The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-28
GEN. SHERIDAN on THE BLACK HILLS
CGIyTRy

CHICAGO, March 2G.-T lent Gen Sheridon ha
written the following highly Interesting lettt
concerning the Black Hills country. 1t set
forth what has been done and what the Govern
ment proposes TO do in the matter, and immed
atcy concerns all who contemplate going int
that country for gold.
HQUARTERs MILITARY DIVISION OF Missouri,
Chicago, March 20, 1875.
Gen. W. T. Sherman, Headquarters Of the Army
ST. Louis:
GeD'yui- In reply to your questions ''What Dc
yon know Of the Black Hills? ?" | Respectfully
submit the following remarks Nv first knoyl
edge Of the Black Hills derived from an in
tervew with the late Father De Smet, a note,
Catholic Missionary, whom met many years e
on the Columbia River in Oregon, from whom
heard an Indian romance of a mountain of goll
III the Black Hills and his explanation OF that ex
| traordlnary and extensive story Of the Indians
| lrontierSman and explorers of Black Hills coun
| try is much more extensive than that particular
locality brought to notice of the public by the
| recent cxplt ration Of Gen Gustav, and gets it,
! name from the black, sclubby character of the
timber which grows on the sides and tops of the
| mountains and, hills. 1t comprises the whole OF
the country bounded on the east BIZ longitude 102
degrees, on the south by the Sweetwatcr and
Laramie rivers, on the west by the Bghorn and
Wind rlvcs- and on the north BY the Yellowstone
River
This is really the country of the Black Hills,
but embraced in it are several localities called
Black Hi U.s. for instance: Black Bills of Lamaria
Black Hills of Powder River and Black Hills of
Cheyenne River, the latter being the locality in
which Gen. Custer made his reconnoie sance last
summer and about which there is so much spec
uaton at the present time, and within the
bounds Of which it is supposed By large num-
Der OF people is to be found Father DeSmets
mountain of gold.
Father DeSmcts story was, that while living
with the Sioux Indians he was shown by them
nuggets of gold, which they informed him had
boon obtained at different points in the Black
Hills, supposed to be from the beds of the Big
Horn, Rosebud and Powder rivers, and from
branches Of the Tongue RIVER, and on his rep
resentlng that such yellow metal was Of great
value they toli him they knew where a mountain
OF it was to be found.
subsequent investigation, however proved
the Indian mountain Of gold vas nothing more
than formation OF yellow mica, such as may be
found IN a number OF places III the above de-
5crbed country. ! had scarcely g:ven the story
thought after this unit! about three Years ago,
when happened to be in New York and it was
there brought to my recollection by some promi-
nent gentlemen, who asked me where Father
)aSmet was to be found, and insisted that some
one should be sent at once to get from him the
secret OF the gold mountain, which would pay
the net debt, etc, after | had informed him
that it was an old and exploded story. his ardor
abated and the excitement about the mountain of
gold again subslded.
1t 30 happened, however, that the Black Hill |
country was embraced in my military commits |
sion, and two years ago it became apparent to |
me that military post III the Black Hills |
OF the Cheyenne would bee me necessary for |
the proper protection Of the settlements in Neb-
raska from the raids OF Sioux WARRIORS vino al
ways, before they commenced depredations on
,he frontier, secured a safe place for their fami-
les and villages in the locality mentioned
believe that these Indians would never ma Ike
var on our settlement as long as we could
hreaten their families and villages in this re-
pote locality. Astounding in game and all that
zoos to make Indian life comfortable.