TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 57 
Cavalry, and it was my intention to follow the road previously passed over by the party; but on 
my arrival at the forks of the Musselshell River, I feand a company of the Second Cavalry, com- 
manded by Lieut. L. H. Jerome, under orders to scout. the country east of the Crazy Mountains as 
far as the Yellowstone, and thence to return to Fort Ellis by way of that river. 
Through the courtesy of Lieutenant Jerome, I was enabled to avail myself of the opportunity 
(which the small force at my disposal rendered it imprudent to attempt) to strike the Yellowstone 
at Big Timber Creek, a point within about seventy miles of that to which General Forsyth had 
ascended with his expedition in the spring. 
Camp at the forks of the Musselshell was struck on the 28th of September, crossed to the 
south side of the Musselshell a mile below the forks, followed the general course of this stream for 
about four miles to the Little Elk—a well-wooded stream, crossed from this creek to the Big Elk 
(seven miles) in a course a little east of south, passed this stream, and three-quarters of a mile 
farther on a branch of the same. About eight miles more of travel brought us to the Porcupine 
(or American Fork). Here camped. 
Throughout this day’s march, an exceedingly large number of antelope were observed, and at 
our camp on the Porcupine the woods and underbrush were alive with deer, showing in a very 
marked manner the absence of the skin-hunter. 
September 29.—Traveled seven miles to Summit Creek; four miles farther on crossed the Sweet 
Grass, a tributary to the Yellowstone. It is fed by springs and melted snow from Crazy Mountain, 
and flows a volume of water nearly equaling that of the Musselshell. 
Beyond this, several small streams were passed: Beaver Creek, standing in pools at this season, 
two miles; a branch of same, half a mile; three miles farther on, Williamson’s Creek, and a mile 
from this, Burnt Creek, all emptying into the Sweet Grass. 
. The first crossing of Big Timber Creek was at three miles; we recrossed half a mile beyond, 
and camped on left bank. This stream is about 20 feet wide, clear and cold. The valley is very 
heavily timbered. 
On the department maps, several small streams are noted as running into Big Timber from 
the north. There are no streams of any moment after passing Burnt Creek going south on this 
trail. 
October 1.—Traveled down left bank of Big Timber for about five miles; crossed within half a 
mile of its mouth. Here observed indications of Indians, probably Crows. 
Two large tripods, 20 feet or more in height, had been erected, and from the legs of these were 
suspended hundreds of moccasins, some of them beautifully beaded. It was remarkable that none 
of these moccasins were more than 5 inches in length; the most of {hem averaging about 3 inches; 
probably some offering, or medicine. Traveled up Yellowstone on its left bank. Little Timber 
about four miles and a half from Big Timber, about a third of the size of the latter; well wooded. 
The country between these two streams is very poor, almost no grazing; sage-brush being the main 
production. Half a mile farther on crossed a branch of Little Timber; the two unite about three 
hundred yards from the Yellowstone. Three miles beyond, Cherry Creek. In succession, we 
passed Duck Creek three miles on, Hot Spring Creek three miles beyond, and Cold Spring Creek a 
mile beyond that. Went into camp on the Yellowstone near the latter. 
October 2.—General course still along Yellowstone. Crossed Yellowstone ten miles from camp 
at a point nearly opposite old Crow agency. The ford was very circuitous, ranging back and 
forth along the bars io avoid deep water. At this season, the greatest depth on this ford brings the 
water nearly to the wagon-body. 
The old Crow agency, recently abandoned, is at the foot of the Yellowstone Mountains, oppo- 
site to, and about four miles from, the mouth of Shield’s River. It consists of a collection of rude 
buildings, principally adobe. Recrossed the Yellowstone about five miles above the agency. There 
are two fords equally good, one above and one below “ Benson’s Ferry.” Formerly, the passage of 
the stream at high water was made by a ferry-boat conducted by means of a cable stretched across 
the river. At the time of my crossing, the ferry was not in existence. Its place is marked by two 
stones on the left bank. Camped two miles below, just opposite one of the highest points of the 
Yellowstone Mountains, called Medicine Peak. 
October 3.—After leaving camp, crossed Fleshman’s Creek about eight miles from Shield’s River. 
8 Ww 
