The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-27

tehm8tcr
Quartermaster's Department
Tho scouts who bore the despatch also reported that
the hostile Indians had stolen and on all the ponies
belonging to tho Grow scouts, twenty-five number.
who wore accompanying Gibbons column; but Glib
oons despatch makes no alluson to this that the
statement lacks ofncial confirmation.
THE srocKADE PRovisIoxgD
II was gratifying 10 learn by the messengers
that the steamers loaded with supplies Intended for
the use OF this and Gibbons columns had arrived with
their infantry under Colonel Moore
OF the sixth infantry. at tho stockade on the
Yellowstone, and there await our arrival.
Tho stocknde for the Information OF tho
located the right bank Of tho Yellowstone River
at tho crossing OF that by tho Northern Pacific
survey and was established by General Stanley in 1879
as protection for hts depot Of supplies while cscortng
the surveying parties Of tho Northern Pacific Railroad
through this region. Tho information brought by tho
scouts that the Yellowstone ncd with water and
easily navigabc by heavily laden steamers Induced =
slight change In tho original PLAN which contcmplates
tho march Of the troops and TO the stockadc
then, atcr obtaining fresh supplies the
OF the march mp the Yellowstone TO tho mouth OF
Powder Rivcr--our present location This would in
volve somewhat clrcuous route. II was, therefore,
docidcdl 10 camp that night
on BEAVER cREHK,
about forty miles from tho stookade send the scouts
back 70 tho latter pont With orders Colonel
reload tho supplies on the steamer Far West and with
one company Of the Sixth infantry board
take tho steamer up tho Yellowstone TO the mouth
OF Powder RIVER and there await the mr.
rival OF the expedition. Tho latter
while, instead Of proceeding to tho stockadc
would cut directly southwcslerly direction
TO rowder River, then make its way down that river
to It's mouth This plan put in execution As
result we are all here steamer supplies and troops
cept such have been detached will hereafter be
described BY tho scouts who bore these orders
to tho s,cokade instructions were sent Gibbon d.
rectlnG HIM not continue his march further down
the Yellowstone but halt whenever tho orders should
roach him. As 1t was known that tho risk was very
great in attempting to reach Gtbbon the two scouts
who were to endeavor to mako their way to Gibbon
from tha stockado promised 5000 extra compcnsa
ton in case they succeeded in reaching him. Small
compensation 10 plaoc upon the serious risk of two
lives.
SPRINGS DISCOVERED
Leaving Beaver Greek next morning, tho scouts to-
ward the stockadc, the expedition toward Powder
River, we campcd that night again on Beaver Creek
further south, Reynolds guiding the column over
comparatively fair country, with excellent grassng
abundance Of water, and sufficient timber. The follow
ing day We bore FIRST southwark then turning almost
due wcst, crossed divide and cncamped that
night on small tributary Of Cabin Crock,
tho latter lowing into the Yellowstone: That day
hunting party from Colonel Keogh's battalion ofthc Sew
enth cavalry returned and reported having found
some hot springs or eeysers. The non-commissoned
officer in charge OF the party described them
thing similar to the mud springs spouting geysers
TO DO found in the Yellowstone Park. Unfortunately,
the party did not return TO camp with this informa-
ton in timc to enable careful examination and
location Of these natural curiosities to DO made
HUNTING PARTY
Another hunting party, from Colonel Bcntoen's
command Of the Seventh cavalry, lost their way, and
did not reoin the column until ten O'Clock tho follow
ing day Their absence during tho night excited
little anxiety fresh signs of Indians had boon seen
during the day. and feared tho party might have
been waylaid and killed.
TAKING A WESTERLY couRsE
the following morning, from camp Cabin Creek,
and crossing divide, struck the Mid
die Fork Of OFalons Creek another tributary OF tho
Yellowstone, and wore now travelling . region Of
country VISITED for tho nrst timc by white
mon. General Stanley, in 1871, had marched
expedition down tho North Fork OF
OFallons Creek. Leaving tho Middle Fork and stiIl
bear..s almost duo west, approached the valley OF
the South Fork OF 0FalIons Creek Here Reynolds tho
guide mlstook his course, and the expedition made
unnecessary detour 10 tho south Of few miles. Rc-
tracing steps and finding crossing Of the South
Fork, encampcd In a bend OF this lattcr, for the
nrst timc in the march having nm Indifferent camp
Wood and water good and abundant but the graz
ing was not good.
CUSTER TURNS GUIDE
As there was guide Indian or white man, who
knew tho route from that point Powder River
It decided that General Custer should guide the
column. Taking with him sufficient number of troops
TO mako trail well as TO enable him to leave
prominent points guides TO the main column the
General started at i've o'clock In tho morning and
after most laborous day and ride OF probably nity
miles he marked cut through tho Bad Lands
that border Powder River practicable route
for wagons tho distance which from the
camp of tho preceding night thirsy-swo
miles, Custer reached Powder River about half
past three r. N. The main column, under Terry
arrived and snugly in camp the right bank OF
Powder River before shutdown. General Terry congrat
ulated Custer immediately upon his arrival upon his
success guide, and remarked that In coming along
through the Bad Lands, he had believed possible
that practicable route could DO found to Powder River
valley. The point reached In this latter was
about twenty-five miles from its mouth
Tho river itself about 100 yards wide from bank to
bank and at this OF the year fordabc most
places by cavalry The valley from ono totwo miles
widc well timbcrcd, running through exclusive or
inc bad Lnnos an cxccilcnt grazing region.
GENERAL TERRY AT MOUTH or POWDER RIVER
Tho following day General Terry, taking Keosh's
and MoyIsns companies OF tho Seventh cavalry As e.
cort, proceeded down the valley OF tho Powder its
mouth 10 assure himself that the steamer and sup
plies had arrived saioy also to II the
had succeeded In reaching Gibbon. Terry's brief
absence left Custer in temporary command Of
the expedition Grants positive orders to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Upon Tcrry's arrival ~ tho mouth
OF the Powder River he found tho steamer and supplies
from tho stocksde hau arrived and awaiting
arrival He also learned that tho scouts who had
attempted reach Gbbon, tho left bank Of the Ye
lowstone had found the Indians along tho
to be forced to return unsuccessful In their
MISSION and minus tho extra $500 with which
was TO limo their buckskn pockets. 4 small party
from Gibbons command, under Major Brisbn. Soc
ond cavalry, had descended tho Yellowstone in =
small boat In the night timc and at tho mouth OF
D. nt..>~ s.s~~sa rstH