The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1873-1875, 1873-07-11

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Special Correspondence Bismarck Tribune:
GAxp OF YslLowsToss EXPEDITION,
MunpY CREEK, June rs, 1873.
EDIroR B1sMARcK TRIBUNE The
Yellowstone Expedition started from
Fort Rice June Goth, at a. NJ, and by
easy marches pursued its course across
the country to Heart River, where it
was expected to meet the engineering
party from the crossing at Fort A..
Lincoln, escorted by a detachment Of
the 9Th infantry, which was supposed to
be moving up the vallsk Of that river,
surveying TIE rodte of tss II. r b. b.
To that point no particular incident Of
unusual note occurred. All engaged
with the expedition were
ANXIOUS TO START,
as the short encampment at Fort Rice
on the dusty plain had. become to be
monotonous and little irksome.
THE ORDER oE MARCH
has been first the Indian scouts, mount
ed on native ponies, uniformed and
armed as our cavalry, the commander Of
the expedition and staff, pioneers, bat
talon of infantry, section of artillery,
scientific corps, baggage train in two,
three, or four lines as the state Of the
country and circumstances allow, and
in the rear the remaining infantry On
either flank march the cavalry at dis
tance of one-fourth or one-half mile.
Beyond all, securing and observing the
country for some miles in advance and
on all sides, are Indian and cavalry
scouts. Thus every precaution is taken
on the march, and in camp to
GUARD AGAINST INDIAN
attacks. The orders are that Indians
shall not be. fired upon unless they show
unmistakable signs Of hostility. Few
Indians or signs Of them have been seen,
though the stealthy rascals have YIN.
doubtedly watched the expedition in a5s
its course from their lurking places, and
have visited the camping grounds short
ly after the departure Of the rear guard
for a square meal on the refuse Of the
camp and the offal Of slaughtered ami
! mails.
AN ENLIvENlNG SCENE. r..
The scene as the expedition on a
bright morning breaks camp and starts
on it's march separating into its several
lines Of march along the winding trail,
or as it.descends into some broad valley
or plain where it's whole force is spread
out before the view at a glance is very
picturesae and enlivening, while the
band of the 7th cavalry awakens must
cal echoes in regions unused to such
harmonious sounds.
...- HUNTING. ,
The march has been varied somewhat
by the excitement Of hunting. Ante
lope have abounded and have been shot
in numbers along in the vicinity of the
column.
| GEN. CUSTER IN BUCKSKlH
hunting jacket, and familiar broad
brimmed hat, beneath which streams
his flowing locks, and accompanied by
fine pack of hounds. has indu]ged in
the sport with great zeal and success.
Others have taken an active part in the
hunt, aud as the operations are mostly
visible from the collmn, they are
watched with much interest, and have
materially relieved the tedium of the
march. -,. s,.s.s.
THE COUNTRY "
through which the expedition has thus
far passed is of valley character, we'll
adapted to grazing and intersected at
intervals by creeks There is no tim
Der or wood, but very sparse scatter
ing of stunted growth on the margin OF
some of the water courses. ~.
..- RAINS
| are abundant this season, and hardly a
day has passed without a thunder show.
er and sometimes several, some of them
of terrific nature, AS | am, writing a
heavy one accompanied by gale is
bursting over the camp. AS conse-
quencs tho low places and banks Of che
creek are soft and p,iry, and have oc-
casioned much detention to the trains
and annoyance to our mental equilib-
rum.
THE scIENTIFIC CORPS
have been diligently pursuing their in.
yestigations, and though to casual OBJ
| servation there is no great variety Of
plant life, yet they have found about
I50 varieties of fora, while birds, rep
tiles, insects and productions of the re-
gion Of such character have been COL
lected and preserved for final and special
examination and classification.
While in camp on Heart River,
awaiting information from the Engi-
neers, a detachment Of cavalry from,