The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-11-17
YELLOWSTONE FIELD NOTES.
ENGINEERING OBSERVATIONS OF THE
VALLEY,

NO, I.
From various sources, but mainly from
the report of Lieut.. McClernand, engineer
on the staff Of Gen. Gibbon during the late
campaign, gather the appended notes.
They may prove of value in the near future
and are given in the order in which find
| them: #aa @ 9 Ts'
The hills forming the divide between the
headwaters of the East Gallatin and the
Yellowstone are exceedingly picturesque
and very fertile, growing luxuriant bunch
grass and interspersed with dense pine for
ests. The formation of the di-
vide is generally sand -stone-the strata be-
| ing upturned at a severe angle-while far
ther south very fair coal exists in lime
stone region. '- t..- l s5#
| Middle Greek, further on, is clear stream
running in small and beautiful valley be-
tween high. sloping hills covered with fine
grass. Thence the road ascends high hill
the divide soon falling precipitately toward
| the Yellowstone. @ '~@
BitIman's Greek running at its base is 10
miles from Fort Ellis. The day before
| reaching this point, the road was almost
impossible, but the following mornings
marching was easy, as the snow, from the
habit Of the country, had disappeared. 1t
runs through pass between high parallel
ridges, down which course innumerable
streams, and covered with splendid bunch
grass. E- as
FletsAmam's Greek, running from the
west, is next reached-20 miles from Fort
Ellis. Crossing this the Yellowstone Val
ley is soon reached. Passing down the left
bank Of the river,
Bensoaa's Landing, the head Of fat-boat
navigation, presently presents itself as the
first settlement proper on the Yellowstone
River.
The Valley is quite extensive here, but
being covered with loose gravel intimately
mingling with the soil, of course is not very
fertile.
Shields Rioer, bold, rapid stream, joins
the Yellowstone about three miles from
Benson's-distance from Ft. Ellis 29.46
miles-fows over small granite powders
from its source on the west side of Crazy
Mountain. This stream runs through an
extensive and fertile section, which for
some years pastured several large herds of
cattle.
Sheep Mountain presents vertical fa,e
of basalt to the Yellowstone, seven miles
from which opposite an extensive bottom is
the
Old Croto Ageaacy--this bottom presenting
a fertile valley miles in length and now and
then mile wide. From here, turning to
the left, the road crosses range of high
hills, on the summit of one of which lies a
large deposit of fine gypsum.
CRAZY Mountain, lying just back of
Sheep Mountain, is detached from the
main range, sand standing alone seems to
serve as a rallying point for the clouds,
great masses of which almost always hover
about the tops fits lofty peaks" "Again,' -
says McClernand, "thousands of springs
trickle down it's rugged sides, and are the
sources of numerous streams" Its alti-
tude is about 10000 feet, while to the
south across the river stands range of
high, rugged, lava peaks-usually called
the Yellowstone Range, whose SUBMITS
stand in bold relief against the sky.
Hot Spring Greek, Al miles from Ellis,
runs near the celebrated Hunter Sulphur
Springs, whose medicinal qualities are now
so we'll known.
DacE Greek, 81 miles from Hunters S, runs
clear and cold from Crazy Mountain, and
coursing II miles further reaches the Yel-
lowstone after passage through fine large
valley covered with good grass-the river
being lined with cottonwoods of great
size.
g Tie Big Boulder, 1888 miles from Ellis,
is next crossed. This is large, rapid
stream, rising in high granite range to
the south, Is miles above its mouth. 1t is
formed by three forks (flled with trout)
which run through beautiful little valleys,
which afford favorite resort for large
bands of elk. -..5g...-.. -,
Little Deer Creek is reached y miles
from the Boulder, and from it to Big Deer
Creek stretches a magnificent expanse OF
rich bottom land.
Point of Rocks, high vertical wall, a
half mile in length, and plainly showing
ancient river marks, Indicating past pres.
ence of the Yellowstone 80 feet above its
present level, is next reached.
Bridqer Greek is somewhat less than
miles from the Point. Its source is in q
very broken country. but near its mouth il
flows through a fine little valley, thickly
wooded. Soon after its passage, ths
| valley opens finely, with rich black soil and
growing heavy grass, the Yellowstone be.
ing bordered with a fine growth of large
| cottonwoods, while the foothills to Che
| south are covered with heavy pine. X
the north the country is very broken.
"Moving down the valley two miles ths
| river is forded to avoid some steep and
broken bluffs, which it washes, on ths
south bank, affording one of the best cross
ings Of the Yellowstone" From here th'
command marched along the north bank t.
the Infantry camp, 96.79 miles from For
Ellis. Countryman's ranch is one mill
beyond, located in fine section, while TIVE
miles below & e.e 800. s... 3.
| The St;lgDater is reached. This is fin'
/ bouldered stream, coursing through fin'
bottom varying from half mile to mill
| in width. Two small bottoms separated
by high wall which soon makes fordins
! necessary, are next met, and the Yellow
stone is here so rocky that fording is diff
| cult. Presently the head Of one Of the
| largest valleys Of Yellowstone River, i