The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-08-01
and, although we had "bully
crew, ~ found it a hazardous un-

and, although we had a 9'bully
crew, ~ found it a hazardous un
dertaking. The pillows were fear
full and at one time / was fearful
the boat would swamp. One bill
low struck it in the stern, break
ing over and shipping about a
barrel of water. Began at 400
to cross over the remainder Of
the mules. Mail just then came
in and we crossed it over. At
5 :0O p. M, we were ready. l
had started down to embark, when
orders came directing that the
detachment pitch their tents and
await further orders. Orders came
in the mail directing that two
companies be gotten ready to ac-
company an expedition to the
Yellowstone river.
August 18, 1871.
Got up at 4 90 a. M, breakfast
at 4:3O; left at 500. Killed 8
chickens at 700. Reached Apple
Tree creek at 1900 m. Rested
half an hour at the creek, watered
stock and crossed over. Like to
have sunk one of our six mule
teams. Resolved to reach Burnt
creek, Is miles distant, before
hating for the night. Prairie
burned in all directions. Reach
Burnt creek at 500 p. m. Have
been in the saddle IL consecutive
hours. Saw two deer at the
crossing. This is beautiful camp
ground. Abeautiful meadow bot
tom of 100 acres, perfectly green
and strongly contrasting with the
burnt and blackened country over
which we have passed. The creek
almost encircle it and a semi-circle
Of hills invest it, so symmetrical
that / can scarcely believe it to
be the handiwork Of nature,
whilst the other half opens on the
black hills, range after range.
August 10, 1871.
Moved off at 600 a. m. March
ed to where Private Sheehan was
Intercepted by the fire. Rode to
the top of the different buttes,
from the summit of which l could
examine the country for miles
around. Don't believe he was
burned. Two miles from here is
a large belt Of unburned country.
Think he may have returned to
take the trail and striking it at
some dim point, passed over it
unobserved, and got back on the
prairies 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 riv-
er. Kept two outriders busy ex-
amining the different points, to
avoid getting into some place we
could not get our train out of,
and this, too in country where
we could not get wood or water
enough to cook with. Saw moth
ing but that interminable success
sion of buttes, ridges and coulees
so characteristic of the Gland Of
the Dakotahs. :"
August Is, 1871.
Left Painted. woods this morn
ing. This place is called 3'Paint-
ed Woods" because it was the
battle ground between the Sioux
Indians and the Arickarees. Many
Of the trees are marked with
Indian devices representing in
cidentss of battle. Marched 20
miles and pitched our tents at
Burnt creek. Killed 8 chickens
and 2 ducks on the way.
August 26, 1871.
Left Burnt creek this morning
at z o'clock, with one six-mule
team and two men for Fort Rice,
42 miles distant, for forage for
both man and beast.
Got into fort at 2:3O p. M.
Brought up the rear Of train Of
40 wagons, just getting in from
Fort Wadsworth, destined for the
Yellowstone. Saw a wolf, deer
and 4 antelopes in the road.
How I wish the eastern peo-
pie could see the Indian question
as we Of the west do, who live in
scenes Of terror and daily have
our ears panied and our souls
made sick by some tale OF