The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-08-14
THE MCCLELLAN EXPEDITION

expeditions that was ever undertaken in
Montana left Sun River. under the com
mnnd of the celebrated prospector. Capt.
John l. Mcclellan, ON the morning of the
18th of May last. The expedition had
been for some time in contemplation
and numerous parties had signified their
intention of joining it, but had, in nearly
every instance, when the time for de-
parture drew nigh, relinquished their de-
sign. The fatigues and dangers attend
ant upon a journey of thousand miles
through a country inhabited only by
savages, and TO a great extent unknown.
had no attractions for them Others
that would go, had not the means with
which TO provide for the journey For
the purpose of assisting this latter class
the citizens. OF Benton, sensible of the
benefit which the expedition might be to
their town, very generously subscribed
sufficient amount 10 equip twelve men
TO be placed under the command of Capt.
Mcclellan, and 10 conduct explorations
along the eastern base of the Rocky
Mountains from Sun River to the British
Line. The morning referred To- saw the
entire pariy, TWEEN ty-seven men in all,
assembled on Sun River, al the crossing
OF the Benton road. The artist was there
with his camera to photograph the scene.
and the pencils of light which were held
by the hand of nature on that beautiful
May morning put upon paper descrip-
tiOn of the characteristic group which
our pencil would farm initiate, but can
not. Twcnty-scven horsemen in sad
die. each clothed in such uniform as his
fancy ur necessity might dictate, each
armed with an improved rifle, six shoot
ers and knife, and provided with ammu-
milton to the exten; %; from one hundred
and Fifty TO eight hundred rounds, and
all anxious To plunge into the Indian
country 10 search Tor guild, were assem-
DIed for the start Upon fifty pack
horses. which accompanied the expedi-
ton. were loaded provisions for ninety
days. cooking and mining utensils and
such other articles as might be needed
during a three months soiourn in the
,-iI,Io-aoso. W,th golden hopes before
them. they started. OF the journey Of
the expedition from sun River to the
Teton We shall not particularly speak.
The country was alive with game-buf-
falo. elk, bear, deer, ducks and geese
abounding-so that the task OF tue
hunters in supplying the party with
fresh meat was but light one. Arrived
at the Teton, prospecting commenced in
earnest. Taking with him three men,
Capt. Mcclellan followed this river to
tue summit of the Rocky Mountains.
examining, as he proceeded, all places
which seemed suitable for gold deposits.
But after having been gone eight days,
and after the main camp had commenced
to bc somewhat alarmed for his safety,
he returned 10 report nothing. Indeed
the region gave poor promise OF the
precious metal Ranges of Limestone
were met with on every hand. and nu-
merous holes and shafts sunk TO bed
rock failed To reward the prospectors
with color" or even with what some>
times passes for gold, black sand. Fiji
teen miles north of the Teton was Birch
Creek. With six days supplies upon
their backs, Capt. Mcclellan and two
companions started up the stream, but
snow and high water, together, doubt
less, with the natural poverty of the
country, again caused disappointment.
Upon the Marias, twenty-five miles fur
ther north, the limestone ranges still
continued, and still no gold. Twenty
FIVE miles to the North Fork of the Ma
rias, thence thirty-Gve miles to Milk
River, and twenty-five miles to n low
divide, the party travelled. This low
divide, a spur of the Rocky Mountains,
extending easterly from their base a
distance OF some twenty-five miles, con-
stitutes the water shed which separates
the streams flowing into the Missouri
from those to the north of il and which
find their way into Hudson Bay. Thirty
miles beyond this, the party reached
which are st. Mary's Lakes, two Ueauti-
ful liquid pearls, strung upon the spark-
ling stream, the glittering thread that
there adorns the form of nature. Upon
the banks of Belly River was discov-
cred bed of coal twelve feet in thick~
ness, and seeming TO DO very extensive.
Capt. Mcclellan, n former resident of
coal producing State, was much inter
ested in this deposit of fuel, and took
pains To test its quality. He found that
il burned as well as the best
Pittsburg coal and was equal TO il
in every respect. Extensive prospect
ing in the vicinity of 81. Marys Lake !
yielded no golden results. Indeed we
could hardly call the unsuccessful re-
connoitering parties that went out from I
the main camp. prospecting expeditions,
for Il had rnined almost incessantly since I
the gold seekers had FIRST started. and
the streams were all so swollen that it
was next 20 impossible 20 prosecute the I
search for the precious metal in a proper
manner. But, although no gold was /