90 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
into gullies, by which many pieces were displaced, square blocks being piled into irregular . 
heaps. ; 
On starting from the Big Muddy on the 14th of August the command was in the most excel- 
lent condition and spirits. Two of the mule teams were’ strengthened by an additional pair of 
mules, and the wagons were somewhat. overloaded, for I determined to take nearly all my 
provisions at the depot at Fort Union along, so that there should be no possibility of suffering 
for want of food, even though the depot of provisions in the Bitter Root valley had not been 
established by Lieutenant Saxton. We made 111 miles, and encamped at a most beautiful 
point, in the midst of luxuriant grass. The day was very sultry, some rain fell, and one ox 
died from the heat. 
August 15.—Excellent road all day. Crossed Poplar river, and encamped on the west side; 
excellent water and grass. Distance 18 miles. І now felt the importance of renovating my 
health, in order to prepare for the mountain work. It had been my custom thus far to continue 
at work until midnight, and to be up with the first in the morning. As Mr. Donelson had 
relieved me from many of the executive details, I now resolved to remain in camp and make a 
late start, the party moving off at an early hour. 
August 16.—The road to-day was over the level river bottom of the Missouri. Timber in 
sight all day, the route running through timber for about one mile. Reached a camp where 
there was excellent water, grass, and abundance of timber, at about 5 o’clock, making 233 
miles. The animals came in in excellent order. I issued this evening an order directing every 
person in the expedition, so far as it was consistent with his duties, to walk a portion of the 
way each day; for, in approaching the mountains, my effort was that the animals should be 
increasing rather than diminishing in flesh, and our experience on the Mississippi had taught 
us that by care in all these particulars long marches could be made and the animals improved 
each day. 
August 1T.—Made 15 miles to-day, and camped on the Missouri at 2 o'clock. The road was 
over the level river bottom. Much side work has been done since leaving the Big Muddy by 
Lieutenant Grover, Mr. Lander, and Mr. Tinkham - 
and the meteorological observations have 
been as numerous since leaving the Big Muddy as 
they were on the route up to Fort Union. 
We organized to-day a day guard for the care of the animals, the object being to keep them in 
the very best grazing, without picketing, as long as possible. One mule died to-day. 
August 18.—Passed through to-day villages of prairie dogs. Crossed the Porcupine river 
about five miles from camp.  Encamped on the Milk river, 16 miles being the day's march. 
Here we determined to remain a day to prepare charcoal for the blacksmith, and to make 
observations for the geographical position of its mouth, which is considered а very important 
point in the survey. Our camp was surrounded by alarge grove of cottonwood, (see sketches, ) 
and near it was a delightful spring of water. The valley of Milk river is wide and open, with 
a very heavy growth of cottonwood as far as the eye can reach, which is also to be found along 
the adjacent shores of the Missouri. From the Big Muddy the road has been remarkably fine, 
and there was but one steep pitch which required care in descending with the train. There 
are, however, many little coulées along the route, where streams run in the spring to the 
Missouri and its tributaries, which would require bridging to make an easy and practicable 
road at that season of the year. From the slight examination made, the prairie country along 
