Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-05-22
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION
FINAL REPORT.
To Hon. john r. Bruce :

10 Ion. JOIN II. Bruce
SlR: The final item in the history of tn,
Expedition concerns the attempt of Messrs
Reid and Bowlcs. ''T'hcy left tile Agcnc,
on the 23d Of March with mail for the Com
inand. They followed its trail to Fort Ter
Till % miles above the Big Horn-crossed tn,
Yellowstone 10 point of first fght-up Ros,
Bud to top Of divide, there met first Sioux
go lodges, who ran them IL miles south
east toward Tongue river. Then searched
again for the trail on Little Horn-mct fifty
Sioux DIGGING theul-same day saw at leas,
1000 lOlges-at last struck the trail after 20.
Ing GO miles to third Expedition camp beyond
Fort Smith. Went 40 miles farther than
Command. aud to within Is miles Of Fort
Phil Kearney. Beyond Fort Smith saw i'm.
mense Sioux camp which had followed Com
mamd. This side Clark's Fork saw q great
number of Sioux signal fires which the Grows
said were signaling retreat Of tho Expedition.
Saw four unscalpcd Sioux and many newly
made grave scafolds-2O wounded Sioux
horses and many signs Of the march Of the
Command. Found the country fine one
signs Of gold-and anxious to return to ex-
plcre it,"
After sundry efforts to secure couriers to
the Command, Messrs. Reid and Eowles or.
cred their services II their expenses would
be paid, and they are to be congratulated
upon the success of their perilous trip, which,
unfortunately, was not made until too late to
arrest the return of the Command.
CONCLUSIONS.
We must conclude from the data resulting
from the movement lst: That the Big Horn
country is fine and extensive stock and
farming region, suited even to corn and fruit !:
that It is exceptionally well watcred aud
stocked with hard timber. I'd: That evil
dences Of rich gold deposits exist; that coal
iron. copper. &C.. abound in all directions
and that its Uerking advantages as mineral
country are very great. 81: That the head
Of navigation of the Yellowstone will be
found anyway at Clark's Fork, and perhaps
as high up as the Mission and that wagon
road can be cheaply and easily constructed
to point which may prove the actual head
Of navigation. 4th: That the Sioux, though
formidable, can be subdueG much more easily
than has been supposed, and at one-tcnth the
legcndary-cstimated cost; ana that it needs
but one or two careful. systematic, persistent
to crowd them into submission.
They hold, against settlement and develop
ncnt, rich, beautiful and extensive region,
and so holding it, interpose bloody barrier
between US and an outlet to the East, Tor
want of which Territory, full Of entcrpriz-
ing ,ambitious, working men, suffers Tor mar
kct and tho nlHans of utilizing the results OF
their emigration into and development of
country they have sacrificed so much to open.
9Th: That, though the Expedition failed to
effect the main object intended, 1t has yet
proved many things in favor OF the region it
given new impulse to the long
desire to explore and settle 1t, and
has graduated into set led intention yet to
effect both desires, not only the zen who
have just made one effort, but many others
who until now had no confidence in the adj
vantagcs of the country or in the idea that
anything but an immense force could hold it
open to the operations of the emigrant. 9Th
That bad the desires Of the Committee been
carried out. the Command would now be To- /!
Gated below and an additional force would |
now be with it, no doubt resulting to lie !
benefit Of all parties concerned in the cpen-
ing ami settlement of the country, tho work. |
ng of its mines, the establishment of new
markets and tho early adoption of an aggres-
i've Sioux policy.
TIE COMMAND.
avele,l Coz miles; was out months cross
ID 81 streams; had four fights; lost (killcd)
INC man; had wounded two men; lost (killcd)
Y horses had wounded 20 horses lest
killcd) two oxen captured guns, pistols,
? horses and large amount of camp equip
,agc; took ten scalps; killed (probably) GO
ndians; wounded (probabiy) 100 Indians.
WHAT SHALL VIZ DO?
As ut least 125 Of the Command desire to
~ 1t again, as many others wish to accom-
AMY them. and as our existence almost de-
hands the opening Of the country visited. we
must hope yet to effect what this FIRST effort
las failed to accomplish.
Tic Secretary invites correspondence on
he subjec., and the Committee desires to
now who and how many wish to join the
lew organization cnd upOn what basis. I'M
Mediate attention is desired.
In concld4 'On-tlle Committee las done its
cst to make successful blames no one. 1t
hanks all who have aided the movement, and
~ ticular,y His Honor, the Governor. from
vhom it Inns lately re. eivc,. donation Of $50
Oward the expenses of the cOuriers.
COmmeldinS the subject of another expe-
itiOn to the consideration Of the brave men
tho lsave just returned to u, and to all the
eOple Of the Territory, l!
I am, for the Committee,
=. V. BOGERT.
Secretary and Treasurer.
Mr.. G.. G. BRoGAN, of San francisco, q /
slifornia miner aud capitalist, has been on