Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-19
The GRAND DUCAL HUNTING PARTY is thus
described by a newsnaper correspondent;

The GRAND DUCAL HUNTING PARTY is thus
described by newspaper correspondent;
"This Camp Alexis embraces about four acres
of ground, and is situated on Il low grassy plat
eau, from which the snow has been removed OF
the junction of the Red Willow with one OF its
small but now frozen tributaries, Two cnmpa-
MES 0: United States cavalry, L and X of the
second regiment, are located here for the puI-
poses OF this grand ducal buffalo hunt The
camp faces south, and looks out on Red Willow
creek. Twelve new wall tents, fitted up with
all camp convtniences, including comfortable
stools, are arranged in line for the accommoda-
ton oil the guests.
The dining room Of our camp is formed out of
TWO large maiquese, and is very handsomely
lcsOoned inside with flags. A sumptous BAN
quot was presented before the guests, after all
had reached the ground, last eN ening. The
meal included different varieties of game to be
found on the western praires. Choice wines
were served with the different courses. On the
run TO the Red Willow, Gen. Gustav killed a
prairie chicken with rifle ball, and the grand
duke was so delighted at the shOt-it took off
the chickens head--that he wanted a slice of it
for his Inner. Accordingly the bird was cooked
after we came into camp, and the duke relished
it exceedingly.
The splendid sunset of the previous evening
was quite surpassed by the brilliant coloring OF
the clouds that hung over the horizon at dawn
OF the succeeding morning. The sun, however,
soon dispelied the floating vapors, and the SKY
presented nothing but the sun itself in an I'M
broken field OF blue. Tue weather here is won
deriu for this season of the year; the dav has
been warm AID beautiful. 0vercoats have been
quite unnecessary, and some who brought them
found them cumbersome.
Very early in the morning Buffalo Bill went
out TO see what the prospects were. Before ten
O'Clock he returned with udngs that about ff-
teen miles distant there was a herd Of buffalo
browsing%On tue grass that grows on the divide
between the Rcd Willow and the Medicine his
was pleasing news to the grand duke and all the
other sporismen. OfdeIS were given at once to
make the necessary preparations to follow and
o find them Accordingly, soon after break fast
the hunters in our party, armed to the teeth,
were Snugly in then saddles. Gen. Sheridan
being slightly indsT OSed, did not come out with
US in the morning, hut we found in Gustav, who
was assigned the duty of the initiation of his
imperial highneSs INFO the mysteries of buffalo
hunting the most dashlng cavalry officer in the
Seryj ice, next 10 Gen. Sheridan.
The grand dukes hunting dl ess was very ap-
prUpriate and simple. 1t consisted of Jacket
and trousers of heavy gray cloth, trimmed with
green, the buttons bearing the imperial Russian
coat Of arms; he wore his boots outside lis
trowsers; his cap was an Australian turbIn,
with coth top. He carried Russian hunting
knife and the Smith & WGssOn revolver recently
presented TO him ana bearing the coat of arms
Of the United States and Russia on the handle.
General Custar appeared in his well known
frontier buckSkiu hunting costume, and if in
stead Of the comical seaSkin hat he wore he
had only had feathers fastened in his flowing
hair, be would have passed at a distance for
great Indian chief. Buffalo Brs dress was
something similar to Cusiars. When the three
started off nom camp together, tho duke, Custar
and Bil-all large and powerful and hardy
hunlels-they attracted the attention and admi-
ration Of every Que. Most of the members OF
rhe Imperial party went along and all the staff
officers IN camp.
lhe face OF the country was very much broken
up, and the suow in some spots was eighteen
inches deen. The grand duke awaited himself
Of Clusters expeiicuce, asked many questions,
and practiced running and shouting at mugin-
AIRY huifalOes as he went. Bill led us up and
down and round ravines aud over rolling lands
And sometimes in the SIGHT Of bowling wolves
IA distance Of nearly fifteen miles, when, Just
as we galCped up the rugged slope to the di-
vide, we came close upon part Of the nerd
that we had seen. The duke aud Gustav charged
together, but what seemed singular 10 the
hunters, the buffalo did not run; they stood at
bay, as if they had been expecting the imperial
party, and as if to say, come on bat Custar
charged through an open space and scattered
them. He kept his eye close on a biz bull that
was waiting TO 20 for the grand duke. Alexis,
however, rode close up 10 the animal and pur
couple Of pistol shots in hun, when he started
dow1 the ruvne, the duke and Gustav after him
-'''N'''Ni PDp iiou lut plslOl uuu nc lSllf NuNh
| Il shot from fife finished him.
cheer arose from the company When the
Duke uad rot his lame, out came his hunting
knlle ana on went the tail of the dead buffalo,
| which he brought into camp as trophy.
Meanwhile, the remainder Of the few that were
near enough were gone for by the other mem.
bcrs OF the party, and four buffalo were killed
| in all.
Two years ago to dav, the grand duke wos
hunting With his father, aud killed his Hrst Rus
sian bear. IL delighted his imperial hirhuess
Immensely TO mention the incident that he killed
his first buffalo on the anniversary of that day.
Another bond Of union between Russia and
America sand a member Of the imperial party,
while all joined IN congratulations TO the duke.
IL was now getting late in the afternoon, and
| by unanimous consent II was concluded that we
had bcltel gal0p back 10 camp bclOie dark and
leave the laraer herd beio Dd for the next laws
SPORT In the best Oi splits we now turned our
hOrs,s' heads toward our camp on the Rcd vii.
low creek. AS wecane within sight VI It, just al
sundown, we announced our return aud success
IN Indian style, with yells, which were respond.
cd ~ from camp.
] During our absence, Spotted Tail and his