Bismarck tri-weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1881, 1877-08-27
FORT BUFORD NOTES.

FORT BUFoRD NOTES.
Steamboating on the Yellowstone-
Affairs at the Tongue River Posts
Haying, &c.
Fort BuFoRD, D. T., Aug 19:h, IT.
On the steamer Silver City, bound 70,
the gantonment on Tongue river. We
got along splendidly until we reached
Peninah Shuts, and after some trouble
1T this point passed on up river to
Coulson's Island. Here We ''pulled and
hauled" nearly all day without making
any progress, and towards evening,
greatly to, our disappointment, the
PROV was turned Bufordward and the
voyage abandoned. We had on board,
ss escort, the reginental band of the
9Th infantry, armed and provided With
full supply Of ammunition for the
trip, and Is the boys bad long contem-
plated trip up the Yellowstone, this
turning round yhsn We were so far up
the river frozs the mercury in their
thermometer, and produced some woe
fol looking countsnancas as we'll as
''hard sAsil'' expletives.
Going up rivof the band played as
We passed the wreck of the Osceola,
and soDe Individual ameng her crew,
probably filled With thoughts of "the
old garden gate," asked for "Home,
sweet home" Returning down river
tho bend, as if by enc impulse, seized
their iDstrnnsnts end gave the exiles
the veil known refrain, the music
swelling out on the evening air with
grave effect, and no doubt causing them
| to sigh for the comforts and pleasures
of home long after we were lost to
view. We arrived at Fort Buford Aug.
7th, on our return, and once more set
tied down to Irregular biz," almost per-
suadsd that our eyes would not behold
the Cantonment this season, but on
August 9th the gallant little ateamer
Big Horn, Cap. 10 Todd, arrivel from
the Bi. Horn post and Immediately
commenced taking on board the cargo
of the Silver City. This gave US anoth-
er chance and at 4 p. M, Aug. 9th, we
were once more entering the mouth of
| the Yellowstone. We were pretty
much the same body of crusaders rs be-
fore. The escort consisted of the band
| of the 9Th infantry, commanded by Ad-
jutant Groesbeck. The elegant little
cabin was filled to its utmost capacity,
some of the sterner sex among the
passengers being compelled to sleep in
cots put up in tie cabin; but everybody
felt sure that "this boat was going
through" Among the passengers
were Lieut.. Reed and family, Mrs. Capt.
Gilbraith and Mrs. Lieut.. Nacklin, of
the 18th infantry, also Mr.. end Mrs.
Ryan, of Bismarck. The Far West had
several hours the start Of US but on
the morning of the 10th We we're
"wooding up" ct the same yard With
her Il left her behind the same day
at Poninah Shute, and then started fer
ward for other game. The Western
was more than . day ahead of US in
starting, but We found her, and eftsr q
fraternal hug the Big Horn toek the
lead. We arrived at Csatonment
Tongue river, Monday evening, Aug.
18th, having been about four days and
dve hours in making the trip, including
all stoppages, which at this season of
the year and the present stage Of water
was doing remarkably veil. We left
the steamer Big Horn With the convic-
ton that with Captain Jos to "guide
her destlniss" and teach her which way
to ssshute," she would never sea the
little, but always come out st the "Big
end of the Horn."
The new post at Tongue river 10 hns-
" located. The buildings are teing
pushed forward to completion in . rap.
id manner, and in due course Of time
the garrison 1T the Cantonmsnt will
leave their log cabins for more conmo-
dious and spacious quarters.
The captive Cheyennes gave tws var
dances while we were At the Canton
ment, one at their camp and ono in the
garrison on the parade ground, but
they don't compare we'll with eur own
Indians at Buford. One of our scouts,
Strong Wind, who was present at the
dance, manifested the greatest con tempt
for their feeble efforts, and we thought
with good reason. They didn't even
give US good fort yell.
An interesting feature of our visit to
the Cantonment was the grand ssren-
AIDES given by the united bands Of the
5th and 9th regiments, conducted alter
nately by Prof. Marshall and Pref
Stogter. The amalganation was per-
feet success, and all present were fur
nished rich treat in the musical line.
Miles City now containes some TWEEN
ty odd houses and buildings of differ
ent descriptions, and residents of this
little "burg" seem full of enthusiasm
both as to its present and future, their
pride being unnistakesble upon one
point, i. e., its qu'etness and freedom
from rowdyisn.
Many Bismarckers are busy putting
Il