Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-02-07

Il
tom lands to the timber belt near the
diver, leaving a plain route for us to
travel, and as we marched along we
could see them standing on the oppo.
site heights flashing the reflections Of
the sun upon us by means OF their
! small looking glasses. One Of the
boys in our company asked taciturn
old scout, who was acquainted with
the traits and customs Of the Indians.
| what they meant by casting the refiec-
lions Of the sun upon us in that way.
Placing his thumb to his nose he
worked his fingers back and forth as
he gruffly replied, ut means this
could only surmise from his para
doxical and indefinite answer, that
perhaps his interpreta collouuial-
~ rendered, signifed that it was in
tended as satirical burlesque upon
the general result and achievement Of
the the forces for Of our expedition, and that
the Indians having safely made their
/ \
transit over the Missouri, could afford
to smile the sardonic grin of de-
| rision.
We struck the river near the MINER
end Of dense forest, about two miles
above the mouth of Apple creek and
short distance below the present 10
cation Of Bismarck, the CAPITAL CITY
OF North Dakota. When our forces
reached the outskirts Of the timber
belt, we halted on the open bottom
lands. The Sixth regiment, Minnesota
infantry, accompanied by the scouts
and artillery, we're then ordered 70
march through the timber to the river
while the remainder of our forces
waited IN line for further orders. The
detached force was scouting In the
lumber two or three hours and we
could hear the roar of cannon as thew
sn smell the e Indians on the pposite side
o. the Missouri. Meanwhile, our men
became thirsty, while waiting in tha
not sun, and asked for water. Their
uenana el We're SO urgent that our can
tain detailed the writer ard ter, mon
from our company to take as manv
empty canteens as we could carry and
go down to the river and fill them We
loaded ourselves up with our com
RACES canteens and started out On o,,r
Journey We met the regiment Of il.
1alntry about half way to the riva,.
coming out Of the timber. The SOL
dlers told us that 1t was about ono
naif mile to the river and for MS IL
hurry along while the scouts were vot
behind for it was dangerous to %
through alone. Fastening along INC
were soon enabled to see openings Il
the dense forest leading towards me
missouri. We soon met the scents
VINO reported that Indians were seen
IN the timber below us, and advised
US TO go back with them. We were
only a short distance from the river.
and ] urged the scouts and nv com.
panions to go through and fill o,,,.
canteens. But the scouts would MI
return return and could not induce nv
companions to make the attemnt With.
ouI their assistance. While we stood
taking there, one of my detailed com
panions, named Bert Loyeland----.a,
young your reckless soldier in onr con-.
pany-said: Come on, boys; follow
me- me-. And before we could prevent
him. him, he spurred up his horse, and gal
loped away in the direction of B tta
river.
HOW ~ wildly was brought to nv
mind min the day Of his enlistment =
watched him disappear in the forest
Like meteor that flashed bright Il
my a memory, I remembered nv nron,.
Use to his poor old fainting motna,
knowing we were both young ana
reckless, she made us promise q
watch over and protect one another
while in the army. The writer affar
an unsuccessful attempt to persuade
me detailed men to go with him II
the assistance Of young Loyeland laft
them and followed the course he had
taken. There were numerous traits
running IN every direction, and II was
impossible for me to proceed yerv far
~ the timber before became con.
fused. and was compelled to take I
general course. Working nv wav
cautiously along through the willows
isoon reached the bank Of the great
river Tying my horse to q tree Z
walked down to the waters edge and
commenced to fill my canteens s.
could see many Indians walking alone
ne sand bar on the opposite shore
drinking and filling their camp kettles
Win water. but as It was about one
naif mile across the channel / cnn.
GUIDED I was beyond the range If
Itheir guns. and hnrriedly continued
z ny task, I had filled one canteen
taken a refreshing drink ana 49,, 81.