New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-10
A NEW GOLD COUNTRY.
DISCOVERIES OF THE BLACK HILLS EXPE.
DTTION


INDICATIONS OF GOLD EVERYWHERE IN THE BLACK
HILLS REGIoN-THE SURFACE SOIL WELL REPAYs
wAsIIING-A COUNTRY or GREAT BEAUTY AND
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES EFFORTS FOR THE
HUsBANDMAN-A DIVERSIFIED FLORA-THE HIGH
EST POINT IN THE BLACK HILLS SCALED.
pRoM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
BY ,peaag from THS TaBrss
correspondent
HEADQUARTERS BLACK Hills EXPEDITION, EIGHT
AND HALF MILES SOUTHEAST OF HARNEY's PEAK,
DAKOTA TERRITORY, Aug. 2.-The country which the
expedition has traverscd has proved TO be ore of the
most fertile and beautiful sections in the United
States Indications of gold were discovered about a
week ago, and within two days its presence in suf-
fcient quantities abundantly TO repay working has
been established beyond doubt. How large an
area the gold section covers cannot be determined
without further exploration, but the geological
characteristics of the country the researches of our
prospectors, and all the indications point to
valuable fields So far we have obtained
surface gold alone. Our miners hope yet TO find
good quartz lead The expiration of the Sioux
treaty will open TO settlement a beautiful and
highly productive area of country hitherto entirely
unknown. Grass. water, and timbers of several va
rleties found in abundance, and all OF excellent
quality; small fruits abound game Is plentiful.
The valleys are well adapted for cattle raising or
agricultural purposes while the scenery is lovely
beyond description. The fora is the most varied
and exuberant of any section this side OF California.
In this respect it is a new Florida; it may prove TO
be a new Eldorado. The command is in good health
and explorations are being rapidly conducted.
A VALLEY OF EXQUISITE BEAUTY AND MARVELLOUS
FERTILITY.
BLACK Hills EXPEDITION. WITHIN TWO MILES on
SOUTH FORK CHEYENNE RIVER, Aug. 3.-We have
reached this camp by march of 4j miles to-day. l
send by Charley Reynolds, a special messenger the
following summary of Gen. Clusters official report
made 20 date covering the history Of the expedl-
ton from July IS, starting from Prospect Valley,
Dakota. Leaving this point, the expedition moved
in southwest direction until it reached the val
ley of the Little Missouri, up which we moved Il
miles. The valley was almost destitute Of grass,
and left il in search of better camping ground,
making march of over 30 miles and dry camp.
In order TO secure camp during our passage mp ths
Little Missouri, we entered thetTerritory of Mon
tana for short time. From the Little Missouri 10
the valley of the Belle Fourche the country was
generally barren and uninviting The Belle Fourch6
was reached on the 18th Of July, and good grass,
water and wood were abundant. From
this point Just west of the line separating
Dakota from Wyoming we began askirmsh through
the outlying ranges of hills. The country was very
superior one covered with excellent grass, and nav
ing an abundance of timber, principally pine, oak,
and poplar On the 2?d we halted and encamped
within 40 miles of a prominent peak in Wyoming,
called Invan Kara 600 feet high, which peak We
ascended, lying over here one day. The expedition
then turned due east aud attempted the passage or
the Black Hills. After short march we came into
a most beautiful valley. Its equal" SAID Gen.
Custer " have never SEEN" such, too was tho
testimony of all those who behold the panorama
spread out before Every step of our march that
day was amid flowers of the most exquisite color
and perfume, some belonging to new or unclassifed
species The total fora of the valley embraces l25
species The water in the streams stood at a..
This beautiful vale was named Floral Valley. We
followed this valley TO the top of the western ridge
of the Black Hills, winding our way through little
park of great natural beauty.
ADIMISUTIvE INDIAN VILLAGE.
During our march through the valley, we came to
recent camping ground of small party Of
Indians and soon after discovered five lodges four
miles beyond To avoid collision party of
Indian scouts were sent ahead counsel with them,
preceded by a guide bearing flag OF truce. Gen.
Custer followed with an escort and, entering the
village assured them of his friendship and promised
them presents if they would come 10 his camp.
The village contained five men, seven squaws and
fifteen children. The Indians promised to camp
near us for few DAYS and assist us IN our eNpora-
tions. That afternoon three Of them came to camp
and secured the presents and promised to move
their Camp I'D near us IN the morning to protect
their camp from tie Rees Gen. Custer ordered
guard of soldiers to accompany them TO their camp
but the Indians. who had not been acting in good
faith. suddenly departed, ard two scouts were
sent after them with directions to request them TO
return but to use no violence. The Indians refused
and one of them tried 10 wrest gun from one of tho
scouts The scout disengaged himself and fired his
gun. wounding both the Indian and his pony,
though probably not seriously. The Indian who
was hit escaped, One Stab, the Chief, being
brought back to carp. The Indian village, during
the visit of the chief to camp, had packed up aud
departed One Stab has recently returned from the
hostile camp on Powder River, aud says that tho
Indians lost 10 killed in the fight with the Bozeman
Exploring Party. He remains with us three days
longer when he viii take his departure and rejoin
his band
GOLD FOUND ~ PROMISING QUANTITIES.
On the 9Oth we camped within fogr miles of the
western base OF Harneys Peak, which the next day
Gen. Custer assembled with the engineers
aud small escort. The peak was found
TO be the highest point in the Black Hills. Yester-
day we moved TO our present camp. Tnis morning
two companies under Col. Hart were dispatched 10
extend our explorations in a southery direction 10
the South Fork of the Cheyenne. Tomorrow Gen.
Custer with five companies of cavalry viii endeavor
to reach the stream in south westerly dIrec
ton from Harney's Peak, the wagon tram remaining
at OF near the present camp.
In no portion Of the United States not excepting
the famous Blue Grass region of keatucky, nave