The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-07-31
Progress of Clusters Expedition to
the Black Hills.
Official Report from General Custer.
BISMARCK, d. T, July -, 1873, !
BLACK HILLS EXPEDITIONS. :
Hn...I.L-E-- u Ii

HEApeuARTERs BLACK HILLS EXPEDITION.
PROSPECT VALLEY, DAKorA-
Longitude one hundred and three (lO3) degrees
forty-six 40 minutes west Latitude forty
fave t45i degrees twenty-ninc t29l minutes
north.
ASSISTANT Adjutant General, Department OF Da-
kota, St Paul, Minnesota:
SMITHS expedition reached this
point yesterday, having marched since
leaving Fort Lincoln 2274 miles. We
are now 10 miles in direct line from
Fort Lincoln, and within five miles of
the little Missouri, and within about
twelve miles of the Montana boundary,
our bearing from Fort Lincoln being
south sixiy-two degrees west after the
second day from Lincoln.
WE MARCH OVER = BEAUTIFUL CoU-,-
TRY.
The grazing was excellent and abund-
ant. Wood sufficient for our wants, and
water in great abundance every ten miles.
When We struck the tributaries of Grand
River we entered less desirable portion
OF the country, nearly all the streams
flowing into Grand River being more or
less impregnated with alkai, rendering
the crossings difficult. We found
plentiful supply Of grass, wood, and va
Ter, however, even along this portion of
oar route. Upon leaving the head va
ters of Grand River we assembled the
( plateau separating the wafer shed ofthe
/ Little Missouri from that running into
! the Missouri, and found a country of
slrpassIng beauty and richness of soil.
The paSturage could not be finer, timber
/ i abundant, and water both good and
plentiful. As an evidence of the char
acter OF the country. we have marched;
since leaving Fort Lincoln on an average,
over seventeen miles per day, one day
making thirty miles; yet Our mules
and beef cattle have constantly improved
in condition, the beef cattle depending
entirely upon the excellent grazing We
have marched over. The health of my
command is something remarkable, not
q sick man being on the sick report;
every one seems not only in good health
but in excellent spirits. Between the
forks Of Grand River We discovered a
cave, to which the Indians attach great
/ importance. The cave extends about
I four hundred feet under ground. beyond
I which point it was not practicable to ex-
I plore it. Its walls and roof are covered
with rude carvings and drawings cut in
TO the solid rock, apparently the work
of Indians, although probably by a diff
4 ferent tribe than either of these now
/ roaming in this region. Near the cave
was found white mans skull, apparen-
! tly perforated by bullet. It had been
exposed to the atmosphere for several
years, as no white man, except those be-
longing to this expedition, is known to
| TO have passed anywhere near the locali-
~. The discovery the skull was re-
garded with universal interest. The
cave was found to contain numerous ar
ticles Of Indians equipments, which had
been thrown INTO the cave bv the Indians
as offerings TO the Great Spirit. / have
AIMED the cave Ludlow's Cave, in hon
or of the engineer officer of the expedi-
ton. Our march thus far has been made
without molestation upon the part of the
Indians. We discovered no sign indi-
eating the recent presence of Indians un-
til day before yesterday, when Captain
McDougall. Seventh Cavalry, who was
on the flank, discovered Il small body of
about twenty Indians watching our
movements. The Indians scampered off
as soon a. discovered
Yesterday the same OF Il similar sized
party made its appearance, and was seen
by Captain Connolly, rear guard, along
our line of march Soon after, several
signals of smoke were sent mp, which our
Indian guards interpret as conveying in
formation to the main body Of our pres
ence and movements. As ] sent pacific
messages to all the tribes infesting this
region before the expedition moved, and
expressed desire to maintain friendly
relations with them, the signals observed
by us may have simply been made to
enable the villages 10 avoid us. Our
Indian guides think differently, however,
and believe the Indians mean war.
Should this be the case, they win be
the party to iire the first shot. Indians
have been seen near camp today. Mr..
Grinnell, Of Yale College, ore of the
geologists accompanying the expedition,
discovered Yesterday an important fossil
it was bone, about, four feet long and
twelve inches in diameter, and had evil
IDENTIFY belonged to an animal larger than
an elephant. Beds of Ignite Of good
quality have been observed at different
points along orr route by Professor
Winchell, one Of the geologists of the
expedition. | do not know whether I
will be able to communicate with you
again before the return of the expedi-
tion or not G. A. CUSTER,
Commander of Expedition.