The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-09
Rest and Recreation ON the Yellow
stonc-Fred Grant Wants to go Home
Brave Catholic MissiOnary.


Brave Catholic MissiOnsry.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER, July Is, 1873.
The expedition still remains here, although we
are now on the eft or west bank OF the river with
the exception OF q detachment Of the Seventeenth
infantry, under Major CrOfton. who win escort the
engineering party up the east side, to complete
their line before crossing, and the troops who will
remain behind to guard the stockade and supplies
Much has been done In the past few days. stock
ade 1875 feet square has been erected; the immense
train Of ESQ wagons and the entire command has
been ferried across the river The Key West has
MADE two trips 70 Glendves Creek, returning with
full loads Of forage and stores and preparations to
start for Pompey's Pillar are about completed.
Yesterday Captain French's squadron Of cavalry
escorted the engineers back into the country
about fifteen miles and returned in the evening.
Until yesterday the headquarter camp had been
situated on dry prairie about mile from the
river, which, after day or two, was enveloped in
o cloud OF dust. The wagon train was continually
on the move, carrying stores and as the heavy
wheels ground the sod into Dust, the strong wind
hurried 1t across the camp. covering everything.
Although we bathed in the river twice day and
used every precaution, it was impossible to keep
ourselves anything else clean. Tents, blankets,
clothing and food were covered with fine powder
like dust that was most execrable, and all were
heartily glad when we moved.
The camp OF the Seventh cavalry was much
more pleasantly situated, being in the woods skirt
ing the bank of the river, where plenty OF shade
was obtainable. General Custers tents were
placed on slight elevation in the centre OF the
camp, surrounded by tall cOttOnwOOds from
whence he could view the whole of his command.
The days in camp were spent in sleeping, read
ing visiting and writing letters home. The rest
was an excellent thing for the command, as the
thirty days OF continued marching had wearied
them greatly.
PLENTY OF GAME.
Game has been very plenty since we left Fort
Rice, but we expect soon to be able to have as
much OF 1t as we WISH Some OF the officers and
men have been very successful In their hunting,
particularly General Custer and Captain French. OF
the Seventh. Nearly every morning on breaking
camp General Custer, attired either in a
y with '' dog tied to each uns sirrup and
accompanied by several orderies would start
out over the hills hunting for antelope, ana would
rarely return without one or two OF the beautiful
animals as specimens OF his craftsmanship. Other
officers have been nearly as fortunate, while many
show no game. Besides antelope we have had elk,
mountain sheep and the sage hen--a bird similar
We hope to fall with buffalo IN the vicinity OF
the Mussel Shell, when those who have good horses
Will be able to have rare and fine sport.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL FREDERICK GRANT
who has been with us SO far suddenly took It into
his head yesterday to go down to Fort Bulord on
then await the return OF the Key West, when he
will go East at once. II was rather risky adven-
W ,HTe s sa' through al right n0pe 6urns s' the
trip he has conducted himself modestly and
IN most gentlemanlilke manner, and Is much h
me he was ordered to report upon the feasibility Of
erecting military post on the Yellowstone and
Judge the best place for fert is the spot now Oc
cupied by the stockade erected this week. IL is
of wood near a, hand and lar enough away from
the hills to render an attack from Indians imprac-
ticable Tor them.
BLUE FLOODED VOLUNTEERS.
Accompanying the expedition for pleasure are
two young English nob!emen, Messrs Clifford and
Wordsworth; also young gentleman, Mr.. Frost, of
st. Louis. They have their own "Outit OF wagon
tents horses and mules, and are fully equipped for
the journey. They appear to enjoy themselves and
will no doubt carry home good accounts Of this
fertile Valley OF the Yellowstone.
This morning quite a sensation was created in
camp l had been over the river with Colonel
Hart and Lieutenant Braden, and was waiting for
the boat TO return to take us across when couple
informed us that little while before q small white
topped buggy, drawn by a single horse, was OBJ
served making its way down the hills in the direc-
ton OF camp. No one could surmise what its
business was where II could have come
from, as no such vehicle was along with the com
mand Soon 1t came up and 1t was then seen to
contain a single man. VINO was enveloped la black
gown. He alighted, introduced himself as
THE REV. FATHER soNMERHElsEN,
a Roman catholic missionary, and stated that he
had LETT Fort Rice on the 18th inst,
n IN the sad s oav ss seemed at
first incredible, but when he produced letters from
friends at Fort Rice, dated 18th July, they were
forced TO believe 1t. The brave old gentleman had
actually travelled alone over an Indian country
distance OF over two hundred and fifty miles, when
il considered necessary TO send force OF 800
soldiers to protect party OF engineers going over
the same route. He told his story with molesty,
in a friendly camp. He had travelled during ing
the cool portions OF the day, and subsisted
entraly on cold food, ham, bread. &C His horse
rs IN good condition, Notwithstanding the TACT that
he has been driven so far without a particle OF
forage. He had not seen an Indian on the road, or
any signs OF any. Perched on the top OF his wagon
was black cross, the emblem OF ms profession,
faith in which, he said, had brought him through
safely Father Sommerheisen ~ an ola Indian
missionary. having been on the frontier since
1854, and is known TO nearly all the Indians
OF this region. In 1862, during the Indian mas
sacre in Minnesota, he stationed In tne south
western part OF the state. where he showed his
bravery by laying down the cross aud taking up
the sword. He commanded company oil men and
defended his town with great skill. HIS object in
following the expedition out mere seems TO have
been the desire to be first on the field, has been
the aim Of his brothers IN all new countries. The
father VIII accompany the expedition rom this
point Till ITS return.
Tomorrow the Key West Will start up the Vel.
lowstone 10 O'Fallon's Greek, carrying with ner
the engineering party and Colonel Crolton's de,
me TO accompany them. which ] viii do. and tell
you the result in another letter The entire com
mand WI also move SIX miles up, where they Will
await the return OF the boat, when she will return
TO Bismarck and we will move on.
General Rosser will return by the Key West
leaving IN charge Nj. A. o. Eckelson, a gentleman
In every respect competent TO conduct the survey.
The stockade will be left IN charge Of one company
OF the seventeenth infantry and two companies OF
cavalry, commanded respectively by Captains Pear
son and Benteen. They will remain there until the
expedition returns.
On Board the Key West Going Up
Ssream-Scarching for Curiosities.
STEAMER KEY WEST.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER July "a, 1873.
Yesterday morning embarked on board This