Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-01
VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
SECOND EXPEDITION OF N. P. II. r. En-
GINEERs TO THE YELLOWSTONE.
~ N April l6. 1872, the following
order had been issued from de-
partment headquarters:
~ HDQrRs. DEPT. OF DAKorA,)
ST. PAUL, April IL, 1872.
Special Orders No. $751;
A board OF officers is hereby appointed
to select and recommend for adoption a
site for the location of a new post to be
constructed on the west bank of the Mis-.
the point where the Northern Pacific rail-
road will cross the river.
DETAILS FOR THE BoARD.
Col. D. s. Stanley, 22d lnfy.
Capt. J. w. Sculley, A. q. NJ, US A.
Capt. d. r. Heap, Corps of Engineers,
Actg Asst. B. F. Slaughter, U. s. A.
The board will assemble as Don as prac-
ticable at Fort Rice, ID. T., and proceed
thence to make the necessary examination
precedent to rendering its report and
making a recommendation.
Captain Heap will lay OFT a reservation
for the p0st-a plan of which will be sub
United with the report of the board.
The commanding officer of Fort Rice
will cause to be furnished such transpOr-
tati0n and escorts as may be required to
enable the board to execute its instructions.
BY command of Mai. Gen. Hancock.
O. D. GREENE.
Assistant Adjutant General.
g.. LUTTRELL WARD,
I'd Lieut.. ed Unity, Aide de Camp.
To Act'g Asst. b. F. Slaughter, us. A.
On July 9, 1872, Gent. Stanley was re-
lieved from duty on the board, and Genl
TIL. Crittenden, commanding officer at
Fort Rice was detailed to fill his place.
The board organized by the election of
General Crittenden as president and of DR..
Slaughter as recorder.
From the official report of the board, l
copy as follows:
SIN pursuance of the above order-the
board met at Fort Rice, D. L. On July 22nd
1872 and in company with D. e. Lindsey
and T. l.. Rosser, engineers of the North
ern Pacific proceeded to the point desig-
mated by them as the railroad crossing of
the Missouri river. After a careful examin-
atom of the ground in the vicinity the
board selected as the most eligible reser.
ration the lands described below" (Here
followed a description of the land after
ward set off as the reservation of Fort
Abraham Lincoln.)
The site for the fort itself was the point
afterward known as Sort Lincoln on the
hiil,' south of Mandan, and the site
OF which is still marked by the trees
planted by Gen. Carlin, then lieutenant
colonel of the 18th, when c~ommandant
there in 1873.
The report of the board was accepted
and the fort vas built on the spot selected
BY them, aud named Fort Mexican in hon:
Or of a deceased army officer. The name
was afterwards changed to Fort Abraham
Lincoln, by which name the lower fort
Quilt by Gen. Custer was also known.
A second expedition to the Yellowstone
was fitted out at Fort Rice in July, 1872,
and again was the plain lively with the
movements Of troops and wagon trains. 1t
was composed of portions of three regi-
ments-the 9Th, 18th and 22d Infantry with
some artillery and cavalry with mounted
Edlan scouts. While forming, the troops
were encamped on the hillside, and their
white tents and canvas covered wagons
formed a pretty picture in the clear air of
Tie warm bright days. Again was the fort
sscene of hospitality and social pleasures,
and again did we revel in the unwonted
sense of security with which the presence
OF SO many troops inspired us.
The engineering party consisting of
chef engineer, d. L.. Rosser, with Engi-
aeers Lindsey and Eckleson, with a corps
OF surveyors and assistants. This party
formed a separate camp from the military
and carried their own mess tents. The
troops were under command of General D.
l.Stanley, colonel of the 22nd, who had
oeen relieved from duty on the board to
.ocate the new post, in consequence of his
having been afterwards ordered to 90 In
command of the expedition.
The column left Fort Rice on July 25,
i772, preceded to the hills west of the fort
~ the regimental band, playing appropri-
a'e airs. The ladies of the post accom-
panied by General Crittenden and a num-
oer of the other departing officers leading
Their horses, had already walked out there
" witness their departure.
Here the column halted, and all the
Junior officers who could leave their post
with their companies came to take leave of
Us. Among these were two whom we were
destined never to see again, Lieut.. Adair
OF the 22d, and Lieut.. Eban Crosby of the
Sun. Crosby was a brave and worthy
'i'lcer who had lost his right arm in the
war Of the rebellion. He was a great
eavorite in the social life of the fort, and
Row took leave of us, with many a gallant
speech and pleasant jest. Soon the bugle
calls to place. The farewells are cut short,
ana speedily each officer is In his proper
place in that long imposing line. Three long,
'esounding cheers are given. The band
''rlkes up 1.-THE Girl l Left Behind Me-"
and to that lively air the column moves.
We stand with waving handkerchlefs,
saiuting our friends, with pleasant words
as they march gaiIy past US. Soon they
nave gone by and the long brilliant line of
loyal blue winds out among the hills with
n N~-~1- A---- III