Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-09-08
Correspondence of the New FORK IForld.
BLACK HILLS WONDERS.

correspondents OF the y eW YORK UOrLd.
BLACK HILLS WONDERS.
A Veritabie Eden-DiscOveries
of Gold, Lead, and Indications
of Silver.
The following is part of the official
report of Gen. G. A. Custar to the AS
sistant Adiutant General of the De-
partment of Dakota.
My. last dispatch was dated July Is,
and sent from PrOspect Valley, Dak.,
Longitude l03 deg, 46 min, latitude IS
deg. % MIN After leaving that point
this expedition moved in a southwest
erly direction until it reached the val
ley of the Little Missouri river up
which We moved twenty-one miles
During our passage up the valley Of
the Little Missouri, we had entered
and were about 20 leave the Territory
of Montana. Our course was nearly
due south. We reached the Belle
FOurche on the evening of the 18th If
July, enca ping where good grass
wood and water were abundant, and at
point short distance above that
marked ("l5n) fifteen on RaynOld's
map, just west of the line separating
Dakota from Wyoming. The follow
day was spent in camp.
On the 20 we crossed the Belle
Fourche and began as it were, skr-
mishiug with the Black Hills. We
began by feeling cur way carefully
along the outlying ranges of hills,
seeking weak point through which
we might make our way to the inter
i,,a Ne
q a'cended from the valley of the Belle
Fourche to mOove through a very sup
erior country, covered with the best of
grazing and abundance of timber,
principally pine, poplar. and several
varieties of oak. AS we advanced, the
country skirting tie Black Hill to the
southwark became each day more beau
tiful.
On the evening of the 22nd we halt
ed and encamped east amt within four
miles of the base Of Inyan Kara. De
string to ascend that peak the follow
ing day, it being highest in the ives
tern range of the Black Hills, did not
move camp the mex day, but taking
SMALL party with me, proceeded to the
highest point of this prominent land
mark, whose height is given as 5000
feet. The day was not favorable for
obtaining distant views but decided
on the following morning to move
due east and attempt the passage of
the hills We experienced cOnsidera-
BILE delay from fallen timber which lay
in our pathway. With this exception,
and very little digging, rendered de-
scending into u valley, the pioneers
prepared the way for the train, and we
reached camp by 2 o'clock, having
marched eleven miles. We here found
grass, water, aud wood of the best
quality and i'll great abundance.
A PROPULSION OF FLOWERS.
Or the following day we resumed
our mach up this valley. which / had
explored several miles the proceeding
evening, and which led us by easy as
cent almost southeast. After march
ing nearly twelve miles we encamped
at al. early hour in the same valley
This valley, in one respect, presented
the most wonderful as well as beauti-
full aspect. It's equal have never seen;
and such, too, was the testimony of al
who beheld it. In no public or pri-
vate park have | ever seen such pro-
luSE dlSDidl vi IIOWCISs SLCP VI
our march that day was amidst flowers
of the most exquisite cOlOrs and per-
fume. So luXuriant in growth were
they tina. men plucked them without
dismounting from the saddle. Some
belonged to new or unclassified. species.
1 was strange sight to glance back
at the advancing columns of cavalry,
and behold the men with beautiful
bouquets in their hands, while the
head-gear of their horses was decorated
with wreaths of flowers fit to crown
queen of May. Deeming it a most fit
ting appellation, named this floral
Valley. Gen. Forsyth, at one of our
halting places, chosen at random,
plucked seventeen beautiful flowers
belonging to different species. and
within space of twenty feet square.
The same evening, while seated at the
mess table, one of the officers called at
tention to the carpet of flowers strewn
under our feet; and it was suggested
that it be determined how many diff
erent flowers could be plucked with
ont leaving out seat at the dinner ia
ble. Seven beautiful varieties were
thus gathered. Prof Donaldson, the
botanist of the expedition, estimated
the number of flowers III bloom in
Floral Valley at fifty, while an equal
number of varieties bad bloomed or
were vet to bloom. The number of
trees, shrubs, and grasses were twenty
five, making the flora of the valley en-
brace l25 pieces.
Through this beautiful valley
fneanders stream of crystal water so
cold as 10 render ice undesirable even
at MONDAY. The temperature of two
of the many springs found flowing into
it was taken, and ascertained to be A
and AL degrees respectively.
PRECIOUS METALS.
AS there are scientific parties accom-
panying the expedition who are exam
lining into the mineral resources OF
this region, the result of whose re-
searches will accompany my detailed
report, omit all present reference To
that portion of our explorations until
the return of the expedition. except to
state what will appear in any event in
the public pFjnts-that gold has been
found at several places, and It is the
belief of those who are giving their at
ton to this subject that it will be
found in paying quantities. l have