56 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
The Judith and Dog Creeks from their sources converge gradually, and, at their junction with 
the Missouri, are but three miles apart. The valley of Dog Creek is broken in a manner similar to 
that of the Judith; and, back ten miles from their mouths, this erosion, from long-continued action 
of water, has gone to such extent that the summit of the divide between these two streams is a 
simple backbone of a few feet.in width, and the passage of this ridge with a single wagon, lightly 
loaded and conducted with care, nearly entailed the loss of the team. This difficult piece of road 
lasted but a few hundred yards. For six miles farther on the valleys keep apart, and give a good 
stretch of prairie. 
A descent into the valley of the Judith was made at a point four miles from its mouth. 
Camped on the river; abundance of wood; grazing poor. 
The Judith is a swift-running stream, from 60 to 80 feet in width, and bas a depth of water 
varying from 2 to 4 feet. Its sources in the Judith Mountains are clear, cold springs, but the 
character of the water changes completely in its course to the Missouri. Its temperature is very 
much increased, and a considerable amount of earthy matter is taken up and held in suspension. 
Though all its upper branches are plentifully stocked with trout, none of these fish were taken in 
the main stream. Its valley proper, from bluff to bluff, is about a mile wide, well timbered with 
a young growth of cottonwood. Scrub pines and cedars are sparsely scattered over the highlands, 
principally on the sides and at the heads of ravines. From the rate at which the wood is now 
being taken out for the supply of steamboats, the whole will be exhausted before many years. 
September 14, moved camp half a mile down stream for better grazing; visited Fort Claggett, 
a small Indian trading-post on the Missouri, a short distance above the Judith. It consists of two 
log buildings facing each other; their ends joined by a stockade, with a small flanking arrange- 
ment at the alternate angles. A few Indians were seen about; their tepees standing near the fort. 
From the ruins of old Camp Cooke, in the west angle between the Judith and Missouri, the 
plan of the post can be distinctly traced; some of the adobe walls still withstanding the effects of 
the weather. 
The 15th and 16th were consumed in a vigorous search for fossils by nearly all the party. 
Observations were made by Mr. Wood. 
On the night of the 16th, a courier arrived from Carroll, with orders from you for the return of 
the party. Preparations were made accordingly. Asit is highly probable that a more lengthened 
search in this vicinity than our time had allowed would be richly rewarded, and, in order to afford 
every facility for the improvement of the time that could be gained, a mackinaw was procured, by 
which Mr. Grinnell, at whose disposal it was placed, with Messrs. Ludlow and Reynolds, was enabled 
to remain somewhat longer upon the ground, and then make Carroll by way of the Missouri as 
soon as the overland party. 
The return trip began on the 17th. My old trail was necessarily taken for part of the way 
back; but, as soon as opportunity offered, a course to the east of it was taken; but little was gained 
by this, however, for from the nature of the ground I was compelled to pass near the old camp on 
Armell’s Creek. 
But little game was seen on the Judith. The Indians, as well as white men in that vicinity, 
kill for hides alone for purposes of trade. The consequence is very apparent. But three or four 
herds of buffalo and a few antelope were seen there; antelope becoming more plentiful as we left the 
river behind us. 
Carroll was reached the afternoon of the 20th; the party by boat making the landing soon 
after. 
This trip demonstrated the practicability of a wagon-road through the Judith Basin to the 
Missouri; though for general use a considerable amount of work would first needs be done. 
The trail was carefully kept; the principal topographical features being sketched in. The data 
for the plotting of the course and the astronomical notes are already in your hands. 
Every facility was afforded Mr. Grinnell in his collection of fossils. It is to be regretted that 
longer time could not have been taken in this work. 
After the departure of the main party from Carroll for the East, it devolved upon me to con- 
duct the transportation back to Ellis. 
The party under my charge consisted of but two sergeants and ten privates of the Second 
