The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-16


by Mr.. Frank Thompson. who manages all their
railroad TRANSPORTATION ana Geographic business.
The American gentlemen are Lieutenant General
Philip u. Sheridan. General E. Ord. General
Palmer General q. A. Gustav. General Sweetzer and
General Forsyth. Colonel Forsyth, Colonel Sheridan
and Dr. Asch. OF tho Lieutenant Generals stafi to-
gether with the HERALD correspondent The officers
OF the cavalry companies present were Captain Egan
and Leutenants Fowler and ALLISON, OF company X,
and Lieutenants Stevens and Thomas OF company f.
Lieutenant Hays OF the Fifth cavalry, attended to
all the quartermaster business In camp aud Lieu
tenant Clark accompanied General Palmer.
TIE BANQUET ON THE WESTERN wILDs.
The dinlngro0m OF our camp Is formed out OF two
large marquese, AMI IL very handsomely festooned
inside with hags. sumptous banquet was pre-.
scented before the guests, after all had reached
the ground. last evening. The meal
included different varieties OF game to be found
the western prairies. Choice wines were served
with the different courses. On the run to the Red
Willow Custar killed prairie chicken with a rifle
ball. and the Grand Duke was so delighted at the
snot-it took Oh the chickens head-that he wanted
a slice Of 1t for his dluuer. Accordingly the bird
was cooked after we came into camp, and the Duke
reished It exceedingly.
SINGING SONGS AND SPINNING YARNS
After dinner some songs were sung and yarns
spun over the blazing camp fire. and one BY one tho
members OF the party retired to their tents to Sleep
perchance to dream OF the expected Buffalo hunt ON
the morrow. spotted Tail aud hts Indians bad
received notice to come up, and interpreters were
sent on to hurry them
GLORIOUS WEATHER FOR THE SPORT.
The splendid sunset OF the previous evening was
quite surpassed by the brilliant cOlorlng OF the
clouds that hung over the horizon at dawn
OF the succeeding morning. The sun, how
ever soon dispeed the floating vapors.
and the sky presented nothing but
The sun itself III an unbrOken neld
OF Dlue The weather here Ia wonderful for this
season OF the year; the day has been warm and
beautiful. Overcoats have been quite unnecessary,
and some who brought them found them cumber-
some.
THE FIRST HERD OF BUFFALO.
Very early in the morning Bufialo Bill went out to
see what the prospects were. Before ten o'clock
he returned with tidings that about fifteen miles
distant there was herd OF buffalo browsing on the
grass that grows on the divide between tue Red
Willow and the Medicine. This was pleasing news
to the Crane Duke ana all the other sportsmen.
Orders were given at once to make the necessary
preparations 10 follow and TO find them.
TO HORSE TO HORSE
Accordingly, soon after breakfast, the hunters in
our party armed to the teeth, were snugly In their
saddles. General Sheridan being slightly inds-
posed, did not come out with US In the morning,
but we found In Custer, who was assigned the duty
OF the initiation OF His Imperial highness into the
mysteries OF buffalo hunting, the most dashing
cavalry officer In the service, next TO General
Sheridan.
THE DUKE IN HUNTING ATTIRE.
The Grand Dukes hunting dress was very appro-
pirate and simple. II consisted of Jacket and trowsers
of heavy gray CLOTH trimmed with green. the buttons
bearing the imperial Russian coat Of arms; he wore
his boots outside his trowsers his cap was an Aus
tralian urban, with cloth top. He carried Russian
hunting knife and the Smith & Wesson revolver re-
Gently presented to HIM aud bearing the coat Of
arms OF the United States and Of Russia on the
handle.
GENERAL CUsTER's APPEARANCE.
General Custer appeared In his weknOwn
frontier buckskn hunting costume, and finsead OF
the comcal seaskin hat he wore he had only had
feathers fastened IN his flowing hair. he would have
passed at distance for Il great Indian chief. Buff
faO Blll's dress something similar to Custer's.
When the three started OIL from camp together
the Duke, Custer anu Bn-all large anu powerful
ano all hardy hunters--they attracted the attention
and admiration Of every one Most of the members
OF the imperial party went along and all the STAFF
officers In camp
PRACTICE BY THE WAY.
The face or the country was very much broken
deep. The Grand Duke availed himself OF Custer's
experience asked many questions, and prac-
fused running and shooting at imaginary
bulfal0es as he went Bill led up and
down and round ravnes and over rolling
lands-and sometimes within sgnt OF bowling
woves-a distance or nearly fifteen miles, when,
Just as we ga'loped up the rugged slope to the
divide we came close upon part oil the herd that we
had seen.
THE FIRST CDARGE-ALEXIS BRINGS DOWN HIS BULL.
The Duke and custer charged together but what
seemed singular to the hunters the bu1alO did
not run; they stood at bay, as II they
had been expecting the imperial party and as II to
say 'Come on" but Custer charged through an
open space and scattered them. lie kept his eye
close on big bull that was waiting "to go for the
Grand Duke. Alexis, however, rode close up to the
animal ana put couple OF pistol shots IN him,
when he started down the ravine, the Duke and
Custer after him. Another pop from the pistol and
he fell, when shot from rifle finished HIM.
THREE CHEERS FOR THE RUSSIAN HUNTsMAN.
cneer arose from the company. When the Duke
had got his game. out came his hunting knife and
on went the tall or the dead buffalo, which he
brought into camp as q trophy. Meanwhile the
remainder OF the few that were near enough were
.gone forn by the other members OF the party. and
four buffalo were killed in all. One OF them led
GENERAL swEETZER AND MR.. THOMPSON
distance OF three miles, but they finally brought
him down. Count Olzonfen secured MS IN gallant
style, though the victory over the animal was not
easily won. lie who killed the otner shall be name
less but 1t Is of the incidents OF the day that he
secured his game.
"REMINISCENCES OF RUSSIA.
Two years ago to day the Grand Duke was
hunting with his father, and killed his first Russian
bear. II delighted His Imperial Highness i'm
mensey to mention the incident that he killed his
first butYao on the anniversary OF that day.
"Another bond OF union between Russia and
America" said a member OF the imperial party.
while all joined In congratulations to the Duke.
RETURN TO CAMP IN TRIUMPH.
lat In ha af,a md I'm