New-York tribune., 1870-08-08
THE BIG HORN EXPEDITION.

RAWLINGS, W. T., July 3l.-Great anxiety IS
felt throughout the West concerning the fate OF the Big
Horn Expedition and many fear that II has fallen De
meath the tommahaw Of The savage, as did the ated
command OF Col. Fctter1nsn at Fort Phil kearney IN
1896 It has long been known to miners frontiersInen
and trappers that great deposits of gold exist In the Big
Horn country and many efforts have been made to get
at it, In 1885, VIXEN the Government TO IND shorter
route into Montana determined to occupy the line OF the
Powder River rom the Platte through to the Yellow
stone the event hailed with delight by housands OF
border men, for they thought that 1t would lead 10 te
opening I'D of tho gold fields OF the Big Horn region
The fate of the Powder River expedition under Col
Henry B. Darlington, 18th U. 3. Infantry, is 40 wen
known that it need not be related here suffice to say
a, after two wears OF unequal contests with the saw
aoes under Red Cloud, Forts Reno, Phi Kear-
new and c. +. Smith were disinantled' ana
the Government troops abandoned the country
During the time tho troops occupied the new hhe the
roads and forts were closely beeagued Dy hostile
bands of Indians that little opportunity was given TO
search for gold OF the severity OF the ndah war along
the Powder River the reader can judge wheh nc Is ou
that from the ostb OF July 1906 10 the 3st OF December
I'm the same year. the Indians killed 81 enlisted men, uVe
officers OF the army citizens, and woundcd ~ more,
while they captured and drove away 3O6 oxen ana cows
10, mules and 16l hOrses After the aDandohhI Vi o
Powder River line by the troops the country oi 'o Dig
Horse was sealed book, and no body OF men less tah
n held by the bands of Red Cloud who boosted that
he could at any time muster for battle 5000 warriors
while the troops were in the country the little pros
Meeting DONE showed the presence OF rich mneS Inc
soldiers found fine specimens OF quartz arouhu tho o
and the Indians frequently brought III nuggets anu i
gold stone One Grow Chief at Phil kearney presen'cu
10 Major Burt piece Of pure gold long nearly as ead
pencil and half as thick as his finger Inc Clei sdiu
that he knew where there plenty Of god but refused
to state where 10 could he found even IN wat decoh
from the fort. At time two Indians brought INTO forV
Laramie $40 900 worth OF gold and sold to the post IRA
der Mr. Bullock As early 1862 an Indian visited forv
Laramie and brought with him nearly peck OF golu
dirt 1t was so rich and so many were anxious 10 ouy T"
that the Indian became alarmed, threw the gold dust
into the Platte River and fed TO the hills Last year con-
siderable gold brought in by the Indians 10 the IRON
tier posts and the two who had sold Mr.. Bullock the
$4,000 worth confessed at the MILESTONE Agency they
had for years got gold at erreys Creek, stream about
fifty miles northwest from the Laramie Other lndahs
also told of rich gold deposits in the Black HIS IheSe
revelations caused great excitement along the border
and public meetings were held in some OF the most I'LL
portant towns. At Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, the
excitement was very great, and some OF the prncipa
men of the city entered into an organization
known as the Black Hills and Big Horn Mining Associ-
alton. Large sums Of money were subscribed heeuhss
held and agents sent to Eastern cities to obtain recruits
and funds for the expedition. ExMayor Murrln, Judge
Kuykendall Mr.. Garbannat, Wise. Judge Howe ana
many other leading men, took part In the enterprise
The expedition was thoroughly advertised In the news
papers and the Of hundreds Of men were received
from the East who we're desrous Of joining the expedi
tion At one time the roll contained 500 names, and
IL WAS believed that 900 could readily be had All went
well until about the middle Of February, when Cen.
Augur commanding the Department OF the Platte, was
nsruced by the Government at Washington to ask the
leaders Of Big Horn enterprise, where they were go
ing and on replying that they bound for the Powder
River Country they informed that these lands were
held by the Indians In peaeeabe possession according 10
a treaty made in 1856, and that no white man was al
lowed to occupy even TO travel upon them Ine Bg
Horn men continued to make preparations for an early
start, and when this reported 20 tho Government
enterprise and not to allow t to march, The PRESIDENT
of the United states even cent Icssse 10 81
armed was fitting out In wyoming Tor the aVOwed
purpose OF violating the treaties OF the Government
Gen Augur did the disagreeabe duty expected of him
deicstely possible and informed the Cefs OF the
Big Horn Gold Searchrrs that they could not march.
great excitement Immediately roused meetings were
held and the action Of the Government denounced as
tyrannca contrary to the enterprise and spirit of
the AGE in which we live. Judge Howe
Washington TO induce the authorities If possible to allow
the expedition depart and Senators Thayer Tfpton
and Nye and Representatives, Tafe, Nucko and other
Western men, were appealed 70 TO AID Judge Howe TO
the full extent Of their ability The excitement over the
matter very great and after weeks delay and
exerons on the part Of the friends of the Big
Horn expedition the Government, on the promise of the
leaders that they would not upon any Of the lands
embraced in the treaty with Red Cloud allowed the eXpe
dition depart. Preparations at once renewed
and day set for marching Oxen, arms wagons, aInmu
on, horses and provisions were bought, ana "a, camp
prise TO rendezvous Tne roll was brought out ana
letters written TO those who had signed it, informing
them of the time for marching. Agents sent 10
Omaha and Chicago to recruit and every effort was made
epnget @ hal killed It. Many said il would not 50 at all
and others that II it did start the Government would
send s troops and cannon TO bring the expedition back
When the day appointed for It's march arrived less than
100 were present IN eanp and the time OF departure
expedition got off, and the 9th uf June arrived at
Fort Fred steele, Wyoming Territory. There then
nearly every State and Territory in the Union. The
petition called itself The Big & Horn m Mountain and
President--Jadge ". T. Huykendall.
Executive Oficer-J. s. Farrar.
Secretary-C. Il. McCleiIand
Commander Of Battery-Co 7. R. Murrin.
Press CorTpspSndcnsHT B. Num- c. r. McCleland,
The expedition had with it when passed Fort Steele
a wagons loaded with six months supplies Of sugar
bacon, -four coffee rice, and tea They had also herd
cattle and 12pounder ried cannon Most OF the
miners armed with reachoaders, the Henry rifle
l6shoOter, it is called predomnating. They were
hardy y-ooking set OF men, many Of them having been
on the frontier years, and engaged in mining in Cali
fornia Colorado, and Nevada.
From Fort Steele the expedition marched to Rawlings,
where it received with great enthusiasm by the
populacc public supper being gwen them From Raw,
Atlantic CITY, and from thence Wind River by way OF
Fort Brown. Some Of the particulars OF the journey may
be gathered from the following extracts made from
private letter written by prominent member of the eX
pedtion and received here few days since:
From Rawlings marched To Cherokee Springs and
made first camp out from the railroad: Here We
waited whole day for cannon ammunition which wac to
he shipped from Cheyenne, but 1t not arriving We
pushed The second days march brought Us 10 Glen
Mary a deep narrow valley Oyershadowed by towering
peaks and immense buttes from the side OF which trick
led clear stream OF water that wound Ike a silver
thread down the valley. While we had been resting at
favOrte pony OF Of the men grazing near
the roadside when immense prairie rattesnake reared
its crest and struck the pony IN the Jaw. In
few minutes his head began 20 swell, and be
suffered great agony Fortunately one OF the boys had
quart OF brandy, aud we poured 1t into the animal
There sorry TO say, those among US who were
selfish enough 10 6egrudge the poor pony his bottle OF
brandy, and fellow said for quart of imported ar
Gle like that he would be willing 10 let the biggest snake
the prairie bite him. The pony got very drunk, but
after suffering great pain began 10 revive and at night
well. The third day out we marehed over 30 miLes