The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-12

DISCOVERIES OF TIE BLACK HILLS IHrEDI-
TIoH--A New geld COUSTRY---Gencrai Gus.
ter's Black Hills expedition had reached the
western base of Harncy's Peak on the 30th
ultmo. On the 22d they halted and en-
camped within lo"ty miles of prominent
peak in Wyoming called Inyan Kara, GOO
feet high, which peak we assembled, lying
over here one Gay. The expedition then
turned due east. and attempted the passage
OF the Black Hills. After short march we
came into most beautiful valley. dts
equal" said General Custer, II have never
SEEM Such, too, was the testimony Of ali
those who beheld the panorama spread out
before US. Every step OF oar march that
dav was amid flowers Of the most exquisite
color and perfume, some belonging 10 new
or unclassited species. The total fora Of The
valley embrace 1875 species. The water in
the streams stood at Al degrees. This BEAU
tiful vale was named Floral Valley. We fol-
lowed this valley to The top Of the western
ridge of the Black Hills, winding our way
through little park of great natural beauty.
Gold indications showed its presence in
sufficient quantities to repay working, aud
the country promised to be one Of the most
beautiful and fertile sections in the State.
During the march through the Floral Valley
dimluuiiye Indian village WIS discovered.
| To avoid collision 4 party Of Indian scouts
| were sent ahead TO counsel with them, pre-
ceded by guide bearing flag of truce.
General Custer followed with an escort, and,
entering the village, assured them of his
friendship and promised them presents if
they would come to his camp. The village
contained five men, seven squaws, and
! fifteen children. The Indians promised
to camp near lis for few days and
assist us in our explorations. That
afternoon three of them came to camp
and secured the presents and promised to
move their camp up near us in the morning
to protect their camp from the Rees. Gene
raj Custer ordered Il guard of soldiers TO ac-
company them to their camp, but the H.
dams, who had not been acting in good
faith suddenly departed. and two scouts
were sent after them with direction to re-
quest them TO return, but to use no violence.
| Tue Indians refused, and one OF them tried
to wrest Il gun from one OF the scouts. The
scout discngaged himself and fired his gun,
| woundiDg both the Indian and his pony,
though probably not seriously. The Indian
who was hit escaped, "One Stab" the chief,
being brought back to camp. The Indian
village during the visit Of the chief to camp
had packed up and departed. Zone Stab"
has recently returned from the hostile camp
on Powder river, and says that the indians
lost ten killed in the fight with the BoZeman
Iexploriag party. He remains with Us three
days longer, when he will take his departure
aud rcjOin his band.
On the 3lst General Custer, with the en-
gineers, assembled Harney's Peak, and found
it TO be the highest point in the Black Hills.
General Custer, in his report on this region,
says:
In no portion of the United States, not
excepting the famous Blue Grass region of
Kentucky, have1 ever found grazing supe-
rior to that which grows wild in these hith-
Ell to unknown regions. l know Of no por-
ton of our country where nature has done
so much TO prepare homes for husbaDdmen.
and left so Little for them to do as here.
Everything indicates an abundance of mois.
ture within the space occupied by the Black
Hills. Gold has been found in several places,
and it is the opinion of those who arc giving
J attention to the SUBJECT that it will be dis.
covered in paying quantities. Ihave upon my
table forty or fifty small particles of pure
gold, IN size about that of small pin.head
! Most of it was obtained to-day from single
pan Of earth, but as we have not remained
longer at any camp than one day, it will be
readily understood that there is no oppor.
tuuity to make satisfactory examination in
regard TO deposits Of valuable minerals
Until further investigation is had Regarding
the richness of the deposits of gold, no opln:
ion should be formed. Veins of what the
| biologists call clearing quartz" crop out
on almost every hillside. All existing geo
logical or geographical maps of this region
have been found incorrect.
The northward march begins in few days
from this date, and General Custer expects
to reach Fort Lincoln by the 3lst Of August.