaver. Marched
PACK rang em the hi river on the summit n. q
sand creek about one mile from camp
and struck Wolf creek, thirteen and one half miles
from camp. About four miles from Wolf creek the
column crossed the trails OF war party going north
about seventy-fve strong and two days old. No In
dams positively seen though cwo or three were re-
ported but they were thought to be the lankers OF
the column who were sent IN pursuit Of deserter
from the guard Arrived In camp at halfpast
twelve noon the southern bank Of Wolf creek. The
country was now reconn0ltred as far Us the mouth
OF Wolf river, which was found three miles below
consisting principally OF cottonwood with small
quantity OF elm lfamiliariy known as slippery
elml; grass remarkably good and abundant,
water excellent. Having now reached point
which seemed to indicate that desirable
locality had been found at which to
columns designed to operate against the hostile
savages, General Sully Immediately ordered recon-
noissance OF the adjacent country Ia his instruc-
dered to proceed 10 the Canadian river in the south
and find suitable point which would possess all the
winter grass for a large command, the distance
south Of Fort Dodge not to exceed to any great
erepo Of SUPPLIES for the proposed post s No
vember 10 thorough reconnaissance was made OF
the adjacent country and the result was entirely
satisfactory in view Of the objects in view. The
site selected for the proposed post Is Immediately
on the confluence Of the Beaver river ana
main fork OF the Canadian. The approach over the
route followed by our column is along the Beaver
and through an expansive valley mile wide and
three or four miles in length, terminating AT this
point. This valley is covered with q fine growth OF
grass very much resembling the muskeet OF Texas
The grass, though apparently dead and devoid OF
nutritious qualities. bears a seed which has been
found to be highly beneficial and fattenng for ami
mails. TO such an extent is this the case that the
animals have very much improved and are in better
condition to-day than before they started. There
another variety of grass also found, which, though
but two inches in height seems to be also
eACellenb grazing, ana NOTWITHSTANDING
the severe frosts, SHOWS and cold weather
the pioneer vegetation Of Spring ' This valley ndg
ing from the tracks and other indications. seems to
he favorite resort for the buffalo. On the river
front OF the proposed fort there Is dense growth OF
timber, heavier and In larger abundance than has
been seen all the distance from Fort Hays. On the
opposite bank OF the river Is series OF low hills or
mounds, which will prove excellent lookouts from
which to give timely notice OF the approach OF any
hostile force. good quality of sandstone, excel
lent red clay and gypsum are found and an abund-
ance Of game large and small. Possessing all these
facilities, the same day the troops began work
the proposed fort. Details OF choppers sent
into the woods under command of proper officers.
Mule and OK teams and teausters were also detailed
from the trains and were employed in dragging
In the huge logs which are to compose the work As
protection against attack from hostile Indians a
strong guard Is posted in the woods and keep sharp
lookout. The strokes or the choppers axes, the
shouts OF the transfers, the log fires and occasion
ally the bringing In of a goody supply Of wild tur-
keys, deer, elk or bunalo suggest rather the first
stages OF pioneer settlement and the work Of the
less peaceful pursuit OF war. From the woods the
logs are dragged distance OF nearly three-1ourths
ola mile to the site OF the fort, which stands upon
very slight emnence in the valley The surrounding
ground Is perfectly clear OF high grass and brush,
which might be used by an attacking party place
OF conceament for sharpshooters or as q cover OF
approach. The work, when finished, Will be q
stockade fort with place for stores also for pro-
lection for the animals, and In case OF being hard
pressed, OF refuge for the troops The latter will
encamp around the stockade on the outside. The
sockade will be about fifteen feet In height, and the
fort, when completed VIII be about l26 feet square
Connected with the selection OF this admirable
whom all is due. That person Is John simpson
Smith, an Old pains man, over sixty years OF age
Captain Smith, or Uncle John, as he Is sometimes
called. left the place OF his BIRTH Frankfort, In the
State OF Kentucky, when but young man OF twenty
two. Being OF rowing and adventurous disposition
he set out for the great and UNEMPLOYED West. As
rapper he traversed the vast region west OF the Mis-
sissppi, and finally found himself on the Pacific
slope OF the Rocky Mountains Here he passed seven
years, when he returned east OF the Rocky Noun
tains and for over thirty years has spent his life
among the Indians Of the Plains Most OF this ex-
ennes, the Indians who the first to open hosti-
ties against the whites. Captain Smith Is n
man Of remarkable esence lie assisted
wards Incorporated into Schoolcraft's volumin-
Gus work on the American Indians. Your
correspondent asking the venerable Captain where
he called his home, his reply was, wherever my
tent Is pitched pointing TO little AZ tent loom
ing out OF the snow and u little fre burn
ing in front; my sons are married and my
daughters are going to school In the States have
three sections OF tue finest land In Colorado Terri
tory, presented TO me by these same Cheyennes from
their reservation, and ratified 70 by the Senate OF
the United states.n At the time hostilities COM
meficed Captain Smith was living at Fort
Laramie. The implacable enmity OF the
Cheynenpee against the whites bad cut him of from
al communication with this nation. Has familiarity
with this region at once pointed him out O suita-
bic person to direct the lire OF march TO some suit
be locality. For this purpose General Suy re.
cured the services which the old man, though
Tar advanced In years, felt II hs duty 10 extend.
General sheridan expresses himself perfectly salts
ned with the site.
Although this post Will be temporarily the centre OF
operations In this section II II the intention Of the
General TO Keep M small force here after
hostities have ceased, means OF securing the
peace which II Is his Intention to enforce by the in
aruInent OF arms II he ia allowed without the inter-
ference of the authorities at the seat Of government
Ia prosecute the war already 40 vigorously com.
msnced and promising 60 vigorous prosecution.