The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-28
CHARACTER or THE YELLOWSTONE VALLEY.
A Delightful Home for the Farmer
and the Horticulturist.
ALTERNATE FOREST AND PRAIRIE.
A Day in the Camp OF the
Friendly Crows.
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION.
on BOARD STkAMER JOSEPHINE.

ment more or the agricultural and mining regions
OF the far West, which are now Inhabited only by
the so-called "noble red NAM and few despe-
rate and abandoned whites, an expedition was
lately organized, through the exerttons OF Lieu
tenant General Sheridan, TO explore the Yellow
Stone River valley and. as far as possible,
the valleys OF its tributaries. The gov
ernment chartered for this purpose the
swift steamer Josephine, which arrived at
Fort Buford. Dakota Tefritory. on the 2sth
day OF May, 1875 with Brevet Brgadier Gen
eral James A. Forsyth ana Colonel Frederick D.
Grant, both OF General Sherldan's stan The
former was appointed BY the Lieutenant General
as the commanding oticer OF the expedition,
which consisted OF companies E. and IL, sixth
United States infantry, from The garrts0ns OF forts
Buford and Stevenson, Dakota Territory. the or
gan1ation OF the expedition was easily completed
by putting the men, the nard tack and the bacon
on board Of the vessel ana by SIX O'Clock p NJ. on
the 26th OF May the boat was sieaming
up the sold" Missouri. and twenty min
utes later entered the mouth OF tho Yellow
stone River. owing TO the high stage OF
water the mouth OF the Yellowstone River is
blockaded by delta OF two islands, but the out
lets had such an immensely deep channel that
tho nervous gentlemen on their pleasure trip to
Mr. Sitting Bull tainted from the enormous noise
made by the naygators crying out, "No bottom "
Alter passing these Islands q beautiful prairie
with occasional trees on the river bank, lies be-
fore you and will probably within Few years be
latd our In homes for the thrifty pioneer gentle
man Agricultural. Tae width or this nat TO the
west is about ten miles and runs up the river
Tor about fourteen miles. me east side OF the
river Is q low, heavily tImbered nat. about three
miles wide. and ranges up the river in trangu-
lag shape for about seven miles, when the outlines
OF this little forest are stopped by 'our barren
landsr described BY General w. b. HAGEN IN his
late pamphlet. The low and apparently fertile
prairie continues the west sids OF the river Tor
several miles, with heavily ttmDered, low Islands
in the river. At quarter TO one we arrived
AT cRIrTESDES IsLAND,
aud. after posting eighteen pickets on an unin-
nabited Island, the soldiers and steamboat hands
helped themselves TO wood. Having laid In an
abundant supply, the boat pursued its course,
passing i fine range OF bluffs, which would COM
pare favoraDly with those OF the american
Rhine. After passing these bluffs the land be-
comes more barren in appearance, but might be
OF use for other purposes than agriculture, as evt
dences OF mineral deposits are numerous. Game
has Its home on this prairie, aud three OF our
hunters succeeded IN killing SIX anteopes and
two black-taied deer when proved very &C
ceptabe addition 70 the culinary department. Of
This range or buns runs close TO the river on
the east side as far as ten miles above Glendive
Greek, the propose1 railroad crossing OF the
Northern Pacific Railroad. The only vegetable
lie visible is the aromatic wild sage, and oc-
casonaIly a thin grass unable 70 thrive on ac-
count OF the dryness OF the soil. This KIND OF
land runs as TAR as the mouth OF Powder
luyer, which Is IN longitude Jos ceg.
ana in latitude 40 deg A. min. 10 sec. north. Four
miles below the mouth oil Powder River are the
Key West Rapids named from the steamer Key
west. OF PltIspurg. Pa. This boat attempted to
cross these rapids IN 1873, but failed. Captain
Grant Marsh, with the Josephine, met with better
apdr Wit nj, mn nj a
them. the average depth OF the river at these
rapids is eight feet, and the swIltness OF the cur
rent makes Arkansas railroad ume-t e. seven
aud nall miles IN one hour. The country
ABOVE POWDER RIVER
IL very little better tnan the last described Timber
Is scarce. The dry prairie SHOWS only few trees.
scattered here and there, ana now ana then
bunch OF buffalo grass, showing that 0y artificial
irrigation the land can be made useful. EiRnt
mues above the mouth Is a 1ne looking island,
ABOUT Jour miles In length aud TWO mIes Wide,
and heavily tImbered. Here, Notwithstanding
the protecting American eagle was clrclng IN the
atmosphere, all hands helped themselves 10 nne
lot OF dry cotton WOOD and chrStened tue mlnla-
ture continent Eagle lslald.u At tnis place the
boat tied up for the nisht MAY 20 1879. Total
distance from Fort Bulord, go miles.
At hali-past three the lines were loosened and
the craft pursued It's course. After few miles
tIavel me Lewis bsGa ~ 0 p,uns mvTs
qnIte prominent appearance, tue yellow rocks
coming 70 the waters edge, while the right bank
win the addition OF sage brush growing in great
profusIon. About three miles above the Devils
mouth Or Gun creek, apparently heading
In cap Buttes. The valley OF THIS tributary
wood ana the soi seems to he OF good Guanty
Judglng from The excellent grass and other veae-
table Ire prospering there The banks Of the Yellow
a0Ie Tor their fertility. Gun Greek - not
navigsbe. In passing tails part of the river the
Bunalo Rapidsr These rapids were considered
the worst passed so far. After clearing these we
came TO SUNDAY creek. Ten miles above this point
/ law a Known
western pioneer ana chief scout OF the original
expedition. THIS island lays on the right site Of
river, ano just above IS
IDA's ISLAND,
named after the vile OF Colonel Grant. Both OF
these Islands are well timbered, win nigh banks,
null OF game ana feed for II. These two Islands
cover about twenty square miles In steamlng
lew miles more tnrough country OF improved
character we reached Tongue River in longitude
los dcg. 81 min. sec. west OF Greenwieh. and 10
lstttude 40 deg. ~ min sec north-a nice httle
stream coming IN from the southwest, win fine,
excellent valleys, well timDeTed, and m3g-
nldcent grazing grounds, OF which poor
10 mad apparently taken advantage. onL recently
AZ indicated Dy stIll brisk IRE aud
other marks Of his presence, sucn as lodge poles
chopped trees and worn out garments. From the
oDseryations made the conclusion was drawn that
the red men had Just departed, thinking ~ adYis-
able TO avoid handshaklng and other civIItes
with his white brethren. Inc lndlan nnds Ia TINS
region an abundance OF game, Dy which u Is p =
sIblo 20 keep himself above dependence. Elk
Deer, buffalo and the bgnorn abound, and N Is
probable owing to this unlimited resource for the
larder that the troublesome spirit OF the red men
u
sioux OF tnIs region.
Tne Tongue River u quite as rapid az the Tel
l0wstOHe ana measure. about $50 yards az lis
month. lts water h very red. The stream seems
10 be unit for navtRato on account Of tue sWft-
ness OF the current though trial was not made.
After leaving NTH camp, aoout TIM e mics
above Tongue River, We reached tue nat where
General Custer had the light with tue Unc-ps-pas
IN 1879. Above this remarkable place the
valley assumes width OF about nneen
niles splenuldiy timbercd, win SOIL az good
~ can be found anywhere The river is fuIl OF
small slanus, all well wooded. The stream rom
bank TO bank proper, was estimated at one aud
three quarters miles for distance Of about seven
miles. and tbis place may be properly termed an
archipelago. The hue and iertlle looking country
still continues, and wBtle al we're ret laVian
n praise Of II the most glorious and
7 magnlncent scenery we pad yet witnessed
suddenly appeared. Tue junction OF the BIG For-
Cuplne anu Yellowstone, the rlcaness OF tue com
Dned valleys, the grotesque arrangement or
grand old trees, In reneI against a wOndertnl
background OF broken DuGtes, completed picture
worthy OF the greatest Admiration, Prominent
among the range oil rocks and nils was The beau
rfttI Noaa UNgNa N In ali IA