Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-09-17
Correspondence of the Y6rkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM DAKOTA.

LETTER FROM DAKOTA.
FORT A. LINCOLN, D. T.,
September 3, 1874.
On the 9th of August, the Black Hills Elk.
pedition broke up camp in the southern part
of the territory and started back on the old
trail. Our objective point was Bear Butte,
but it was impossible to 90 directly to it, and
we were compelled to move backward. We
followed the old trail for a part of two days,
when, on reaching Elk Horn Prairie we aban-
doned the route we had been pursuing and
turned in the proper direction. Here We en-
tered a section entirely unknown to our guides,
and our only resort was the compass, and be-
ing governed in our course by the general ap.
pearance of the country. We succeeded just
about as we'll as we did with the guides; but
we had very rough ground over which to
march. In many places the forests have been
destroyed for miles by fire, and the timber of
fallen trees lies interviewer in every direction.
Our progress was necessarily slow; but We
were heading for home, and the men worked
we'll.
On the 18th Of August, we camped six
milessouth of Bear Butte. The eastern boun-
dary of the Black Hills being long, rough
and hilly ridge, we had considerable difficult
ty in crossing, and were compelled to move
twenty miles below the Butte. On the 18th
we remained in camp to rest, and on the 10th,
renewed our march in the direction Of Little
Missouri river, on the banks of which stream
we camped on the 18th, having marched nine
ty miles in three days. ...
The country through which we had passed
on those days was mostly rolling prairie, with
no timber and no running streams of water.
The soil is alkaline, with little or no grass.
The principal vegetation is cactus, which
grows luxuriantly, and in some places was so
thick as to render it almost impossible to the
horses in advance of the main body. Here,
as on many other occasions, we were compell-,
ed to carry 6re-wood along with US.
Following the Eastern Hills down the Lit.
tie Missouri, on the 24th we crossed the d.
vide, and camped on the head waters Of Heart
river. This river empties into the Missouri
at Fort Lincoln. Our way now was plain to
all, for we had passed over this same route
last fall on our way from the Yellow Stone.
On the 3Oth, we reached the crossing of the
river, and by II o'clock next morning the
last wagon of the train had crossed over, and
at 1890 we resumed our march, reaching the
post in few hours, and one day earlier than
had been anticipated.
The Black Hills Expedition is now among
the things of the past but the results which
may be accomplished by it are yet in the fu-
ture. In the way of research and discovery
muc'4 has been gained, while the topography
of the country, at least, has been pretty we'll
ascertained.
One result may be confidently expected,
and that is, rush will be made to the "Hills"
by adventurous miners, attracted hither by
the many glowing reports which have been
made by some of the correspondents That
indications of minerals have been discovered
is fact promulgated authoritatively; but I
am not sufficient mineralogist to affirm that
the Black Hills will prove an Eldorado, nor
is my faith sufficiently great to believe that
those smoky hills will ever yield that wealth
of precious metals reputed to have been taken
from the mines of Peru or Mexico, or even
our own Golden State on the Pacific coast
But be this as it may, furor has been crea:
ted that will not subside for some time to
come. Gold hunters are already swarming
into Bismarck, mining companies are being
organized, express and transportation compa:
uies formed, and all other needful preparations
are making for occupying the Black Hills,
The Indians may now yield their claims to