NARRATIVE OF 1853. 43 
White Bear lake, with a view of ascertaining the point where the expedition should leave the 
Red river trail, and indicating that it was desirable to run from that point north of Lake 
Traverse to the Dead Colt Hillock, and thence to the Yellowstone. In the execution of this 
duty he was directed to take general charge of the advance parties in charge of Messrs. Lander 
апа Tinkhara, who were to assist him іп reconnoissance, and at the same time collect the data 
in their departments of the work, up to the final period of departure from the Red river trail. 
Boulieau brought this afternoon despatches from Messrs. Lander and Tinkham, who are now 
together, twenty miles west of Sauk river, on the Red river trail, awaiting instructions, and 
Mr. Tinkham requested more voyageurs to assist in camp duties. 
Mr. Lander, adverting to the severity of the sloughs, now full from the late rains, advises 
ropes and brush to be carried to assist in getting the wagons through them. This trip of Bou- 
lieau is worthy of notice, and entitles him to credit as a persevering and trusty man. He left 
our camp late last Friday evening, in search of them, and being compelled to leave his horse 
at the crossing of Sauk river, he waded over and walked out to their camp, some twenty miles, 
sleeping in the prairie, and reached it before breakfast, although he lost the trail. 
June 13.—Continuing the project of sending off the train in detached parties, and thus 
gradually breaking up the camp, much of the day was spent in preparing a party to be placed 
in charge of Dr. Suckley. All was effected by 4. p. m., when his party, consisting of Belland, 
the guide, Мепос, a hunter, a cook, Corporal Coster, and two dragoons, with two led horses 
and two led mules, six pack mules, two men in charge of them, Belland’s riding horse, and a 
Pembina cart, in charge of Henry Boulieau, started for camp. 
He was instructed to follow Lieutenant Grover’s trail, in slow and easy marches, looking 
carefully to his animals, and paying particular attention to the collections in natural history. 
To-day І issued an order creating assimilated rank in the expedition, by which certain 
gentlemen of the party were appointed to the grade of lieutenant, and others to the grade of 
non-commissioned officer, for purposes of convenience in detailing guard. By this course the 
relative position of each man was fixed; and whether in the main or detached parties, it was 
known whose duty it was to give orders in case of necessity. Military organization is in some 
degree indispensable, and the idea of an escort has been entirely abandoned. АП are soldiers 
in the performance of guard duty, and the soldiers accompanying us are on fatigue duty, and 
not merely to escort us by day and to stand guard at night. Several of the Pembina carts 
purchased of Dr. Borup arrived in camp to-day. Out of the four he sent we were able to make 
two pretty good ones. They are made entirely of wood, having no iron at all about them, 
very roughly constructed, and the wheels usually wrapped with raw hide or buffalo skin, in place 
of an iron tire, to prevent their cutting through the marshy ground so extensive between 
here and Pembina. They are drawn by horses, oxen, or mules, one person usually driving 
from two to six carts, and when loaded they will carry from six to eight hundred pounds. They 
look as if made for only one trip, and the creaking of the wheels on their wooden axle does not 
give the idea of their standing much service, Their first appearance to those of the party 
unaccustomed to the sight, with the oxen harnessed in them, caused much merriment; and ag 
they moved over the prairie the singular noise produced by their wheels assured us that with 
such an accompaniment no need existed for any musical instruments or players, for these 
discoursed most sweetly. 
