New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-21


Missouri River.
FROM PROSPECT VALLEY TO LITTLE MIS-.
SOURI, RIVER.
SABBATH IN CAMP-PERuoUs MAIL CARRYING
GUARDING AGAINST THE ISDIANs-scIESTIFfo
RESEARCHES AND DIyERsIoNs-FIRsT VIEW OF
TILE BLACK HILLs-wAITING FOR THE BUG
HUNrERsTHE LITTLE MISSOURI.
FROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuyHl
BLACK HILLS EXPEDITION, LITTLE MISSOURI
VALLEY, July ls-Our rest in camp at Prospect Valley
OF those oasis experiences which In the POPULAR
metaphor furnish the memory with green spot We
had marched 10 successive days and made 2s miles,
average OF 17a miles per pay. We needed Sabbath ant
we had one, though it came Wednesday. Had We
remained over at the Cave our Sabbath would have
identical the Christian one but poor tho
grass that our tired and hungry animals would have
had to spend nearly all their time in hunting the mate
rial for q decent meal and would have been compelled
to take what rest they craved In the amenities Of
tus bed Another object in lying over day was ia
give officers and time to write few lines TO the
folks at home. the mail to be gathered and sent of in
the evening by scouts The chosen for thu
mission two Rec Indians, both usworthy men OF
experience and personal bravery. They quite will
ling undertake the work, and perhaps rather
glad than otherwise have opportunity to return to
their wives and families at Fort Lincoln They will not
ponies, with their saddles well packed with supply %
coffee hard tack and sugar, they set out at shutdown
for their journey OF 22s miles, undisturbcd by tne
Sioux who IL they should meet them would show them
no mercy, they will probably shorten trail, and
reach Lincoln in four days.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE.
The reports brough. in by scouts and fankers
well as the signs OF Indian neghb0rhoOd found along
line Of march, have induced Gen. Custer to take add-
train may not be delayed the daily march any
than necessary, Gen. Custer with his guides and ono
company OF pioneers, has been accustomed TO
era miles in advance to pick out road or make ono
when necessary To pursue this desirable plan with
safety advance guard has been strengthened by tho
addition Of two companies Of cavalry. from each
flank. These added to the pioneers and scouts make
formidable preliminary to the general adyaocc varying
daily from to $50 according 10 the strength OF
the companies detailed while the has still left for
protection guard OF $50 men, The change III pro-
gramme will furnish encouragement to Indians.
Leaving ProsI ect Valley Camp on the morning OF tho
10th July neghboring ridge of hills offered FOR Col
Ludlow, Chief Engineer. and his assistant, Mr..
Wood observation opportunity not to be neglected.
The other of the Scientific Corps invited,
and with Goose. guide and Egard the hat5reed. ~
interpreter and under the protection of Company b. h
Cavalry, Lieut. Ben. HodgsoD. commanding, we sepa-
rated from the main command for little picnic on our
we out of sight Of the train, and in section
OF country dstinctively different from shat which
had previously passed over high range OF hills with
broad table land top abundantly supplied
with grass, and furnishing tirber than
we had seen during the whole extent or
our trip agreeable adjunct 70
Prospect Valley and a strong contrast to the region
preceding. In our march from Lincoln have passed
over three sections OF country each presenting marked
photographic contrasts. First the rolling, bllowY
land which stretches out in shallow corrugaons from
Fort Lincoln TO the west and Is characterized by
sonal OF fine pasture. Then succeeds the deter
Grafton OF cactus alkali, and brush. with the at
tendant "Bad Lands" along the Grand River, which
greatly change the whole aspect OF the country and
render 1t utterly unfit for civilization. Lastly the lilly
ridges OF sandstone covered with pine. deeply Gus
with ravnes, and their precipous sides covered with
the debris OF crumbng sandstone. These hills
glad relief from the level Or rolling monorony which
had traversed for two weeks There an stern
ysage 70 the scenery which seemed natural and home
like.
FIRST CLEAR VIEW OF THE BLACK NILS.
From these hills had the first clear and distinct
view OF the Black Hills which from the Cave Plateau
had appeared only faint tangible line OF distinct
blue mist Now their dark heavy wavy outlines, hero
aud there sharply projected into bold peak butte
doomed up in blue vesture against the sky over fifty
miles away Prominent 10 the South was the rounded
crest OF Bear Butte OF the most conspicuous land
marks on skirts OF the Black Hills. Deers Ears md
Slave Butte again showed themselves fsom different
angie, and then Crow Butte. called from q baltic
which occurred at this point between the Sioux and
Grows which ten OF the latter killed. Below ue
right stretched the valley Of the Little Missouri
marked by the usual signature OF trees
aud the valley itself cut aud furrowed into thousand
tributary guies. We glad. however. to that
the river at ths point and further mp toward
its source was devoid OF the vicious Bad Lands
which disputed wagon train last on the Yellow
stone Eek peditiOn aud which seem to grow worse as
YOU follow the river its mouth. ugh" gruntet
Cease az we sat on the OF the bill looking toward
blatant knoll sparingly dotted with timber None
Of the party could anything except Louis
Exard the halfbreed who gave Q corroborstve nod.
Ftldgiassss produced yet then only few OF
the party could descry with their aid the little black
miles away the hill slope. who. with eyes keen
Gooses were probably watching their watchers To
our undsdphned gaze they were either trees or
insects, we did not know which but Goose
without moving his eyes from the spot on which
they were fixed. simply said. "sieux." We had
too much respect for his opinion to contend fof
our theory Then he pointed to white wreath OF smoke
anguidly floating in the distant sky. ana said Sioux
again. accompanying IL with Q look which could easily
be translated Put this that together" The wreath
OF smoke was An Indian bulletin The crawling insects
were q group Of Indian reporters Interviewing our
ut respectful distance, and publishing their