Montana oil and mining journal., 1939-12-23

will reach Tongue river inside of q
days The command is now crossing
Willow creek, which is very hard ano
with steep bluffs. All well
The letter was mailed at Fort Bu-
ford, and addressed to Mrs. Baldwin
then at Fort Leavenworth.
Continuing his diary, Baldwin gives
a further account OF the march. He
had to build two large and several small
crossings under conditions Of a severe
days march of about 18 miles, 10 of
which was in a direct course. The hills
along the side of the stream were bar
rem as a barn floor, and soft and
marShy, "and If it was not frozen
over could make no progress at all un-
less 1t was very dry. can't describe
the country, it Is so wretchedly poor
and worthleSS-Saw no game"
After an early start on Wednesday
morning, Nov. %, dense fog rose at
nine o'clock completely enveloping ev-
erything so that it was necessary to go
by compass for a distance Of IL miles.
Accompanied by two men, Baldwin
went to the right of the creek, followed
the divide to the head OF the breaks
of Willow creek, then crossed the di-
vide to an eastern fork of this creek,
wended our way through the head
breaks of what believe to be Timber
creek-or the creek ON which the wom-
en- were killed-cutting through the
soft black hills to the south. We struck
the same creek a little lower down
when we went into camp"
The start on the next morning was
delayed until seven o'clock on account
of darkness and a bad route ahead.
The command moved in southerly
course until we struck the valley
xxrf1a Hxyc trrF71n1
west following In a westerly direction
until we reached high point, or ridge
(about 10 miles) from which the val
ley of Fourchet creek (on some maps
Pouchette creek, west of Timber creek /
can be seen for several miles up and
down, then southwest (we) followed
down said stream making for bunch
of timber about five miles distant
when, after reaching 1t, TO our great
but men and animals being very tired, (
we had to stop and make dry camp
Saw Much Wild Game
Later, several parties which had been .
sent out to reconnoiter, returned and
water about two to two and
q half miles further on, and In one
place there was plenty Of timber and
grass. A difference of opinion arose as
TO what distance had been Travelled,
about 19 miles, although many say %
and IS miles-roads have generally
been good and level, but muddy, the
running about 40 degrees
above zero-warm and pleasant all
lay, though it looks very much like
/ storm. The Little Rockies in sight
III day Saw a great many antelope,
buffalo and a few sage hens and
dogs numerous. It
lad been reported that Indians have
,een sent the past two days on our
lanks."
The valley. Baldwin says, so far as
olld be seen, and where we camped, ,
5 about two miles wide, well grassed !
nut no timber so far / think We (
narched about five miles down the /
alley after going into 1t. Tired-ach- /
lg with rheumatism. The doctor gave
le a quart of whisky tonight"
The weather turned colder during /
he night, the thermometer recording
3 above, with a gradual rising up to SO
{ 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The COM
land marched at 6 o'clock, following
own Forchet creek to the west I
ranch which was followed for two Q
lilies when camp was set UP. Baldwin \
)de up the branch for two or three Q
liles looking for an old wagon road. r
ut 1t ran down into the valley and
e could not follow it. The general Il
purse taken by the command was c
est by south for a distance OF 13
liles. The command could not go n
Irther owing to the scouts having lost n
le trail. Wolves, IN addition to large
I'D animals except buffalo, were seen.
ourchet creek and the western branch Il
ere badly cut up with deep ravines o
hich required considerable work 70 tC
lable the train to cross After reach Il
g camp, Baldwin writes that Bailey N
Id Hinkle's tent burned down. di
Marching under cloudy weather con- Ii
tions. with rain threatening and the 2
mperstlne 80 above, the command "a
ached the north bank Of the Missouri bs