The New York herald., 1877-10-13

current Of the Big Horn too swift TO be managed
economically and that Tho garrison OF post No. 2.
ESTABLISHING % depot on the eowDe @ u above
the mouth ot the Big Horn, where stores could pe
the Eleventh infantry lett there to establish and
guard the depot, when the Rosebud dropped down TO
the poin, just below the mouth Of Big Horn, where
Company l., Second cavalry. Captain Norwood, was
camped with our Quilt This consisted OF SIX Indian
horses. two light spring wagons ana one light
when she started down the river leaving Us 10 begin
our real journey. In few minutes the sadded
up and wo started on horseback up the Yellowstone
THE YELLOWSTONE VALLEY.
The valley Is strongly marked, about three miles
wde dat, with good sass, the banks OF the and
OF the stream well wooded with cottonwood trees In
this valley the Yellowstone, \ broad. strong stream
meandsrs bacR and forth, forming both sides
Inc road constantly out oi the fiat vaitsy over tho
points and causing WIDE dciecons the TO head
There Is strong marked wagon trail, but no bridges
or CUTS purely natural road, with steep and
eesoen.s and frequent ggiiles. about as much as
but no sorious breaks. We sometimes shIflca
into our light wagons to save the fatigue OF
travel Thus we journeyed for four days when we
met courier from Fort Ellis with copy of General
Townsends despatch to saying that the President
desired my immediate return unless had Inform ton
that The serious riots there In full had ceased
Light wagons can ont-travcl horses aud baggage
wagoun Up 10 that date We averaged twenty-five
miles day. therefore turned the courier back with
fresh horse and orders to reach Fort Ellis la
days with answer 10 be sant IRON Roseman by tels-
taxing one moro day, being time ior answers on
reaching Fort Ellis tue day before yesterday, August
was delighted 10 hear that the riots had censed,
and that you and tho President had consented that
shoudego on MS originally intended.
Thotscort company came in yesterday, SO that We
are ali hero Fort Ellis. When arrived thero
was but Que company Of tho Seventh Infantry here,
Captain Renham, thirty mon Tho arrival OF escort
gives AN addition OF sixty men There is no seeming
danger here or hercabouts but the Nez Pcrces are
reported to have entered Montana IRON Idaho, and
IN the valley or the Bitter Root about three
tloca nj
buffalo range east and north or this point.
THE NM PgRcgs.
1t seems that for many years these same Nez
Perces, along with Blackfcct from the wostera
part Of Montana have been accustomed TO come TO
the sources OF tho Musse Shell and Yellowstone to
gather meat for the winter iravorsing the whole OF
Montana, doing little or no damage. But the bunaoes
OF the great northern herd like those OF the southern,
are bcing rapidly slaughtered Tor thor SKINS that
now they arc becoming We only saw four
bufyaoes two OF which were killed. IN course,
whereas ten years ago we would have encountered
million.
The time has como when these restless Indians
must Cease TO look To buialoes Us means OF MAIN
tenance, and they should not be allowed TO traverse
the scattercd and exposed settlements OF Montana,
hunger wiil sooner or later compel them 10 xii
some cattle and steal horses, thus leading to killing
and war. Besides, these Nez Perces should DO nude
to answer for tho murders they committed In Idaho
also be punished ~ tribe tor going 70 war with
out Just or pTovocation Hitherto all danger
Montana has IRON the Sioux the east. and the
few troops stationed IN the Territory posted
II were at the eastern doors or passes through the
mountains. Ellis, Baker, Benton aud Shaw; but
last year post was selected al or near Mlssoua,
tho door OF the western frontier Two small CON.
panies, not over sixty men, OF the Sew
sent TO Missoala TO build small, post
there, but hardly had nc arrived wnen this Nez Perce
began, and when u was reported that General
Howard had defeated them and they were reIreating
10 Montana on what is known the $3.50 trail
cltzens OF tho neighoorhood joined them our
pose oi stopping them I'll the troops from Idaho could
como up with them. But u seems that the Indians
passed round Captain kIwn's orinod point and then
entered the valley OF the Bitter Root protesting abso
lutte ioar TO the passcs Of Montana, but IN such
force 600 armed warriors as claims 70 be able II op-
posed, to force their way through. The company is
large ana tho passes scattered that concert Of
action IS most difficult II not impossible
After reference 10 the operations Of Howard and Glib
bon in their pursuit Of the Sez Psrces General shcr
man continues:-
Tomorrow will start for the Park, taking only I've
soldiers with me, 80 that my presence here viii Not
materially reduce tue lighting force for have sent
word 10 General Gibbon that my escort company is
subject to bis orders. do not suppose ruu much
risk. for we are all armed and the hostile Indians
rarely resort TO the Porka poor region Tor game, and
TO their superstitious mind associated with hell by
reason OF It's geysers ana hot springs We expect 10
be gone from here about nftcen days. during which
turn % here, say Angus. Is, T viii 20 20 Va rapidly
TO Helena, whore l will learn all about
tho movements at the worst, and will be governed
somewhat by them; but still attend August 70
visit Forts Shaw and Bruton and TO reach Mssoua
the irst week Of septombsr IL all important that
route or trail bc opened between Mssous and Waia
WalIs but can better Judge OF this after have
passed over the road.
We found ranches being established along down tho
Yellowstone, and The mail contractors have already
put line oil two-norsc spring wagons, that
The route passed over viii MI up with passes.
Tue land is susceptible oil cultivation small scale,
but admirably adapted 10 cattle raising.
Fort Ellis IL small posi- built OF pine logs, all the
We are nil D PERFECTLY well we'll ana enjoy ,hs p,Hs ISOLATION
and freshness Of camp lie. Truly, &e,
FOURTH LETTER.
FOAT ELIIS, u. A., August 10. 1877.
DEAR STR-S The Territory Of Montana,
though very large, ana surrounded on all sides by
Indians liable become hostile the slightest prov
ocation, has Tor ten years been district forming
part Of the Department OF Dakota, and been
TALON OF cavalry uour companiesL The danger usu-
ally lay to the toward the sioux, therefore The
the Missouri; Fort shaw, on Sun River; Camp Baker,
head oil Mussei Shell, ana Fort Ellis at this, the
head Of the Galaun. The infantry regiment should
bc 1000 men, but the policy Of reduction has
gradually reduced the infantry regiment TO about
three hundred men, and early this spring
Inc % ,oar eompane s sn9 second oavay
were detached TO Tongue River 10 assist General Miles
In his active campaign against the Sioux, and when
anies had been by General Niles to the OF
Tongue River, and one company ~, Captain Norwood,
was held 10 escort me 10 THIS their proper post.
GIBBONS PuRsCIT.
On rcaching Fort Elis iound that General Gibbon,
colonel Of the Seventh Infantry commanding this dis
trct had, AZ the request Of General Howard nurrcdy
called every that could be spared and marched
Missoua head Oh the Nez percc Indians deoated
by hlm (Howard) in Idaho Gibbou absolutely
without cavalry, and mis- small Infantry companies
marched with extraordinary speed, making twenty
miles day Nutw outstanding this energy, the In-
dams succeeded In entering the Bitter Root Valley, Tho
cisthe settled Dart oil this country when
they jusolent aud threatening in the extreme,
well mounted ana well armed Gibbons force WIS
utterly inadequate but he seems 10 have hoped oriaTge
from the people lives aud property
were thus endangered ny the presence OF 300 bold
warriors. who did not belong 10 this region al al but
who claimed 10 bo able to march across Montsna help
Ing themselves TO all they wanted TIL they reached
The buffalo range on the Muscia and Judith, 10 he
east aud north OF TINS post, Fort Ellis. General GiD
bon got the trail followed with great earnest
ness, 0verhauled thcm ut place known as Big Hole
iass, got into their camp and fought them bravoiy
and well whole day, inlicting hoavy loss and
tanning corresponding loss IN his own command
II General Gipbon could have had 100 more men
here would now be- lew hostile Ncz Pcrces left But
his force Inadequate anu he did all that man could
TO- The nsAt day Howard got up, ahead OF MS colu-
mand, aud hs now has taken up tho pursuit, and |
hope presently TO hear that he nnished up what
General Gibbon SO we'll began.
PREDICTION
believe these Indians AFRAID to return TO Ilah0,
and think they VIII try TO escape to the great plains
% the east oil the Rocky Mountains by way oi tho
nead OF Wind Rivar, which they will fall the
charge oil General crook or Gcnerai Mics, otnor or
~nom is capable OF running them down.
TLn saA tit