The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-12

The Surveying and Geological Ex-
petition on It's Way.
DETAILS OF THE MARCH.
P6culiaTitiea Of the Country
Travelled Over.
A GALL0P THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS.

-.
on RAwHIDE CREEK, Wyoming May 20 1873.
At six O'Clock on the morning Of the e,th the
government surveying and geological expedition
for the Black Hills OF Dakota sEartea lorth from
camp, the east bank OF the North Platte River,
opposite Fort Laramie where the body had been
collected the day before 60 be In readiness FOR the
march. Lieutenant colonel n. J. Dodge, a the
Twentythird infantry, assumed command on the
oath or the military escort, and, OF course IL tho
virtual leader or the expedition. II seems al.
though Mr.. JenneY ana his assistants are thorough
scientists, as II they would be overshadowed in
popular estimation by the miners who have been
selected TO go with the expedition. Their pracu.
cal experience Will nave more force upon the
minds OF the people most interested in the owes
ton OF mineral wealth II the Sioux country than
tnat OF a whole college OF professional scholars.
The old habft'I6s or geld and silver mines whom
one meets in this part Of the world laugh az
the idea OF the assumed ability OF geologist 10
determine whether a deposit or precious metal
VIII yield sufficient profit TO be or great value
when tested. But, although this is the tenor Of
opinion among the rough frontersmen who some
times are met at settlements and ranches by the
traveller, educated and intelligent persons, OF
course, approve Of a scientific investigation Of
question OF so much importance.
What we have already named the scientific
Corpsi OF the marching column, and especially
DR.. I. V. Mcclnycuddy, the chief topograpAer,
began
TAKING OBSERVATIONS
OF the country, It's products flowers. animals,
formation, elevations, &c, from the moment
Cheyenne was left behind, and the result should
be. very good and reliable map Of the road
which we are making 70 the Black Hills. Or.
McGluycuddy is or an industrious disposi-
ton. bright ana enterprsing, good
rider, and may be seen during each
day galloping slony the column as it
i moving and from adjacent ridges and rocks
noting peculiar features with prismatic com
pass. Captain futile, Official astronomer or the
expedition, is well known scientist ana the dis
coyerer Of a number or stars ana lesser comet
lie Is assisted in his observations by Or. McGlY-
cuddT, and has utilized tho clear nights from the
hilItops with telescope and barometer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TIE COUNTRY.
The country which we have traversed IN coming
TO this camp is or an interesting character,
marked BY traces OF different formation which
existed ages ego, probably prior to period when
this part Or the earth's surface, even at a higher
elevation than most OF Wyoming Territory now
was covered by great sea or fresh water. Cone
like hills and knobs, with nat summils, meet
the view, showing fragments OF the former
surface OF the plain before the intervening hol-
lows and guiches we're wrought out by the action
OF the water. The rock - OF a creamy color ana
composed OF sand and lime. The ridges, which
bound the vision in many directions, are some
times thinly covered ~ stunted cedars, and some.
tunes very bare and brown. But the rocky butts
which come up over the horizon, such as Laramie
PEAK and the RaRhide Peak. appear majestic
and beautiful in the distance, invested with a
hazy hue or bue or purple, according TO tho
species Of rock Of which they are composed.
On Tuesday the expedition proceeded about
eighteen miles, from the North Platte River to
Rarhide Greek, following the tran which leads
to the Red Cloud ana spotted Tail agencies. The
bardeas imposed upon the wagon teams are al
ways heaviest on the fret day Of a march, because
the forage brought along for the animals Is light
ened az every camping place thereafter. The sup
ply AMI baggage train Of this expedition Is one OF
the heaviest ever sent out with a similar party
and ong marches VIII not DC practicable until
aftes several days have passed and the loads have
been considerably depleted. on Tuesday,
TEE ORDER or MARCH
was broken aud irregular, Int to-day the columa
mas moved with more symmetry, and, a. It wound
slowly over the country, presented an imposing
appearances. cavalry rorm the advance and rear
guards. With the train are tNo companies Of in
fantry, and herd or beef cattle numbering several
hundred arc driven colaterally VITA the move.
ment OF the colamn and guarded by a detachment
OF cavalry. DGuRg part OF the time occupied Ia
the performance OF is duties the expedition win
enjoy the luxury Or fresh beef and Il Is hoped that
the game in lbe BLACK HIS VIII prove sufficient to
replace i when II glyss oah.
OLD JOSE NEERYvILE
Il Colonel Dodge's guide, snd Is assisted by one or
two scouts To-day was the fret day Of his ser
vice. We left the road 10 the agencles aud made
new tran over the route OF an old one wGich -
now almost enaced. At the point where we are
now camping jose displayed q singular Ignorance
for q professional guide AM led the way
INTO the dry bed or stream where
the wagons sunk into the Sand up 10
the hubs or the wheels. To travel by this route
would have led directly away from water, over an
Irregular surface, broGen by frequent and deep
ayrogos, or gulches, dug oct OF the soft sand and
around many Or which ths tram would be obliged
60 make long detours. In company with Lieuten.
ant Morton, OF Captain William Hawiey's com
pany, Third cavalry, your correspondent rode
long distance in advance o. the column In the al.
rection selected III Old Jose. We followed the
ridges ana crossed several ofr0yDs Win great diff
nculsy, making frequent hats to wait for the ap-
pearance or the column, which had cropped
behind ont Or sight ~ the base of the
Rawnide buttes, whittier we went at length
I'm search or water, We rested about an
hour, and were reinforced ~ hunter and a
miner attached 70 the expedition who had
strayed rom the main body. u the rocky hills on
botn sides OF us-for We were taoR IN the broad
entrance or pass between Tie buttes- there
were undoubtedly
INDIANs LURKING
ard Watching the expedition rom the eie-
waited rocky ledgss, which serve them as
observation points and means or conceal
ment. Us was about four O'CLOCK when we
agaln started considerably puzz'ed as TO the
location Of the main body which we supposed By
This time mad gone into camp. We were, moreover,
not little appreAensive Or descent rom the
hidden savages, wA9 in all probability we're watch
ing our movements, and, jealous OF what they
would naturally regard ~ an encroacnmeat upon
their territory, would certainly take advantage Of
any opportunity to gatheI few scalps from the
trespasssrs