Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-11-10

contrasting with the burnt and blackened
country through which we have passed.
The creek almost encircles 1t, and a semi
circle of hills invest it, so symmetrical that
l can scarcely believe them to be the handi-
work of nature while the other half opens
out toward the blackened hills, range after
range of which successfully rises higher
and higher.
August 19.-Moved off at 6 a. m. Wind
blew all night; cloudy and cool. Marched
to where Private Sheenan was Intercepted
by the fire.
Rode to the top of the different buttes
from the summit of which | could examine
the country for miles around. Don't be-
lieve he was burned.
Two miles from here is a large body of
urbarnt country. Think he may have
reached that and returned to take the mail
trail, and striking it at some dim point
passed over it unobserved and got back to
the prairie and lost his way.
After travelling six miles from camp.
concluded. to go down under the bluffs
which we did. Had to abandon the mail
trail at Burnt creek.
Terrible broken country here, in SIGHT of
the Missouri river. Kept two outriders
busy examining the different points to
avoid getting into some place we could not
get our wagon trains out of, and this too in
a country where we could not get water or
wood enough to cook with. Saw nothing
to-day save that interminable succession
of buttes, ridges and coolies, so character
istlc OF the Island of the Dacotahs."
Sergeant Ahrens and two men got per-
mission to go ahead this morning and hunt.
l let them have my gun and of course sew
ira deer have come within range. 1t is
now dark and the mon are not in. Reached
Painted Woods at Z p. m. Fired six signal
guns for the absent party. No answer.
Indians sneaking around, probably.
Aug. 20, 1871.-Sergeant Ahrens and the
men came in to-day. They had omitted
turning down the bluff, but instead kept
on fifteen miles above here. His wolf-dog
gave out for want of water and he was
compelled to leave the ugly beast on the
prairie. This is the Sd anniversary of nv
marriage. Spent it by going d%uckshooting,
twelve miles above here with Pfotenhaur,
the w%ood-chopper here. Killed twelve
ducks and two chickens.
Aug. 81, 1S7l.-Sunday, wrote to my wife.
at the fort. Laid Oh my cot in the tent all
day and read "Hiawatha." Lieut.. Cairnes
went out with a wagon to have the men
stake the road to the top of the bluff,
twelve miles distant. They have only
built one mound so far as an experiment.
Aug. 22.-The men went to work this
morning and built three mounds.
Aug. 23.-Went hunting and killed one
deer and One antelope.
Aug. 24.-Went hunting and killed one
deer, one duck and three hawks.
Aug. 25.-Broke camp at Painted Woods
this morning. This place is called Painted
Woods because it was the old battle
ground between the Sioux Indians and
the Arrickarees. Many Of the trees are
marked with Indian devices representing
incidents in battle. Marched twenty
miles and pitched our tents at Burnt creek.
Killed eight chickens and two ducks on
the way.
Aug. 26.-Left Burnt creek this morning
at Z o'clock, with one six-mule team and
two men for Fort Rice, forty-two miles
distant after forage for both man and
beast. Got into fort at 2:SO p. m. Brought
up the rear of a train of forty-nine wagons
just getting in from Fort Wadsworth des-
tined for the Yellowstone. Killed a wolf
deer and four antelope ION the road
Sergeant Ahren's wolf dog was at home at
the fort.
Aug. 27.-To-day, Sunday, has been a
cold, dark, drizzly day.
Aug. 28.-Left Fort Rice at 10 a. m
River rough. Wagons loaded and roads
heavy. Excessively warm. Reached
Burnt creek, f0rty-two miles distant at
$50 o'clock. Found camp in good condi-
ton, and command in good spirits. No
Indian signs yet.
August 29.-Am heartely tired of the mon
otony of camp life. The, soldiers killed
twenty duck on the creek to-day.
August 31.-This being the last day of
the month, the command was mustered for
pay. Have made preparations to break
camp early tomorrow morning, and; pitch
our tents at Apple Tree creek.
September IA courier arrived last
night with a dispatch ordering our com
mand into the fort. Left bright and early
and reached the fort at::4 p. m.
September 4.-The steamer "Far Vest
arrived at the fort this morning, having ON
board Generals Stanley and Crittenden and
four companies of Infantry, destined for
tine Yellowstone country. Surgeon God
dard has been ordered to accompany the
expedition, and Ehas been relieved from
duty. am ordered to assume his duties
i'm addition to my own during his absence.
Another explanation of the way that
Painted Woods derived its romantic
name is found in a tradition that once
a Sioux brave fell in love with a maiden
of the Arrickarees, who was already be-
trothed to a warrior of her own tribe.
The Sioux lover killed the Arrickaree,
whereupon the warriors of her own tribe
killed the girl. The two bodies were
then bound together in n blanket, and
placed in the branches of an elm tree.
fr, o---p -. ~