Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-11-10
CHAPTER v.
THE MOUND BUILDERS.

" HE student of the early history
of this region who desires to
form an adequate idea of the
situation in those early days
uill please bear IN mind that what is now
the map of North Dakota, was then a
blank 60 far as settlements or railroads
we're concerned. There were no roads at
all, only trails, and these we're limited to
the mail trails running up and down the
river between the military forts of Blu.
ford, Stevenson, Rice, Sully and Randall,
and the overland route between Forts
Stevenson, Totten Cat Devils Lake,. and
Abercrombie in what is now Ransom
county.
The mails for Forts Stevenson and
Buford we're sent up from Fort Rice on
the east side of the river. The enlisted
men who carried the mails in winter did
so at risk of their lives.
The trail that ran along the rivers
edge was then impossible from the heavy
snowfall-the bottom lands being heavily
timbered. But on the bluffs there were
no landmarks, and out of sight of the
river the men had no guide to mark
their course, and easily became lost. In
this way many valuable lives were lost
every winter.
The following official order received
by my husband on Aug. 10, 1871, can
best illustrate the state Of the country
then:
HDQTRs. FORT RICE, D. IT,
August 10. 1871.
Acting Assistant Surgeon B. F. Slaugh-
ter. Us A.. will report to Lieutenant
James Humbert. 18th Infantry, command
ing detachment on duty under Special
Order No. 40 from Headquarters Depart.
ment OF Dakota, to build mounds to mark
Che trail between this post and Painted
Woods, d. Ia point sixty miles north.
A. A. Surgeon Slaughter will take with
him medical supplies sufficient for thirty
days. BY order of
MAJOR SANGER.
Commanding Post.
lIoHAr1o POTTER, JH,
LIST Lieut.. 18th Inf, Post Adjutant.
Official:
To A. A. Surg. B. F. Slaughter, U. S. A.
This detachment crossed the river at
Fort Rice on the morning of Aug. 10,
1871, and marched overland to Painted
Woods, where a similar detachment from
Fort Stevenson met them. The first
mound built by the Rice detachment
,nn ot,ll ho ,oor ~ Do;rko1 Moods noar
the residence of W. H. H. Mercer, a cur
ious reminder of the old condition of
affairs.
These mounds were built of sod, six
feet at the base, and seven feet high,
ballasted with stone when available, and
were placed at close intervals along the
trail.
From the journal kept by DR.. Slaugh-
ter on that expedition I adduce the fol-
lowing extracts as showing the condition
of the country at that time:
Fort RICE, D. IT, Aug. Is, 1871.
Got ready to-day to leave for Painted
Woods. Began crossing wagons and
mules at Z a. m By II a. M. had over all
out two loads, but had to suspend opera
lions on account of the nigh wind. Got
in the yawl and crossed over to see about
my hospital stores, and although we had a
bully crew. found it a dangerous under
taking. The pillows were fearful and at
one time 1 feared the boat would swamp.
One wave struck the boat in the stern,
breaking over and shipping" about a bar
rel of water.
Began at 4 p. III. to cross over the remain
der Of the mules. The mail just then came
up and we had to stop to cross it over.
,At5p. m. we were all ready and | had
started down to embark, when orders
were issued directing that the detachment
pitch their tents and await further orders
orders having come in the mail, directing
stat two companies be gotten ready to &C.
company the expedition ordered to the
Yellowstone river.
August 10Th.
Orders issued to-day for us to march to-
morrow as soon as w a get off, and
mark the trail to Painted Woods anyhow.
Will get ready this time after l know that
everybody else is ready.
Aug. II, l87l.-After much delay our de-
tachment moved off with %thirty-one men,
sixteen mules, two horses, ambulance
wagons, supplies, etc. We marched to a
bottom six miles distant called the shay
camp" and pitched our tents at 4 p. m
Just after going into camp a courier arrived
from the fort with orders directing that
the locality in which Private Sheenan was
separated from the mail party six days
previous be examined, and ascertain II
possible his fate. He was cut OFT by
prairie fire.
Aug. IS, 1871.-Got up at 4 a. III. Break
last 4::SO a. m. Left at s a. nj. Killed three
prairie chickens at Z a. III. Reached Apple
Tree creek at IL H.. Rested half an h0ul
at the creek, watered stock and crossed
over. Like to have wrecked one of ou'
mule teams. Resolved to reachlBurnt creek
fftsen miles distant before hating for thu
night. Prairie burned In all directions
Reached Burnt creek at s p. m. Marched
t~hirty-six miles to-day. Only found water
$500.