The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1873-1875, 1874-08-05
CUSTER. Is; g 81
Progress of the Expedition--Tne Ooun
try--Incidents Of the March---Lud
lows Cave Hunting, &c.
CAMP CUsTER's EXPEDITION,
SHORT PINE WooD July Is, 1874.}

CAMP CusTER's EXPEDITION
SHORT PINE WooD July Is, 1874.
..s "a THE MARCH.
The march has been a hard one, over
a country in the main uninviting
though much of it well adapted to graz
inc. Some of the Valleys are exceed
ingly rich and beautiful. Such is the
case in the valley in which we are now
encamped.
WOOD AND WATER. r.-l
There has been but little wood on the
route, scrubby stuff skirting the streams
only We have found plenty Of water; and
pretty good except in the Grand River
country where it was alkaline. Our
marches have averaged about IS miles
Der day, and at night we have always
found wood, good grazing and water.
One day we marched 81 miles. The
animals are all in good condition and
the men cheerful. eea g-, ssst>}
LOCATION. 80 .,..s...
Our present camp is. about 225 miles
from Bismarck-propably 175 in a
straight line, as we made detour Of
sixty miles to see cave, of which the
Indians told US such wonderful stories
of which more hereafter. We are still.
in Dakota, though within a few miles.
of the Montana line. e. III .""
Little Of interest has occurred on the
march except hunting to relieve the mo-
notony. An occasional accident to men
or animals causes delay; one of the
horses was bitten by a rattlesnake but
our very efficient veterinary adopted
effective remedies and the animal was
saved. The bite was followed by sweat
ing. blindness, trembling and staggering.
These reptiles abound in great numbers
and live with the owls and prairie dogs,
in the homes of the latter. l.-. ~
yE SO g. -LuDLow's CAVE. .sy....s
4 Our guides had told US much about a
cave which was regarded as the home Of
the great spirit, and they said buffalo,
elk, deer, antelope, and various other
animals and reptiles appeared there in a
translated state, but it turned out to be
very insignificant affair. The cave is
about twenty feet wide at the entrance
and extends back several hundred yards
|-perhaps ten feet high, evidently made
bv the action of water in the lime rock,
and on, its walls are rude carvings inten-
ded to. represent various wild animals
made by Indians though. perhrps by
tribes other than those now occupying
the country. ss...
5 SKULL.
Near the cave was a skull which the
physician pronounced that of q white
man. perforated by bullet, whose it
was. or when killed, are questions that
will probably never be answered.
INDIANS.
No Indians have been seen on the
route until within the past two or three
davs. when several parties have been no.
ticed in the vicinity. The Indians seem
! to be gathering in our front, and we
have noticed columns Of smoke going
up, which our guides say is signal,
and thew regard an attack imminent.
We do not fear the, result. however,
should the Indians attack us, as we are
strong enough to fight five times our
| number of the red devils.
s1Ai y 10. srANLEY-s TRAIL.
l. ,Stanley's trail of last year, can be
plainly traced, as ours may be tor many
years to come. The tracks made BY the
| wagons are the plainest, but the paths
made by each file Of infantry or cavalry
are plainly marked. % & " -lsI24.t
.|,,f&@sag5&s 0sHUNr1Na. So. 1s.s
It il we'll known that Gen. Custer is
| extremely fond of hunting, and he has
had much Of It on this trip so far.
Every day the General may be seen in
lbuckskin and broad-brimmed hat, ac.
companied by his faithful hounds. Every
.day the officers feast on antelope, which
| abound here in great numbers. It is
1almost impossible to keep the men from
4 firing con the .fleet-footed animals as
l,they rush across the path of the cor com
mand, and it cannot be done at all times; M
A few days ago, the men. in charge o.
one one lofsthe Gstling guns, left theiripiece
/ for /. chase after antelope. The team
| attached to the gun, became frightened,
| and away they dashed, "hell'to-sPllt
| over the prairie" They soon struck q
Islough, however, and miring, were cap,
tured. The drivers were d'smoun1eo
for { day, as a punishment for the!,
neglect. Gen. Custer's pack Of full
libiooded Scotch stsg-hounds take an i'm
portant part in the chase, snd the fe"
tEnplishmen in the command are su
] premely happy when they are in ful
ri... .f.ar = ;ack.rabit or an antelope