Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-27
The Black Hills Expedition.

A dispatch has been received from
Gen, Custer reporting the progress Of
the Black Hills expedition from July
10 to Aug q The previous dis
patch was sent from Prospect Valley,
Dakota. On the Goth, after crossing the
Belle Fourshe River, the expedition be-
gan skirmishing with the Black Hills by
feeling its way along the outlying ranges
of hills, seeking a weak point through
which IL might make its way into the in
terror. On the Gath Gen. Custer at
tempted the passage of the hills. He
experienced considerable delay from
fallen timber, but the command was
able To make eleven miles, when they
went into camp In a valley where wood,
water and grass were abundant. "This
valley, (says Gen CUSTER in one respect,
presented the most wonderful as well as
beautiful aspect. Its equal have never
seen, and such, too, was the testimony of
all who beheld IL. In no private or pub
lie park have | ever seen such a profuse
display of flowers Every step of our
march that day was amidst flowers of
the most exquisite colors and perfume.
So luxuriant in growth were they that
men plucked them without dismounting
from the saddle. Some belonged to new
and unelassified species. IL was a
strange sight to glance back at the adj
vancing columns OF cavalry, and behold
the men with beautiful bouquets in
their hands, while the head-gear of the
horses were decorated with wreaths of
flowers fit To crown Queen of May.
Deeming it II most fitting appellation,
named this Floral Valley Gen For
syth, at one of our halting-places, chosen
at random, pluckeS seventeen beautiful
flowers belonging to different species,
and within a space of twenty square
feet. The same evening, while seated at
mess-table, one of the officers called at
tention to the carpet of flowers strewn
under our feet, and 1t was suggested that
ii be determined how many different
flowers could he plucked without leaving
our seat at dinner-table. Seven beauti.
full varieties were thus gathered Prof.
Donaldson, the botanist Of the expedi-
tion, estimated the number of differ
ent kinds Of flowers In bloom in
Floral Valley at fifty, while an
equal number of varieties had bloomed
or were yet to bloom. The number of
trees, shrubs and grasses was estimated
ut twenty-five, making the total fora Of
the valley embrace t25 species Through
this beautiful valley meanders stream
of crystal water, SO cold as to render ice
undesirable even mt MONDAY. The tenn
perature of two of the many springs
found flowing into it was taken, and as
certained to be Al and Al degrees respect
lively"
The next day the valley was assembled
gradually until Gen. Custer discovered
that he was on the crest of the western
ridge of the Black Hills, when he en-
camped under scarcely less favorable
conditions than those OF the day before.
The day following traces OF Indians were
discovered and the heavy scout was sent
forward with twenty braves to recon
hotter. The dispatch continues: This
party had been gone but a few minutes
when two of Bloody Knife's' young men
came galloping back and informed me
that they had discovered five Indian
lodges few miles down the valley and
that Bloody Knife, as directed, had
concealed his party in wooden ravine,