The New York herald., 1872-10-11

river had washed ont It's bed no indications Of
rsas ~ ~ere seen the blns being simply immense
river m nows through Che middle Of this valley, IL
Sesp ana ns sws about seventy-nve yards wide, and
from the time OF the commencement OF the sur
vey Ior nnal location the work Of the engineers be-
they could only accomplish about foar miles OF
their line day. SO the escort moved slowly east
day. On the 22d OF August, just after leayina a
camp on 0'Falns Creek, about three miles nom
Its mouth large party Of indians closed in upon
bluG on our right nank, threatening the column
rom both directions and especially putting stop
The wagon train was Immediately formed into a
compact corral, and the entire escort deployed
Of THE the Eighth infantry were detached SS rom the
right nank and sent into the bluffs to fight or
the enemy, which they succeeded in dong
after considerable firing and climbing. We suf-
fered no loss, and could not ascertain how much
we inflicted. During the engagement an Indian,
known Unpapa chief yelled from the blur that he
proposed to rally oil the hostile Sioux within call
to give our party battle before we got back across
the bad Lands" again. But as he and his party
very soon afterwards moved of In the direction Of
Powder River 1t 10 believed that he had too small
party then to offer any serious opposition AS far
as could be ascertained there were from one hum
dred TO two hundred Indians on the bluffs
OF. On the 24tn OF August, at midnight, supply
men, was started back to Fort Rice for supplies,
which, returning. would meet the expedition at
As the expedition would move back over the same
route 1t went out, deemed that had already full
filed my Instructions, and so returned with the
supply train TO Fort Rce reaching that post ON the
Sd Of September We saw no signs Of Indians on
the route back to Missouri River. The greater
portion OF the country passed over was unknown
heretofore TO any white man and even to the ma
orty Of Indians but we found It admirably adapted
TO the use for which It was explored, and
the line TO be adopted by the Northern Pacific Rail-
road VIII not only be comparatively straight, but
entirely practicable Extensive beds OF Ignite and
semi-bitumin0us coal were found at intervals from
the Missouri River to the mouth OF O'Falin's Creek.
Timber In considerable quantities Is also to be had
at Intervals especially fair growth OF pines was
found on the Little Missouri, as well as ash and oak.
Grass was found along the entire route, with good
water at short intervals. The bad Lands" which
had been considered an almost insurm0untable OBJ
strucuon, were avoided nearly altogether, and
ADDED by their picturesque and wonderful forma-
ti0n, greatly to the beauty Of the route.
Inc l0sslllzed tree ferns are found In immense
numbers near the Little Missouri, where their
shattered remnants have been reposing for CEN
tures On Cabin Greek the ground is strewn with
marine petrifactions such as the clam and what is
believed to be the nautilua
have the honor to append hereto map OF the
country passed over and scale Of distances.
am sir, very respectfully, your Obedent servant,
3. 9. KELLOGG, Captain Fifth Cavalry.
10 the Assistant Adjutant General Military
Division OF the Missouri.