The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-07-07
From the Far West.

Doy, VINO Is out west hghtlng the INDIANS,
to his parents in this city, will be read with
interest by many of our readers:
CAMP ON SPRING CREEK, 81
MILES FROM CARSON
Cry, Col, June 2nd, 1870.
We are about to start on an
expedition after Indians tonight, and |
will keep kind of iiary or journal to send
you when We get back. We start in about
On hour There are three companies of
cavalry and one company of infantry. We
are to guard the train while the cavalry
pursue the Reds. The train is composed
Of tEirty-four wagons, in which are trans
ported our rations and forage. Ore man
is assigned to each wagon, and sergeant
and corporal to every ten. My ten bring
up the rear. We are to 60 twelve miles
tonight. There goes the bugle to strike
tents, and | must close.
JUNE 3d-Camped on the prairie with
out water; very pleasant indeed We
camped last night at Cold Springs, twelve
miles from where we started. struck tents
this morning at A. NJ, and l should say
that We came forty miles to-day, travelling
till after sunset. Our scouts failing to
find water We had to 60 into camp with out
any. The men are growing muchly. [
would not object much to taking drink
myself this evening. The scouts just came
in reporting water six miles ahead. |
must close, as it is my turn to command
the guard tonight. No one except the Of
ticers know where we are going, but it is
supposed that we are steering for the Re-
publican river. Mud holes on the prairie
JUNE 4th.-The scouts told the truth
this time, for we found water here, about
six miles from where we camped last night;
very poor quality though Nearly all
the water in this country is thick with aka
Ii, and this is more SO than common. Col
Reno, who commands the expedition, says
We will remain here to day for other troops
to come up. A knapsack is very awk-
ward thing to write on.
We have been travelling through very
curious country. Could it only be clothed
with vegetation it would be beautiful
Sometimes the surface of the country is
perfectly level for miles and barren of
areen grass. Then we will come to hills
and bluffs, and in the valleys between the
hills where water has settled it will look
green and nice. All that is required to
make this splendid country to live in, is
rain. Very little has fallen this year, al
though it is past the time for the rainy
season to commence. We see great many
antelopes every day and once in a while a
buffalo. We see more of the latter as we
approach the Republican river. We ex>
pect to reach its south fork tomorrow.
When we get into camp J. will continue my
letter.
CAMP SOUTH FORK OF REpUBLI
CAN RIVER, SUNDAY June 5th.
Arrived here about noon to-day. ex-
pected to see quite river, but it is not so
wide but what / can easily jump across it.
We are camped under the bluffs along the
bank of the creek, and we have plenty of
company in the shape of rattlesnakes, ta>
rantulas, centiped,, &c. The latter are
very poisonous. We are now on the
south fork of the river. Tomorrow we
are to proceed to the central or main fork,
which is twenty miles from here. One
company of cavalry is to proceed down this
fork to its muuth, aud when We get to the
central fork another company will proceed
north to White Mans creek, or north
fork, and follow it down to its mouth,
leaving two companies with our company
and the train to 80 down the main branch,
the other companies joining US at the
junction of the rivers near the Nebraska
and Kansas line. Another company of
cavalry overlook US to-day.
Quite little excitement was raised
about an hour ago by some of the cavalry
men who were out hunting buffalo al
most into camp. He was shot few rods
from the tents. The men are going for
fresh meat
CAMP ON CENTRAL FORK,
June 6, 1870.
This stream is somewhat larger than the
south fork, and some of the men are catch
ing fish. The land along the river bottom
is fertile and nice. As soon as the Indians
are exterminated, here will be a great
opening for farmers.
What glorious sunset witnessed last
night. Just as the train moved over
high bluff the grand old Fire King slowly
sank below the horizon, leaving behind
him a golden twilight which made the
prairie look more than beautiful. No des>
criptlon can be powerful enough to give
you realizing sense of the beauties of
genuine prairie sunset.
JUNE 7th.-Our course to-day has been
down the river towards the mouths of the |
forks. We passed over some splendid
land for farming, and when we had occa>
sion to pass up from the river over the |
bluffs the scenery was beautiful. Large
cottonwood trees line the river banks, &c. |
Looks very much Ike r.ip RI p;cbt