The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-13
THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER.

RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION OF GENERAL
FoRsYTH-THE VOYAGE OF TIE STEAMER
JosEPHNE-AscENT OF THE RIVER FIVE
HUNDRED MULES ABOVE THE MOUTH.
BISMARCK, d. T., June IL, 1876,
General ]. W. Forsyth and Colonel Fred Grant.
OF General Sheridan's stan, arrived here on the
steamer Josephine this morning, at four O'Clock,
returning from their exploration or the Yellow
stone River the Josephine left Bismarck on the
23d or May, having these officers on board,
and proceeded up the Missouri River,
at Fort Stevenson, fifty miles above
this point, one company or the Sixth infantry,
commanded Dy Lieutenant Thompson, was taken
board as escort. and on arrival at Fort Bulord,
at the mouth OF the Yellowstone this escort
was stnl further increased by the addition or two
companies OF General Hazen's command, oil under
the command OF Cypron Britain, sixth infantry.
Although General Sheridan had issued very strict
orders prohibiting civilians from accompanying
expedition your correspondent was fortunately
able TO obtain q position from which TO record all
that occurred of interest. The Josephine LEFT
Fort Bulord on the 9th ult., and at once pro-
ceeded up the rapid currenT OF the Yellowstone,
whose very placid waters were now to be ruined
by Q steamer for the 1rst time IL Is true this
same steamer, the Josephine. had In 1878 ascenosd
as lar as the mouth or Powder River; but
to determine the highest navigablc point
OF the Yellowstone River, ana Ia connection
herewith, 10 examine the valley or this Big Horn
River. with view TO determine the best sltua-
ton for q military post.
ASCENT OF THE RIVER.
Two weeks we're spent In exploring the Yellow
stone during wnicn the phIne assembled tnat
river TO point about four hundred miles
above its mouth, and. although the water
dInicuIy or obstruction was encountered,
ana even at the point where tue steamer finally
stopped ana turned out the depth OF wafer
amply sufncient 10 have enabled any ordinary
steamer to navigate. But here the current, which
ometnlng ike that a few miles above Niagara.
ana rendered our iurtaer progress lmpractieaole.
in appearance as 10 soil ana productive
ness, as we lett Its mouth. The upper
valley mas fair supply OF timber, principally COT.
with pine. We also assembled the Big Horn River
by steamer about twelve miles, but found naviga-
Inc highest point reached on the Yellowstone by
the Josephine was ABOUT nty miles above Pom
peys Pillar, or within less tnan $50 miles, az the
crow fles from Bozeman, Montana. THIS viii have
an important bearing In determining future trans
porIation routes leading 20 Montana. From the
decK OF the steamer we could see the snow-capped
ranges or mountains lying TO the south and west,
from when the Yellowstone, Big Horn and tribu-
tary rivers derive their greatest supply OF water.
ABUNDANCE OF GAME.
Game was seen In abundance after ascending
and elk we're killed on both sides OF the river.
Reynolds, the guide, killed i've elk az one shot,
Yellowstone Valley. close TO the waters edge;
deer, antelope, mountain sheep and bear we're
also seen. From the deck OF the Josephine, all
things considered, the country near the mouths OF
the Big Horn and Tongue rivers seemed
10 present the greatest advantages for military
site timber, grass and water OF good quality
being found here In abundance. These
points, n occupied, would also enable troops TO
act eniciently IN controlling the powerful aud
warnke bands OF Indians that infest the Big Horn
ana Yellowstone regions.
THE CROW INDIANS.
The only IndiaDs seen were a large number
OF Crows their village numbering per-
haps $50 lodges and located upon q beau
tiiul spot about thirty miles above Pompey's
protested to be In search OF the Sioux, and ex-
pressed q determination 10 drive the latter out or
the country. They were In possession OF some
two hundred horses, recently stolen from the
Sioux. The large number OF their ponies excited
remark, there being no less than ABOUT i've thou
omitted 20 mention that rom the waters OF the
Upper Yellowstone We obtained very nne trout
and IN great NUMBERS. Tue return trip down the
Yellowstone was made IN two days. At Fort Bu-
ford we stopped only long enough TO allow that
portion OF our escort belonging % mat post to dis
embark aud again at POrt Stevenson Tor the same
purpose. the Josephine arrived here II Tour
took the morning tram " the Northern
Pacific for the East. General Forsyth
viii proceed direct TO chicago aud submit his re-
port 10 General Sheridan. This expedition ter
inmates Colone Grants military career. as u Is
generally understood that ne proposes TO resign
has commission In the army ana engage IN the
banking business in Washington In partnership
Cleveland, ONO, and nephew OF General and SEN
atOr sherman.