New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-24
GEN. CLUSTERS REPORT.

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE EXPEDITION FROM AUG.
3TO AUG. l5-RICH PASTURE AND GRAZING LAND
ABUNDANCE OF PURE WATERING INDICATION
OF FLOODS OR DROUTH-DIsCovERIEs OF IRON,
PLUMBAGo, AND GOLD.
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan last evening received
the following dispatch from Gen. Terry at ST. Paul:
"a dispatch from Gen. Custer, just receiled. dated
Bear Butte, Aug l5 says he began his reur; march on
the 7th inst He intended to rest day at Iear Butte
and then start for Fort Lincoln by different road from
that which he took going out He reports hs men and
animals in excellent condition, trouble from tho
Indians,
The following is the report IN full
HEADQUARTERS BLACK HILLS ExPEBirIOS.l
BEAR BUTTE, OAK, Aug. IS, le7i. !
To Assistant Adjutant General Department 81 Dakota.
S. Paul. My last dispatch was written on the 2d aud 81
and sent from the south fork of the Cheyepn from
point on the latter nearest Fort Laramie. 90 the
morning OF the 4th inst. began my return march 10
dfferent route on the 9Th On the morning the 9TH
the expedition began its march northward Bear Butte
being our next objective point. We advanced without
serious obstacle until within ton 0rtwelye miles OF Bear
Butte when we found further progress barred ny
nigh range Of impossible hills We attempted 10 effect
a Sassage through some one OF the many valleys where
water-c0urses directly through the hills In tho
desired directlon but every instance led into
deep. broken caiions impossible even to horsemen.
Through one OF these made my way on FOOT from a
high point, and obtained view of the plains outside.
fine valley in which 1t had hated ana converted the
route through the Hills. The result decided to fol-
low down a watercourse which led US frs: oyard the
south and sfterward toward the east Tnis stream
proved TO Elk Greek. the valley OF which, as Wei as
the stream ITSELF proved to be at least equal IN beauty
and extent to any passed through during the march.
We camped twice on this stream, and as Tar as we pro-
ceeded down the course had most excellent road.
But finding that like nearly all otter stream, leaving
the hills its course would take us into canon which
could be barely made practicable Tor wagons searched
for and discovered a narrow gap IN the Foxy wal
which forms the northern boundary OF me vduey aud
which was large enough 20 allow our wanons ~ bass
conveniently through a narcn 0, au nV. Wy t'sua"
ascent and through pine forest brought Is 10 Deaut-
full park containing thousands OF acres from "ncn wo
obtained nne view ID tue use, y, our ou acIunt.
ance the Plains Rere we plcheu our tents ior tns
asttme In the Black Hills nearly every one peg ioaiD
oeave region which had been found so every
respect. Behind as the grass ana iolase was "moss
clothed In green oil the FRESHNESS oi NAY ~ ro. y.
us cast eyes over the plains; pelo" we s.W noehs
but comparatively pateheGy ntio n,nt viInr
burnt pasturage vi wien 49, ,.bno :, hail.,
the rich abundance we were ea'ins DENIM u.s.
march o! 20 h 6,n ,ob n',n1 cn,ni',st
TO remain one day before beginning our return march
proposed 10 return oy ulncien,' aio'tn P.ipaPs
not shorter s roe adneed to make this change order S
to embrace large tract OF uheApioreu counuy WITHIN
the limits OF our EXPLORATION. anu h 20 e9apo
Little Missouri. or when nothing Is known; iexpeet
the expedition 10 reach FORT Lneoh upois ue ois. VI
most excellent. This expedition entered the Back Hills
from the west side, passed tbru9n inc eastern am
most southern ranges explored e MAYOR portion Oh tho
INTERIOR aud passed out of the most eastern ranges
which form the boundary or tue Back NUS FROM me
fact that in all our PRINCIPAL marches throaeh the
h ns laden train OF over 100 wagons, nav be
ferred that the B'acK iis 90 nor que InPene
tra6e region nerrolore pc,g rho ,p 20"
Black Hilis ifoW any "iec'ioh tnc u.o,' ss.'ous ~
not the only obstacle We encountered at once
the outer oase. Ihls prooaoY accounts ior
character OF the Interior Exploring parties haye con-
tented themselves with marching around the exterior
base and from the forbiddng aspect OF the hills, as
ed nj "A inferred