The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-27

Gen. Custer gives, in his report, a
graphic description of the Black Hills
country, which will be found intense
Iy Interesting
HEADQ'Rs BLACK HILLS ExPEDITIoNl
81 MILES SOUTHEAST OF
HARNEY's PEAK, Aug. 2, 1874. }
ASSISTANT 4Adjutant General, Depart
ment Of Dakata:
My last despatch was dated July Is,
and sent from Prospect Valley, Oak,
longitude 103 deg. 46 min., latitude 45
deg, % min. Two of my Indian
scouts left as bearers of the despatch
as soon as their departure could be
concealed by the darkness. After
leaving that point this expedition
moved in a southwesterIy direction
until it reached the valley of the little
Missouri River, up which we moved
twenty-one miles. Finding this val
ley almost destitute of grazing along
our line of march, ordered the wa
ter-kegs filed aud supply of wood
placed on thO wagons, and left the
valley in search of better camp ground,
! During our passage up the valley of
the Little Missouri we had entered
and were about to leave the Territory
of Montaaa. Our Lourse was nearly
due south. After further march of
about nine miles we arrived before
sundown at q point capable of fur
nishing us good grazing and water for
our animals, having marched over
thirty miles since breaking camp in
the morning. From this point to the
valley of the Belle Fourche we found
the country generally barren and un-
| inviting, save in a few isolated places.
We reached the Belle FOurche on the
evening of the 18th of July, encamp-
ing where good grass. wood and wa
ter were abundant, and at point
short distance from that marked C's15'O
fifteen on Reynolds map, just westof
the line separating Dakota from Wy
oming. The following day was spent
in camp. On the Goth we crossed the
Belle Fourche and began, as it were
skirmishing with the Black Hills. We
began by feeling our way carefully
along the outlying ranges of hills.
seeking weak point through which
we might make our way to the intefi-
or. We continued from the time we
ascended theValley of theBelle Fourehe
to move through a very superior
country. covered with the best OF
grazing, and abundance of timber,
principally pine, poplar and several
varieties of oak. As we advanced the
country skirting the Black Hills TO the
south ward became each day more
beautiful. On the evening of the 22l
we halted and encamped east of q Id
within four miles of Inyan Kara. De-
string TO ascend the peak the follow
ing day, it being the highest in the
western range of the Black Hills,
did not move camp the following day
but taking small party with me, pro-
eeeded to the highest point of this
prominent landmark, whose height is
given at 5000 feet. The day was not
favorable for obtaining distant views,
but decided on the following morn
ing to move due east aud attempt the
passage of the hills. We experienced
considerable delay from fallen timber
which lay in our pathway. With this |
exception and very little digging,
rendered necessary i'll discerning into !
a valley, the pioneers prepared the |
way for the train, and we reached |
camp at two o'clock, having marched |
eleven miles. We here found grass, |
water and wood of the very best quail
ity aud in great abundance. On the |
up this valley, which I had explored |
several miles the preceding evening, |
and which led us, by an easy ascent /
almost southeast. After marching I
nearly twelve miles we encamped at /
an early hour in the same valley. This
valley 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 it, In no public or
private park have exer seen such q
profuse display of flowers. Every
step of our march that day was
amidst flowers of the most exquisite
colors aud perfume. So luxuriant in
growth were they that men plucked
them without dismOuntiug from the
saddle. Some belonged to new and
unclassified species. 1t was q strange
sight to glance back at the advancing
columns of cavalry, and behold The
men with beautiful bouquets iA their
hands, while the head gear of their
horses was decorated with Wreaths OF
flowers fit to crown aqaeen of May.
Deeming it a most fitting appeIiation
| named it Floral Valley. General
Forsyth, at one of our halting places,
chosen at random, plucked seventeen
beautiful flowers, belonging to differ
ent species, aud within q space of
twenty feet square. The same eve-
ming, while seated at the mess table,
one of the officers called attention to
the carpet of flowers streWn under
our feet, and it was suggested that it
be determined how many different
flowers could be plucked without leaE-
ing our seat at the dinner table. Sew
en- beautiful varieties were thus gath
cred. Professor Donaldson, the bot
anist of the expedition, estimated the
number of flowers in bloom in Floral
Valley at fifty, while an equal number
of varieties had bloomea or were yet
to bloom. The number of trees, shrubs
aud grasses were twenty-five, making +
the total number of fora of the valley
embrace 125 species.
Through this beautiful valley mean
ders stream OF crystal water so cold
as to render ice undesirable even at
MONDAY. The temperature of two of
the many springs found flowing into
it was taken and found to be A and
Az deg. respectively.
The next morning, although loath
to leave so enchanting locality, we
continued to ascend this valley until
gradually, ALMOST iInperceptihly, we
discovered that we were on the crest
of the western ridge of the Black
Hills; and instead of heing among
barren, rocky peaks, as might be sup
posed, we found ourselves vending
our way through little park whose
natural beauty may well bear compar.
ison TO the love!iest portions of Cen
trail Park. Favored as we had been In
having Floral Valley for our roadway
to the west of the Black Hills, we /
were scarcely less fortunate in the val
ley which seemed to me to meet us
on the interior slope. The ripping
stream of clear cold water, the coan-
terpart of that we had ascended the |
day before, flowed at our feet, aud /
pointed out the way before us, while |
along its banks grew beautiful flowers
sI,.no scod hut Iitaln L., hnn,,h,r aud r,..n-