The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-25
CUsTAR's INDIAN EXPEDITION.

It will start for the Black Hills To-
Day-Detans OF the Expedftion-A Bat
tie 1T Fort Berth0ld.
correspondent Of the Winona (Minn.' Repub-
lcan writing from Bismarck, d. T., on the 18th,
gives the following regarding hts visit to the
headquarters or General Custar, whose expedition
against the hostile Indians In the Black Hills ten
days march distant from that point, is to start on
Thursday next
He was busly engaged In his preparations for
the expedition to the Black Hills, which Will start
on The 25tn. and We were assured by the General
himself s and many Of his once Slcsrs that they e1
ously guarded these hills, as yet untrod BY the
white man. but from what motive 1t Is yet uncer-
deposits which are known to the Sioux, who also
know that II discovered by their enemies the
pale faces. they would De swept from this
rich reservation by the avarce and cupidity' OF
those fortune hunters. The scouts VINO returned
last week sePort netwee1 anu ao9 OF me
hills. General Gustav goes amply provided with an
adequate force to repel any attack which may be
two null companies go with him, two companies Of
infantry accompany the expedition to act as ar.
be commanded by Lieutenant Chance. or the
twentieth Infantry. who will have in charge two
ang gs a4 me- pE nSons iona ra 1a se
Rec and Mandan scouts accompany the expedi.
tion, and there will also be = number OF practical
miners, assayists, metallurgsts and other
employ OF the government. General Shcri-
Forsythe and Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Grant.
The nghttng lorce OF the command " III number
], 100 souls We conversed with number Of the ON
GERS and with Mr.. Girard, the Indian interpreter,
and all expressed confidence IN the ability OF the
commander to repel any force which the Indians
might hurt against them. The seventh cavalry
fCustar's rcgInent) are fine body Of men, and
have mad long experience with the Indians They
have many an old grudge 10 settle with the red
skins, and are Impatient for the order to march.
country it will traverse has long been considered
the redskins council ground, and Is little known
no shu nastora or e"rcutnrs rev,on snnn
to De populated after being put In communication
with tue rest OF the world, Will be solved upon the
return OF the expedition.
The Bismarck Tribune OF the 18th speaks OF the
objective point OF the expedition "a tollows:-
The Professor OF Geology at Yale College,
together with mineralogists and other SCIENTISTS
sent out ny the government and several practical
ton. The hills may be seen at distance Of
seventy .nve miles, rising several hnndred eet
above the level, their sides covered with dense
forests of pine which gives them their black up
pearauce from which their name 10 derived. The
bcred with here and there u prairie the soil Is
very black and rich. score or more Of streams,
other rivers, i tie beds Or all these streams gold
Is found; even within ton miles OF Bismarck,
in the bed OF the Little Heart, which comes
IRON that vicinity. These hills are about 200 miles
from Bismarck They can be reached from BIS
marck better Than from any other point. From
bismarck to the Black Hills Is only i've days
ride or q ten days march. The route Is over "A
splendid country, good grazing, plenty OF timber
aud water, and viii be well guarded by the mill.
tary The Indians may make some trouble this
summer The young men rom all the tribes in the
country are gathering there, possibly 10 intercept
and harass the expedition possibly, as OF old, Tor
their annual sun dance: possibly 90 o1er up their
alteration TO the God OF the Indians and lay plans
Tor future campaigns.
The Tribune has she following:--
On Saturday y large body OF lnuians approached
Fort Berthoid, and, hiding. themselves behind
some bills, sent out small party TO attack the
agency. This party, as was expected, drew OUT Q
small force rom the agency, VINO attacked the
! sioux, routed them and rave them chase, follow
/ Ing them into an nmhuscsde, Ia which i've OF the
/ agency Indians were killed, one mortaIly wounded
| and one seriously. The attacking force Ii sup
posed to be the 400 sioux VINO LETT Cheyenne some
/ time ago. The news was received ut bismarck
! about the same tine that MaJcr Sperry arrived
| with his delegation, which had been to look &C
| lands In the Indian Territory. The Indians we're
| coptentcd anu wiling TO settle down 10 white
mans lie and engage In farming; but this news
act them wild, ana all they could think OF WAS
yenge. Should the indian war, which seems i'm.
mncnt, come upon Us, these Indians will DO good
service 10 the government; tor they hate the
sioux.wltn a hatred mere intense than that felt BY
The Sioux towards ;he wnltc man.