Year: 1874




we were led into deep, broken canyons,
impossible even to horsemen. Through
one of these | made my way on foot from
a high point, and obtained view of the
plains outside. Retracing my steps,
placed the command in the camp in fine
valley in which it had halted, and con-
verted the remainder of the day to fur
ther search for practical route through
the hills. The result decided me to follow
toward the south and aferward toward the
east


This stream proved to be Elk creek, the
valley Of which, as well as the stream it
self: proved to be at least equal in beauty
and extent to any passed through during
the march We camped twice on this
stream, and as far as we proceeded down its
course we had most excellent road but
finding that like nearly all other streams
leaving the hills, its course would take us
into canyon which could be barely made
practicable for wagons, [ searched for and
discovered narrow gap in the rocky wall,
which forms the northern boundary Of the
valley, and which was large enough to al
low our wagons to pass conveniently
through.


A march of an hour up gradual ascent
and through pine forest brought us to
beautiful park, containing thousands of
acres, from which we obtained a fine view
in the distance Of our old acquaintance.
''the plains. Here we pitched our tents
for the last time in the Black Hills, nearly
every one being loath to leave region
which had been found delightful in almost
every respect. Behind US the grass and
foliage were clothed in green of the fresh
ness Of May. In front of US we cast eyes
over the plains below we saw nothing but
comparatively parched, dried surface, the
sunburnt pasturage of which offered most
uninviting prospect both for horse and rider
when remembering the rich abundance we
were leaving behing US


\ march Of twenty-six miles gradually
bearing northwards brought US to the Bear
Butte, at which point concluded to remain
one day before beginning our return march.
proposed to return by different, although
perhaps not shorter. route than that adopted
in coming to the Black Hills. I am induced
tn make this change III order to embrace a
large tract of unexpiored country within the
limits of our explorations, and particularly
TO enable us to locate as much as possible Of
that portion of this Little Missouri. of which
nothing Is known. | expect the expedition
to reach Fort Lincoln about the 31st of Au-
gust. The health OF the command has been
and is most excellent


This expedition entered the Black Hills
from tho west side, passed through the east
ern and most southern ranges, explored the
major portion Of the interior. and passed
out Of the most eastern ranges. which form
the boundary of the Black Hills, From
the fact that in all our principal marches
through the Black Hills we have taken
without serious obstacle a heavily laden
train Of over one hundred wagons, it may be
inferred that the Black Hills do not con-
stitute the impenetrable region heretofore
In entering the Black Hills
from any direction the most serious if not
the only obstacle we encountered at once
near the outer base. This probably ac-
counts for the story which has so long
existed regarding the character Of the
interior.


Exploring parties have contented them
selves with marching around the exterior
base, and from the forbidding aspect of the
hills, as viewed at a distance, inferred that
an advance towards the interior would only
encounter increased obstacles. In regard
to the character Of the country inclosed by
the Black Hills | can only repeat what |
have stated in previous dispatches. No
portion of the United States can boast Of a
richer or better pasturage or purer water,
the natural temperature Of which in
as it flows from the earth, is
twelve degrees above the freezing point, |
and of greater advantages generally to the
farmer or stock raiser than are to be found
elsewhere. In the Black Hills building |
stone is found in inexhaustiblc quantities, |
and wood, fuel and lumber sufficient for all |
time TO come Rains are frequent, with |
no evidence Of either drought or freshets |


The days arc perhaps too short and the !
nights too cool for corn; but | believe all |
other gain could be produced here in
abundance. Wheat particularly would |
yield largely. There is no doubt as to the !
existence Of various metals throughout |
,he hills As this subject has received the !
special attention ofexperts who accompanied !
he expedition, and viii be reported upon
n detail, l will only mention the fact that
ron and plumbago have been found, and |
beds of gypsum of apparently inexhaustible
extent | referred in a former despatch |
o the discovery of gold. Subsequent
at numerous points confirm
md strengthen the fact of the existence Of
,old in the Black Hills.


In some of the water courses, almost
very painful of earth produced gold in
mall yet paying quantities Our brief
lalts and rapid marching prevented any
hing but very hasty examination of the
country in this respect, but in one place,
nd the only one within my knowledge
where 50 great a depth was reached, a hole