New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-12
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION.
ROUGH WESTERN DAKOTA.

SoRDTNG THE LITTLE MISSOURI - WEARY PROGRESS
THROUGH THE BAD LANDs--FIRsT SIGHT OF THE
YELLOWSTONE HILLS FROM THE SOUTHERN
SENTINEL BUTTE - DAKOTA NOT LAND FOR
FARMERS ITS FUTURE AS A GRAZING COUNTRY
NO MINERALS OF VALUE. YET FOUND.
lrRoN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUNEJ
BEAVER CREEK, Dakota, July 14.-0n the evening
Of the 10th of July after all days march through
the Bad Lands, tiresome to men and animals alike
10 which we accomplished only nine miles, we hnally
camped within mile of the Little Missouri. The
next morning we sighted few wagons and some
horsemen on the hills The discoyerer was not
little excited. The long-looked-for Indian, 1T was
thought, had appeared at last. A more powerful
glass resolVe the red men INTO the peaceful party
of engineers under charge of Gen. Rosser, who had
gone out 10 correct the survey in the Bad Lands lie
soon after joined at the river and reported that
their survey had been entirely successful. They
had found another valley in the Bad Lands in
which without much labor they could bring the
grade within the prescribed limits.
Taking party of scouts with Us, we started for
the river. Much difficulty anticipated in find
ing crossing as the river had been reported high
the night before We were, therefore, glad to find
when we reached Its waters that in the previous
eighteen hours it had fallen nearly foot. The
Little Missouri as its name implies, is a dminutive
of the big Missouri. 1t is one of Its chief muddy
tributaries. In the Spring and early Summer, 1t is
considerable Of river reaching width Of from 90
to IS yards. Through the Summer it gradually
shrinks in breadth, until it is reduced to small
stream and, at this distance from its mouth, is
almost entirely dry. 1t is without precipitOus
banks having a broad and shallow channel. On
each side of the river the bluffs and hills of the Bad
Lands rise in irregular forms. Its bottom is of
gravel or quicksand. The proportion of mud to the
volume of water was greater than in any stream we
had crossed. y
DRINKING WATER THICK AS CREAM.
The water dipped immediately from the river was
about the consistency of cream. 1t was the dryest
water ever saw. This did not prevent the soldiers
from drinking it plentifully and filling their can
teens to the brim Necessity is the mother of sub
mission as well as of invention 1t is singular how
an army life gradually modifes civil whims and
caprices. 1t is very natural notion of city resi-
dent that water taken as water must look clear.
slight tinge Of earthly matter in the NEWCOMERS
daily Croton would occasion complaint Such
proportion Of liquid mud as we have had to swallow
for the past month would create absolute panic.
Change the conditions sufficiently, however, and
your New-Yorker-even the most exact critic who
rejects the glass for the dust speck that floats on
the surface-must succumb. Clearness is no test
for water in this latitude. / have seen water in
pearances it was as good as could be found any
where but should have less fear of the conse-
quences from drinking half dozen glasses of the
earthly Missouri than of drinking this plausible,
clarified soap-suds OF all the water find here
the alkaline is the worst One Of the expedents for
correcting or improving the bad water is the adj
ditiOn of little citric acid, which makes, with
sugar. a pleasant lemonade little soda added
afterward makes pleasant efervescent drink.
FoRpINe THE LrfTfE MISSOURI
After reaching the water our first duty was to ind
the best crossing place for the wagon train. Glenn
ems" our guide, was the first to attempt crossing.
We watched his transit with much interest, as the
muddy water gradually rose above bis stirTups,
and in or two places lifted his little pony from
his feet Further up an island had formed from the
sand and silt deposits of the river scout was sent
to try the water there From the shore to the island
the water was shallow enough but between the
sand bar and the opposite bank the river had worn
pretty deep channel. Our scout pushed boldly on,
and though the descent was sudden and the water
no deep that it nearly hoated his horse, he gained
the bank without difficulty and shouted, Mime
Otav-nuch water. Horses could ford there, but not
our train. This looked discOuragng. We were
afraid we should be compelled to remain in
camp on the east side until the river
fell. We determined to make another trial
at a point lower down. where the river was much
wider. On our way we started covey of prairie
chickens, which rose and settled a few rods off.
Nont Of our party had shotgun revolyers would
startle but not secure. DisnQunting in the grove
from our horses the nearest clubs and sticks within
hasty reach made some passages through the air.
Several of the party came near being bruised by
this primitive method of bird hunting which
Columbus when he landed at Alta Vela used with
80 much success. The chickens, of course, escaped
without injury from our boOmerangs. With the
exception of one which confusedly dropped in among
the scouts and was secured, the attack of the adj
vanoed guard was not only blOodless but bootless.
The bird we found to be the pin-taled grouse which
forms different species of prairie chicken from
that found in Illinois.
DAYS JOURNEY OF SEVEN MILES.
After an hours work at the river we hit upon
good ford. The bottom was mostly quicksand, with
some pebbles and q very good come out" 1t is
always OF great Importance 10 find come out"
which shall not worry and work our mules. The
water at this point would come up to about the hub
of wagon wheels. Gen. Stanley Immediately
sent for all the cavalry and directed them cross.
The cattle crossed in the place back and forth
several times The effect of this re-crossing to
pack down the quicksand river bed and make COM
paratively firm road way. A little labor in cordu-
roying at a slough on the other bank and the way
was clear. The infantry forded without much
trouble aud by noon most of our train had crosse d.
Wewere still in the inhospitabeBad Lands and were
opnged IN leaving the river TO follow up the bed of
an old stream. If mules, like men who in individ-
ua cases are not totally dissimilar treasure up in
tnen heaps the memory of dates and experiences,
'Dey VIII surely not forget that day of stress and
.wN u n