Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-19

THE IMPERIAL BUFFALO HUNT.

The telegraph mas announced the result
of the first days hunt by the Imperial
party on the plains of Nebraska last Mon,
day. A correspondent who accompanies
the party describes the hunt and party in
considerable detail. Of the camp pre-.
pared for the Imperial party he writes,
This Camp Alexis embraces about four
acres of ground, and is situated on low
grassy plateau, from which the snow has
been removed at the junction of the Red
Willow with one of its small but now
frozen tributaries. Two companies of
United States cavalry, Esand X of the
Second Regiment, are located here for the
purposes of this grand ducal buffalo hunt.
The camp faces south, and looks ont on
Red Willow Creek. Twelve new wall
tents, fitted up with all camp convenien.
cies, including comfortable stools, are ar.
ranged in line for the accommodation
of the guests.
The dinner ronm of our campis formed
out of two large marques, and ia very
handsomely festooned inside with flags.
A sumptuous banquet was presented be-
fore the guests, after all had reached the
ground, last evening. The meal included
different varieties OF game to be found on
the Western prairies. Choice wines were
served with the different courses. On the
run to the Red Willow, General Custar
killed prairie chicken with rifle ball,
and the Grand Duke was so delighted at
the shot-it took off the chickens head
that he wanted slice of it for bis dinner.
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 bril-
liant coloring of the clouds that hung over
the horizon at the dawn of the succeeding
morning. The sun, however, soon dis
PEELED the floating vapors, ana the sky
presented nothing but the sun itself in an
unbroken field of blue. The weather
here is wonderful for this season of the
year; the day has been warm and beauti-
tiful. Overcoats have been quite unnec-
essary, 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'oclOck he returned with tidings
that about fifteen miles distant there was
a herd of buffalo browsing on the grass
that grows on the divide between the Red
Willow and the Medicine. This was pleas
ing news to the Grand Duke and all the
other sportsmen. Orders were given at
once to make the necessary preparations
to follow and to find them. Accordingly.
soon after breakfast, the hunters in our
party, armed to the teeth, were snugly in
their saddles. Gen. Sheridan, being slight
ly indisposed did not come out with rs in
the morning, but we found in Custar, who
was assigned the duty of the initiation of
His Imperial Highness into the mysteries
of buffalo hunting the most dashing caval-
ry officer in the service, next to Gen.
Sheridan.
The Grand Dukes hunting dress was
very appropriate and simple. 1t consisted
of jacket and trowsers OF heavy gray cloth
trimmed with green, the buttons bearing
the Imperial Russian coat of arms be
wore his boots outside his trowsers; his
cap was an Australian turban, with cloth
top. He carried a Russian hunting knife
and the Smith IL Wesson revolver recently
presented to him and bearing the coat Of
arms of the United States and of Russia
on the handle. .sik
General Custar appeared in his well
known frontier buckskin hunting costume
and if instead OF the comical sealskin hat
he wore he had only had feathers fastened
in his flowing hair, he would have passed
at distance for a great Indian chief.
Buffalo Bits dress was something similar
to Custar's. When the three started off
from camp together, the Duke, Custar
and Bill-all large and powerful and all
hardy hunters-they attracted the attention
and admiration of every one. Most of the
members Oh the Imperial party went along
and all the staff officers in camp. eas7i
The face of the country was very much
h,Dl Dl,a,, tkA :s.
was eighteen inches deep. The Grand
ence, asked many questions, and practic-
ed running and shooting at imaginary
buffaloes rs he went. Bill led us up and
down and round ravines and over rolling
lands-and sometimes within sight Of
bowling wolves-a distance of nearly fif-
teen miles, when, just as we galloped up
the rugged slope to the divide, we came
close upon part of the herd that we had
seen. The Duke and Custar charged to-
oether. but what seemed singular to the
hunters the buffalo did not run they stood
at bay, as ii they had been expecting the
imperial party, and as If TO say Come
on; but Custar charged through an open
space and scattered them. He kept his
eye close on big bull that was waiting
TO 90 for the Grand Duke. Alexis, how
ever, rode close up to the animal and put
couple of pistol shots in him, when he
started down the ravine, the Duke and
Custar after him.. Another pop from the
pistol and he fell, when shot from rifle
finished him.
A cheer arose from the company. When
the Duke had got his game, out came his
hunting knife and off 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 members Of the
party, and four buffalo were killed in all.
Two years ago to day the Grand Duke
was hunting with his father, and killed
his first Russian bear. 1t delighted His
Imperial Highness 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 said a member of the Imperial
party, while all joined in congratulations
to the Duke.
1t was now getting late in the afternoon,
and by unanimous consent 1t Was con-
cluded that we had better gallOp back to
camn hefnra dark and 1aava the 1c~,.-