The New York herald., 1875-07-01
Presence and Active Opera
tions Of Miners Reported.
GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY.
Mountains Of Forest and Vast Parks
Covered with Verdure
Delightful Valleys Unexplored by
the White Man.
ON FRENCH CREEK, BLACK HILLS, June II,
Via FORT LARAMIE, June 20, 1875.

The expedition Is divided into four fragments,
one OF winch is now encamped al this spot in the
midst OF a gold neld OF unknown extent. The In
fantry guarding the supply train Is supposed 10 DC
on its way hither from Fort Laramie, with
detachment OF three companies OF cavalry, leaving
three other companies garrison. Lieutenant
Colonel Dodge on June 8 lett camp No. on the
east FORK Oh the Beaver creek, accompanied by the
government scientists, to begin the exploration
OF the country in the neignborhood o! Halney's
Peak. Tue route taken 10 reach French Greek has
been circultous ana the journey has occupied
week. General Custer's trail OF last summer was
struck IN latitude 43 deg. min. Sec, and long
ntude l04 deg. Is MN. Approximately following
It the remainder OF the way, We arrived at French
Greek on Tuesday afternoon and BODY OF miners
we're surprised here aud thrown into the greatest
CONSERVATION by coming Mr.. Jenney aud
his parry mad renamed under the protection
Of company OF cavalry at camp No
10 at the mouth a small tributary oil Castle
Greek, which the man detachment left on sunday
A. M, small lake Of gold had been washed
out OF the aluvium OF the creek on Saturday even
ing and a thorough examination was TO be made
by Mr.. Jenney OF the geological features OF the
valley. The next camp Of the detachment was on
Rapid Creek. Gold found IN the soil near the
surface ia Ike quantity. The grass IN the val
ley oil French Creek had been burning rapidly for
several days. having been fred by the miners.
There were prospecting holes all along the
streams and indications OF
ACTIVE MINING OPERATIONS.
six miners were engaged IN working joint
claims, and constructing u sluce 10 facili-
tate their operations On seeing the uniform OF
the United States Army they ran into . narrow
canyon, where their camp is situated, within nat
ural fortress OF rock, and one OF them sternly
halted with loaded gun oticer who followed
rrar rle tnay
they would not be arrested at present, Colonel
Dodge not having a sufficient number or men TO
perform this duty and the scientific
party at the They then vol
unfairly gave account of their journey
from Fort Laramie to the Hills, starting one day
alter the expedition, and having been here about
aweek. They emphatically assured US that there
was plenty OF gold all along the stream and
quartz lodes containing 1t IN the Hills They
panned out a few shovels OF dirt in our presence
and obtained lew fakes of the most finely col
ored gold. An old miner, belonging to large
camp q mile up the stream, showed me a large
scale, which lie said he had got rom PAINFUL or
the soil, Welding about twenty-seven cents
There are at least 100 miners now In the Hills.
moderate excitement exists among the so diers,
and while OF duty tney have been busiy engaged
in washing the soil along the stream to obtain
the yellow metal Almost every enc has become
Their enthusiasm, however. has declined rather
than augmented, as the gold is not obtained with
put toll. No one except
ISFATUATED MINERS
Jet entertain a strong BELIEF tnat the gold field
Is OF much extent that It viii yield to enter
prise a very rich reward. 1t Is PROBABLE however,
that in a few weeks these valleys and ravInes will
be tnronged by large population from the neigh
boring cities, which are overnowlng with adven
t.fntk
opportunity Of crossing the forbidden country into
this region. The passive course pursued by Lieu
tenant Colonel D odge Will encourage them to lor
get the iuture, while tney secure for the pres
ent but unless the Sioux treaty is abrogated
General Crooke is expected in person 10 visit the
command and direct active steps to De taken for
the iunlme Z OF the treaty Jaw. French Creek
courses through a valley Of unsurpassed richness
and beauty OF scenery, and tue expedition will
probably when again united, remain mere In
camp during several weeks. Meanwhile Mr.. Jen-
ney doubtless will investigate the extent ana
value or the mines which nave been discovered
with perfect candor, though miners and others
snake their heads in emphatic distrust OF MS pos
sesslng honest purpose in seeking TO work IN Sc
ciet and lock up the secrets within his own knowl
edge They put their faith entirely In their own
perience and intelligence. Mr.. Jenney anc party
arrived from Camp No. Is this afternoon. The
prospecting for gold Castle Greek and its small
tributary near the camp mad resulted In the ind
Ing OF but a lew small particles.
coUETRY--A MARCH THROUGH THE NOUN
rAINs-cHARAcTER OF SOIL AND vEoETA-
T1oS-DEsTRUcTIvE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
INDIANS
CAMP NO. a. CASTLE CREEK VALLEY,
BLACK HILLS, June IL, 1875.
Latitude "A deg. MIN. Sec, Longitude
lUf deg. MIN. ~ sec.
Many years Will not eface the trail OF the expe-
dition 10 the Black Hills OF 1876. Adventurers
who seek fortune In new countries Will find Tor
them, through he Jolly or kindness OF the pater-
na United States government, way prepared
into this land gold. From :he North Platte
River to the SOUTHWESTERN entrance OF the Black
nlls a good road has been opened, and reports
rom scouts and hunters indicate that 1t has
Ilready been utilized by party Of fifteen miners
Who eamped about four miles below Camp No. H.
IN the East Beaver Creek A squad OF soldiers
ent out 10 learn II this were true returned with
out having Iound any trace OF the party. Subse.
uuently 1t was reported that Trey had moved IN u
Iemlcrcle 10 avoid the military camp ana had
entered tne Hills through a smallsr pass north OF
Colonel Dodge's entrance. These stories are not
fully believed, and their invention is attributed TO
Rnumoer Of shaggy aud uncouth individuals call.
lug themselves hunters and mountaineers. who
have struggled along With the expedition and are
likely to occasion no little trouble TO the com.
manding o1cer.
Camp No. H. on the East Fork OF the Beaver
Creek, Is situated In the southwestern gateway of
the BACK Hills. We entered the little park
formed 5y the surrounding elevations, with the
bxpeotauon OF remaining there at least three
weeks. There can be pretty spots adorned by
Rature more ntted 70 charm away fatigue. There
were imposing surroundings VI mountain, glaze,
canyon aud vale. Cool breezes blew out Of
Jhe rocky channe.s OF The mountains at MONDAY
oid Dignts favored the absolute sway OF slumber
Turing the darkened hours; limpid waters
vurRled BY our tents. hummlng unsteady OF tue
scenes along their course through quiet ways
bapond the grim. red barriers VI Sandstone. and