The New York herald., 1874-09-01
Return of Clusters Expedition
to Fort Lincoln.
DEATHS AND CASUALTIES.
The Single and BlO0dless EncOun-
ter with the Indians.
DISCOVERIES OF METALLIC DEPOSITS

Custer's expedition arrived at Fort Lincoln last
night, having, in fifty days, marched about 900
miles. and portion Of the command l6o miles FUR
ther Three men lost by disease, one by accident
and fifteen horses and mules comprise the losses.
The general health Of the command has been good.
The prevailing disease has been dysentery.
The command marched southwesterly from BIS.
marck to the headwaters Of the Little Missouri,
striking IL in Montana. aud in q general direction
travelled south into wyoming, thence eastward
into the Black Hills, which are principally in
Dakota.
ming IN the vicinity Of Hornless Peak, which is
correctly located on Mltchell's "New Atlas Of the
United states" and about seven miles south Of It,
in q region hereafter to be known as Custer's
PARK.
THE EXPLORATIONS FOR GOLD
were not very extensive but were enough so to
satisfy all that gold abounds in unlimited Quantt-
ties. One case is reported where gold was found
in the grass roots to The extent Of i've cents the
pan. A shaft was sunk eight feet, and the yield
pan at that depth, with every facility for mining
at hand. twenty persons accompanying the expe-
dltion here staked claims and posted notices, de-
clarlng their intentions OF taking possession as
soon as peaceable possession Of the country can be
obtained Gold was discovered at various points,
also plumbago. iron, lead and silver. galena and
gypsum in unlimited quantities. The country is
as rich as any in the United States. 1t has al
ready been fully described. It seems to be as much
paradise as an Ell Dorado. The command spent
twenty-six days in
ExPLORING THE HILLS,
and in doing this marched nearly 800 miles within
their rocky walls and almost impossible barriers.
They returned to Bear Butte, just outside the
hills, at their northeastern extremity August IA.
Here four Indians, supposed to be hostile, came
into camp and reported the story told by Horns,
that the whole Sioux nations on the head waters
Of the Missouri were determined to intercept
Custer, with his command. started over to see
about 1.-THE better TO locate the Little Missouri,
he says. in his ocial report; but he really hoped
to ind the Indians. But no natives were there;
whereat Custer's men, at least, were greatly dis
gusted. They had. however, burned the prairies
from the head waters Of the Heart through
the whole country west and northwest of the
h,lls destroying the grazing and making the re.
turn march tedious one.
THE RETURN
days, when, grazing being again good and the
supply OF forage and rations short, the command
was hurried along. marching on the time to
which they were limited BY their necessities. The
country west from Bismarck along the Valley Of
the Heart, through which the surveyed line OF the
Northern Pacific runs Qthe command following
stanleys trail on the return) is said to be an ex-
ceedingly fine one, yielding an abundance of wood,
water and grazing. What
THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT
win be about persons going into the Black Hills
country remains to be seen. II let alone parties
will winter there, and it will take many more
troops than are stationed in this department.
to make any interference successful. The explorer
who made the discoveries will lead q party back,
probably this fall starting from Bismarck, which
is about $50 miles, in a direct line. from Hornless