51 



the size and quantity of timber on the banks, the nature of the bottom 

 lands as regards marshes, &c., not equalled by those of any other 

 means of recmnaissance, and the topographer at the same time could 

 avail himself of the extensive and accurate knowledge of the pilot. 

 Our observations, by means of forward and back sights, showed us that 

 the effects of local attraction on the compass by the iron on the boat 

 were not important, and the cbecks on the estimated distances, 

 afforded by the results of observations for latitude, proved that these 

 estimates were very accurately made by Messrs. Hutton and Snowden, 

 who, by turn>s, prepared the sketch of the river. 



As far up as the mouth of James river our advance had been quite 

 rapid, the river being at a good stage ; but a short distance above 

 that point we encountered a sudden and heavy freshet in the river, 

 (produced by rains,) with a current so rapid that our boat was unable 

 to advance against it. From this cause we remained tied up to the 

 bank a whole day. As soon as the river began to fall, the velocity 

 abated, and we proceeded on the voyage. So sudden, however, was 

 the subsidence of the flood that, in five days after we had escaped the 

 embargo of too much water, we found ourselves aground and drawing 

 several inches more water than there was anywhere on the bar^ which 

 stretched across the river. This occuired to us near the first Cedar 

 island. 



Under these circumstances, being anxious to reach Fort Pierre as 

 soon as possible, as was also Captain Frost, (who was sutler at the 

 fort, and whose goods were the principal freight of the boat,) we 

 determined to leave the boat and proceed on foot to the dragoon camp, 

 at the mouth of American Crow river, about 80 miles distant. Our 

 means of transportation were two horses, the property of Colonel Lee, 

 2d infantry, and Lieutenant Colonel Andrews, of the 6th infantry, 

 which carried our blankets and provisions, and we were accompanied 

 by a Mr. Moore and two men. On arriving opposite to the dragoon 

 camp on the evening of the third day's travel, we were informed that 

 there was no boat to bring us across. We stayed on the bank of the 

 river that night, and the next morning renewed our signals to com- 

 municate with the camp. These, however, failed to attract attention 

 to us, and our provisions being short we were obliged, though much 

 wearied by our journey on foot_, (there having been a cold rain one 

 day and night,) to attempt to reach Fort Pierre, 80 miles distant. 

 This we accomplished in three days, and arrived there on the 20th ot 

 May, completely exhausted, having subsisted mainly on the birds 

 killed with our shot guns. The journey gave me an opportunity of 

 viewing the country and its appearances a few miles back from the 

 Missouri. 



The steamboat having landed a portion of her freight at the place 

 where we left her, reached Fort Pierre three days after us. On my 

 arrival all the tribes of the Dakotas west of the Missouri, except the 

 Sichangus and Ogalalas, were assembled in council, and a treaty of 

 peace was made Avith them by General Harney, which terminated the 

 Sioux war. 



Instructions were now given me by General Harney to proceed with 

 my party in the American Fur Company's boat to the mouth of the 

 Yellowstone, and as far above as she should ascend, and to return by 



