6 



encamping on the main Wind River, just below the mouth of Dry or 

 Bear Creek — distance traveled, 17 miles. Shortly after crossing the 

 south fork of Wind River, the country became elevated rolling laud, as 

 far as the crossing of Sage Greek, an insignificant stream of indifferent 

 water, and affording, in the way of grass and wood, no inducements for 

 camping; so that, although it had been the intention to make our camp 

 at this place, it presented such an unfavorable and sage brushy aspect, 

 that the march was continued until the banks of the main Wind River 

 were reached. The country passed over from Sage Creek is broken, but 

 interspersed with grassy plains and hills, the monotony being relieved 

 by oeeasional glimpses of herds of eattle belonging to Indian families 

 or their white friends. We were still on the Shoshone Reservation. 



On August 8, at 6.L> a. m., we resinned the march up the south bank 

 of Wind River, pacing Crow Heart Butte on our right, a high mount- 

 ain of bad-land formation, but an excellent landmark for many hun 

 dreds of miles. We found'h pleasant camp on a small, swift-running 

 stream, called Spring Creek. a tributary of Wind Kiver. The country 



traveled over, except the immediate valley of the Wind Kiver, was of 

 the bad-land formation, and offered no inducements for agriculture and 

 little for grazing purposes. It is high, broken, and rolling. Spring- 

 Creek and Wind Kiver abound in fine white-be Hied dark-spotted trout, 



- 

 V 



Fort Washakie is on the Little Wind River, about 2 miles distant from* t 



the Shoshone Agency. The valley of Wind River at this point is very 

 broad and fertile, and is the best location for the Indians I have ever 

 seen. The reservation of the Shoshones is large, furnishing an abund- 

 ance of good land and fine grazing. 



At Fort Washakie we found our escort and camp equipage, which had ■ 

 been sent there in advance, our camp pitched and everything ready to 

 receive us. August 6 was passed in cauip at Fort Washakie, making 

 preparations for marching the following morning. 



About 2 miles from Fort Washakie, and near our camp, there is a 

 large mineral spring about 400 feet in diameter and 10 feet in depth. 

 The volume of water which flows up from the center is about 16 feet in 

 diameter, and runs from the spring in a large stream, emptying into the 

 Little Wind River nearby. It is a medicinal spring, said to possess very 



line curative properties. Its temperature is 108° Fahrenheit, falling some- 

 what on cool nights. I have no correct analysis of the water, but it con- 

 tains chlorides, a little iron, and some sulphur. There are no deposits 

 from the water, such as are usually found in all hot springs of Colorado 

 and New Mexico, so that there is no danger in freely drinking it for 

 medicinal purposes. The bottom of the spring is soft white sand, ex- 

 ceedingly agreeable in bathing, but strangers have to be very careful to 

 remain in the water for only a short time, until they grow accustomed 



to its temperature. 



On August 7, at 0.15 a. m., the command marched from camp near 

 Fort Washakie, across to the south fork of Wind River via Sag** Creek, 



' 



1 



