New-York tribune., 1873-12-27
1.-THE CAPT. JONES EXPEDITION"

THE CAPT. JONES EXPEDITION"
SUCCESSFUL EXPLORATION oP A NEW ROUTE TO THE
WONDERS OF THE YELLOwsToNE-DIsTAFCE FOR
A TOURIST FROM THE EAST SHORTENED BY 400
MnRs-GREAT DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED AND
OVERCOME BY THE ExPLoRERs-A VALLEY OF
FERTILE SOIL WELL woODED-sCENEIY OF WILD
AND PICTURESQUE BEAUTY.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE tribune
OMAHA, Neb., Dec. 14.-The Yellowstone
Expedition the magnitude of its military prepara-
and the extent OF its operations has excited no ntte
attention Iis not however generally known that there
were two Yellowstone expeditions entirely independent
Of other starting from different parts OF the coun-
try different military auspices, and with different
obects The details and Of Gen stanleys
expedition have been fully described in THE TRIBUNE
Concerning Yellowstone Expedition No. 2, however,
scarcely anything has been made public. one rea-
son being that the expedition was only about one
quietly organized and conducted The field
of Den. stanley's operations which dotar-
mined the name OF the expedition he conducted, ex-
teuded some 800 miles up the Yellowstone River. The
other expedition, under Capt. Jones, was directed to
what is more popularity known the Yellowstone
country-namely the vicinity Of the wonderful geyser
re gion IN northern Wyoming which has been set apart
as National Park. Not few Of those who went
Gen. stanley's expedition were misied ny the name
Yellowstone into believing that the goal OF that e1
pedton the National Park, whereas it Old not go
within 900 miles OF it. The Yellowstone River II must
be remembered s pretty long stream-three or more
times as long the Hudson-and parts OF u are nun
dreds of miles away from the park.
Within the last three years the marvels OF the Yellow
stone park from time 10 time set forth by pen
and photograph, but they have been In no wise ex
hausted The industrious and extensive researches OF
Hayden, the descriptions Of DOane, Langford, and
others, have made the region famous. The Yosemite
has found a rival which enthusiastic observers
declared far surpasses 1t In submity The region
has been wisely set apart for National Park and the
next question how shall be made accessible TO the
traveller. prominent indeed the chief object OF Capt
Joness e1 1pedtion to determine this question Inc
chief authorities regard to the approaches OF the
Yellowstone Lake and the topography Of the Wind
River country have been Hayden and Reynolds The
former paid special attention Yellowstone Lake
and the natural wonders OF the Park The latter before
the wonderful character Of the geyser region was KNOWN
had gone up the Yellowstone Valley and then passed
through the Wind River country 10 its head waters
Neither Hayden his predecessor found direct route
to this region from Lower Wyoming Bridger, the IA
nous guide of the North who accompanied Hfyden
In mort Of his explorations considered direct Ioute
from the Union Pacific Road due north through wyoming
as impossible Bridger declared that there was sn i'm
passabie barrier that could not fly unless
he took provisions with him. Hayden In reaching the
Park was obliged to mako very crcuitous route going
away up into Montana 70 Fort Eis and then descend.
ing and approaching the Park from the north.
MEASURES. FOR DETERMINING WHETHER KEW ROUTE
WAS PRACTICABLE.
Gen Ord. commanding the Department Of the Platte,
was very of testing the truth Of Bridgers and
other reports by thorough survey Of tae country from
Camp Brown in Wyoming, north TO the National Park.
At HE suggestion the expedition authorized and
under his direction 1t organized. An appropriation
Of believe. some 5000 was applied 70 this purpose
While the main object Of the expedition was 70 deter
mine the prscticsbty of q wagon route or Q railroad
through to the Park, collateral object study Of
the scientinc wonders which enrich this and pecu
liar country To this end o competent scientific corps
was organized and instead of being merely incidental
to the expedition with Gen. sanieys party formed
one Of It's essential features
The expedition has done its work how successfnlly
viii appear from the account that follows Capt Jones
has Just made preliminary report; his full report IL
will mouths to compile and months TO print Prom
this preliminary report to which have had scces and
the accounts Of ofcers and scientists of the party am
enabled to give sufcienty full history Of the exped
tion long In advance Of the ofncial one.
The order authorizing the expedition issued May
ls 1873 The extract following describes the military
organization:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or TIE PLATTE
OMAHA. NeD., May Is, 1879 5
spsetoi Orders No. s.-C4pt William A. Jones, corps
of Engineers, will proceed practicable 70
North. Western Wyoming and there make recounois.
waters Of the snake, Green Big Horn Gray Bull Clsri
Fork. and Yellowstone Rivera. Re win organize and
is y" JoSs: !. =
si.tsnt Assistant Surgeon C. a. ~ LHei1%.S U. 9 Army.
and TO ths commanding ossr Of tbs escort - medical
ofcsr for the troops The Acting A,sstaut Quarter
pointed sS The once,
will Is5fS,ph ne ss S1y q a asS
GRO d. RU0GLks, Assistant Adjutsnt General
The expedition srgansed In Omaha, and consisted.
Of tho following persona viz, DR.. c. c. Parry. Cerh
Botanist and Mstsoroiegist; Prof. 7. B. Comssoch.
0eoogist; Assistant Surgeon C. l. Hssmsp, u. D. H.,
Chemists Second Neus Q. Z Blsns Isth Regiment Of To-
fautry. Astronomer; beceDd Lieut. II. Young Nh
Regiment Of Infantry A. A. II. end A. O. g.; Losis vsn
Yrobsn Chef TuDeeraphsr y. w. Bond, Paul L. Hardy
ga ns~n Qshh~t Annin1snt Tonogynnhnvo nesron0m