The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-23
THE LAND Oh THE SIOUX.
The Stanley Expedition Preparing
to March.
Composition Of the Military Venture Into
the Territories.
BAYONETS AIDING PICK AND SHOVEL.
The Northern Pacific Surveying
Party and Its Escort.
STANLEY AND CUSTER IN COMMAND.
lieutenant Colonel Fred. Grant Takes
His Place in the Column.
PROLONGED PlCNlC."
Expectations and AntieipatiOns Of the Herald
Correspondent.
The Northern Pacific Surveying
Party and Its Escort.
STANLEY AND CUSTER IN COMMAND
lieutenant Colonel Fred. Grant Takes
His Place in the Column.
"A PROLONGED PlCNIC."
Expectations and AntieipatiOns Of the Herald
Correspondent.
FORT RICE, Dakota, June 8, 1878

FORT RICE, Dakota, June s, 1873.
Here am in the land Of the Dakotas, and would
be perfect stranger but for the fact that the
HERALD's name introduces me everywhere and in
sures me cordial welcome that feel entirely
ct hOme Leaving Duluth, that city Of magnificent
promises, with no date OF realization fxed rolled
along the line of the Northern Pacific In nat
q gondola, as cars Of the kind usedto be called on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the old war
days. AS the road is transporting freight only no
provision is made for passengers, and he who sets
out with the expectation OF finding on this line
anything in the shape OF rolling stock
approaching, in point OF appearance or
comfort, one OF the Pullman palaces,
will make a grievous mistake. The terminus
of the road is Edmuntown, small place, which
would have no existence but for the railroad. 1t
h the Missouri River, nearly opposite the mill
tary post known as Fort Abraham Lincoln, now
garrisoned by four companies Of infantry 1moved
down the river a short distance to
FORT RICE,
which is to be the starting point OF the Stanley ex
pedtion, the most considerable as well as the most
important military enterprise undertaken by the
United States since Johnston marched his
battalions Utahward and stirred up the
pOlygamous dominions OF the party by
She name OF Young. Here is heard the busy
note Of preparation mentioned by the
crOOked-back Richard the night before the
fatal battle OF Bosworth Field. There hustle
everywhere. The scene is such as Of daily
occurrence during the days of the rebellion. Mules
are kicking In their harness and braying with all
the might peculiar TO their breed; flags are flying
gayly in the breeze. Ever and anon are heard
the ear-percing fife and the spirit stirring drum;
now a mounted stan oficer dashes by as II the
atuhf nf hiS n
green back ground OF field and forest CLEAN the
white tents Of the soldiers, who lounge the i've
long day waiting orders that Will project them
n human column across partially unknown con-
tlnent
On the night Of my arrival ! imagined that my
nose caught the delicate aroma Of war paint, that
there rang IN my ears the warwhoop from afar,
that before my eyes there glisteneu in the setting
sun the brandlshed tomahawk OF an enra2ed
Sioux: but slept well and in the morning learned
that these were vain maginings, for the Indian
here is semi harmless but of that anon.
The readers Of the HERALD, which has had the
enterprise to send one of its numerous correspon-
dents thus Tar afeld, and is, far as have yet
learned, the only Eastern paper which has had
the journalistic prescience to value this expe
diton at its full worth will be interested in mar
ration OF the reasons leading to the formation OF
the expeditions its composition, commanders
purposes, &c. The main object is
TO AID THE NORTHERN PACIFIC
20 stretch it's iron arm from the banks OF the
Missouri to the rot settlements OF Mon tana.
The road is happy in land grant, but unfortunate
In the money market. The wild Sioux roam over
acres, which are, therefore, not acceptable in the
money capitals OF Europe and America as security
for current coin Of the realm. The sale OF bonds
has been slow, and the enterprise has dragged
R,rhf hauid pno
ON Its property Of our unruly red brethren.
Boreas, a gentleman OF a very intrusive turn Of
mind, has issued his Injunction against the pro
gress OF the projected enterprise, and has served
his writ, which can be dissolved only as snow is
dissolved. Then there has never been much iath in
the project
II the payment OF assessments were not expected,
but the wiseacres the land over have shook their
heads and given 1t the cold shoulder 1t Is supposed
that the road mas very little capital but it Is cer
tain that it has SUFFICIENT money 10 carry on It's
surveys, and means to do 1t.
Il THE SIOUX AND THEIR WAYS,
Months ago application was made to General
Sheridan to send out such military escort as
would efectuaiy protect the engineering party
from the possible lorays OF Indians, whose friend
ship was matter OF extreme doubt. Through the
country into which the locomotive IS TO be driven
tile SIOUX roam protested but perhdious friends
They are strong and warhke nation, with many
noted warriors, sage cnieis and prolilc sguaws.
They are divided into Brues, lanktons, Pom
kas, Sautees, &c, but a. an lHnoisan
or "a New Yorker IS an American, SO IS Danle or
P0nka sioux. The crows toleraby brave race
of red men, are perched away up In tue northwest
corner OF Montana and Claim To be lrlends OF the
white man, Notwithstanding that they will steal his
horse lit his scalp il occasion presents. These
they regard as mere eccentricities, which their
: white friend and brother may certainly pardon If
only for the grim humor OF the thing In the north
west the Indians are az peace with civilization, re-
presented by the armies and adventurous nephews
OF Uncle sam; but a surveying party would not
trust themselves within reach OF tomahawk
less the red devil who owned 1t were covered by
Henry rlne in the hands OF professional marks
man. In accordance with
THE GENERAL POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT,
Sheridan decided to accord protection to the
employees OF the railroad From MS headquarters
III Chicago he instructed General Terry, command
ing the Department Of the Dakota, with head
quarters at St Paul. TO prepare Tor an extensive
expedition for the purposes indicated. General
Sheridan then detached General George A. For
sythe, OF his personal stan 10 make an exploration
Df the Yellowstone, with the object OF ascertaining
is availability as highway lor the transpor tation
Oi supplies.
rises IN the Wyoming Mountains and flows In a
southwestery direction through large portion OF
Montana Territory. From the mouth OF the Yellow
stone TO its Junction with Powder River is 235 miles,
The stream rs navlgable nearly all the way, the
only obstruction being two large rocks about thirty
feet apart, which block the channel at Key West
Fails, the last OF series OF rapids within three feet
Of the Powder River The boat in which General
f0rsythe made his trip was 300 eet In length, OF
proportionate width and drew twentysix inches
Of water The depth Of the river varies IRON iour
and q half feet to eight feet. The General
was OF opinion that the expenditure OF
. small amount Of money would render the chan
pei entirely safe for vessels with small draught
During the voyage. which lasted ten days-seven
IN ascending-no Indians were seen. The land
along the stream Is buiy, and resembles the Mis-
sourl above Fort Buford. But the greater part OF
me territory, far as seen by the General is tim
Dered with cottonwood and is available for cultiva
lion. The Yellowstone is not so muddy as the
Missouri; lis banks gravelly and the soft soil Is
not carried down the stream.
Having found that IL was practicable to establish
hpost at The mouth Of Powder RIVER General For
sythe returned and reported 10 General Sheridan.
Meantime General Terry was at work. AS early
as April 13 he jssned an order In which he made
known that an important expedition worhd be or.
ganized for the protection OF engineering parties
0f the Northern Pacific Railroad In making surveys
for the location OF the line OF that road between
che Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains. The