Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1880-07-16
THE COL ORADO SIXTH
THE TRIP AFROM GODS COUN'
TRY TO THE SAC FIELDS.

The Country and Location of Troops
IA Wilderness with an Occa-
sional Oasis---Notes on
the Marches.
(SDecia1 Correspondence of The Tri6une.)
NOTES ON THE JOURNEY.
CAMP ON WHITE RIVER COLORADO,
July 8.-The 9Th Infantry, after leaving
Bismarck on the 10Th ult, arrived at St.
Paul the following day in the evening.
We were entertained upon arriving at the
depot by specimen Of very fine music,
executed by the st. Paul brass band,
which was promptly responded to by our
own band, which came bravely to the
| front and center with "Dixie," 81 ohm
Brown" ETC., doing great credit to the
ability of our band master, MIR. Stygler,
the ample proportions of whose corpora
ton loomed up immense. We delayed
but short time at St. Paul. Speeding
on our way we arrived at Sioux City,
Iowa, the next day at six o'clock p. m.
After taking coffee there and being again
RECALLED by "John Brown" of course, we
proceeded onwards to Council Bluffs. At
that point VIC were transferred to
special train, destined to carry us to Raw
lins, Wyoming, on the Union Pacific rail-
road. 700 miles east of Omaha. This train
crossed the Missouri on the morning of
une 22d, and, after a halt of thirty min
utes at the depot at Omaha, during which
time the men were kindly allowed to
leave the cars and roam at will about the
city, we started, and without further oc-
currencc worthy of note made our appear
ance
| AT RAWLINS
on Thursday morning, the Oath ult.
Strange as it may seem our appearance at
that place failed to create even ripple of
excitement or interest upon the stolid
visaees of the inhabitants thereof. We
must. admit, however, that when darkness
threw its charitable mantle over the face
OF the earth "Whiskey Row" was pretty
well represented from most of the COM
paies, and especially from the teamsters
or "mule skinners'' headquarters, the
government teams being driven on these
routes exclusively by civilians, the latter
lin this respect differing little from the
professional soldier) being especially fond
OF "budge," costing twenty-five cents per
dose. It can be remarked, however, with
candor that the soldiers of the 9Th con-
Quoted themselves on the whole trip with
extraordinary prudence and good be-
havior. A temporary camp was cstab-
| lished one half mile west of town and re-
mained there until the morning Of the
9th, Sunday when we took up the line
| of march in earnest Tor
WHITE RIVER, COLORADO.
| The men were obliged to march on ac-
count Of the deficiency of means of trans
portation, there being furnished only
th1rty-three wagons to transport the sup
plies, baggage, ETC., of a regiment. The
first day out, the heat being very intense,
one soldier was overcome and tell to the
ground A great number complained Of
sore feet that evening and the doctor was
at his wits end the next morning to find
p]aces for the sick men to ride, there be-
ino forty lone on the sick report. The
next day the numl er increased to 100,
furnishing a strong guard to the supply
train as the ambulances were all full and
they were obliged to ride upon the wag-
ons which were loaded to the bows with
baggage We generally made short
marches, (from fourteen to twenty miles)
and with a few exceptions found excel
! lent water at convenient intervals. The
first water course of any size crossed
was Snake river. Two companies D and
| ~ with Mai. O. II. Moore, in command,
were left here. A good bridge, con-
structed by soldiers, as we'll as log quar-
ters. commissary buildings, etc., were
found here. At that point, June 30th we
were mustered for our pay, the band play
inc and the gallant 9th displaying her
regimental colors, made quite d good
showing, taking into consideration the
fatiruing march OF the last three days.
On The evening Of July Sd we arrived at
BEAR RIVER,
thirty-thrce miles from our destination.
Here, owing to the fact that the men were
played out and the next day being the
| 4th of July, the commanding officer con-
| cluded to allow the command days rest.
Bear river is u very beautiful mountain
stream about 100 yards wide with very
swift current flowing westward: 1t IS
spanncd at this point by a splendid wood
en- bridge, the tlmbers of which were
drawn from Snake river. This bridge is
said to have cost the government $50 0o0
A detachment of ten men is stationed as
guard here and q very monotonous time
they must have indeed. We made three
more marches to complete the thirty
three miles and arrived at White river Oh
the morning OF the 7th at9:20 a. H., going
into camp Immediately: Upon arriving
at this point 1st Sergt. Shaw, OF Company
G, was informed that he had been ap-
pointed 2d lieutenant in the 9Th ahd took
command of company K.
1 There is some very fine scenery in Col
orado, but we must say that after leaving
central Nebraska that sage brush was
the 'alpha and omega OF all vegetation
until we reached the vicinity OF White
. river, when the first vegetation was seen
on the mountains Owing to the fact that
the prevailing winds are from the west
1 here. the moisture in the atmosphere is
condensed and precipitated before reach
g ing points farther east and north. About
twenty miles from this point we enter
i called