1690 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



willows that grow so abundantly along the borders of the stream in building the arti- 

 ficial crossing. The country becomes more sterile and barren as we continue up the 

 creek. Low hills break away to the right and left. The soil is less coherent and more 

 alkaline, and a rank growth of cactus and sage-brush everywhere greets The eye. At 

 4.15 p. m.. after marching 27 miles, we encamped on Willow Creek, where good water, 

 slightly alkaline, and sufficient grass and wood are found. 



November 21. — The weather has grown more severe, and cold winds prevail. We 

 start at 6.15 a. in., and all day the creek on which we encamped last night is kept in 

 view. The country is rugged and barren, in fact a sterile desert. No living thing is 

 seen : even vegetation dies for want of nourishment. On every side is the appearance 

 of some vast igneous action : chloritic and feldspathic rock, mica, gypsum, and hematite 

 are seen cropping out of the dark cone-like hills. We cross numerous deep arroyos 

 where much fatiguing work is necessary to make a roadway, and finally, at 1.30 p. m., 

 encamp on Willow Creek, near a bunch of cottonwood, where a little strongly alkaline 

 water is found standing in pools. The grass grows sparsely and is of a poor quality. 

 Our march to-day is 19 miles. 



November 22. — Leaving camp at 6.30 a. m. our road is through a broken country 

 similar to that we passed yesterday. Willow Creek is seen to the north of our trail, 

 winding among the low foot-hills where it takes its rise. Passing over a few miles of 

 low rolling country through a drift of rounded pebble which everywhere covers the 

 surface of the ground, we' soon reach a tract of country where the hills develop into 

 small mountains with sides covered with grass and tops crowned with large granite 

 bowlders that balance in the wind. Winding through this small range we pass over 

 rich alluvial deposits, covered with a fair growth of grass, and at 4 p. m. encamp on 

 the " creek on which the women w r ere killed, "' having marched 19 miles. Here we find 

 fair grass and very poor water. As a substitute for wood sage-brush is used. 



November 23. — We break camp at 7 a. m. and for an hour experience difficulty in 

 making a roadway over the numerous arroyos that cover our trail. Soon we enter 

 a beautiful valley, about one mile in width, nestled among the low hills. Passing- 

 through this valley over a good trail, and crossing again the creek on which we en- 

 camped last night, about noon we enter the valley of the Fourchette, the waving 

 grasses of which furnish food to the herds of buffalo and antelope that graze about. 

 The valley is a 1 tout 2 miles in width. The soil, rich and loamy, is covered with the 

 most nutritious grasses of vigorous growth and luxuriant. When open for settlement 

 there is no question about the future of this valley as a favorite stock region, for un- 

 doubtedly it is capable of furnishing pasturage for immense herds of cattle. To the 

 south of the valley a pine-covered ridge stands out prominently. At 4 p. m. a dry 

 camp is made in the valley near some scattered drift-wood. The distance marched is 

 19 miles. 



November 24. — We move out at 6.15 a. m. and soon cross Fourchette Creek near its 

 headwaters. We pass over low rolling hills, covered with a rich growth of grass, and 

 crossing the creek again follow its course over a fair trail until camp at 12m., having 

 marched 12 miles. The water in the creek is alkaline, and cottonwood grows along 

 the banks of the stream. 



November 25. — Leaving camp at 6.25 a. m. for 4 miles our road is poor, many arroyos 

 and small ravines delaying the progress of the train. Captain Bennett with a detach- 

 ment of 50 men proceeds from this point to Carroll in order to make inquiries regard- 

 ing the unlawful sale of ammunition, said to have been made by the trader at that 

 point to hostile Indians. The trail now is gradually ascending over gravelly soil and 

 leads to the high Missouri bluffs, a few miles distant. A slight rain falls and renders 

 the road quite heavy for the remainder of the day. Reaching the blurt's of the Mis- 

 souri, we follow their windings for several miles until a point is reached from which 

 we are able to descend to the valley.'of the river. Here we encamp on the thickly- 

 timbered bank of the Missouri in a small opening of the wood, where the rich grass 

 affords sufficient food for our stock. The march to-day is 15J miles. 



November 25. — Last night the snow fell to the depth of several inches. We expected 

 to have found the river frozen, but arriving here find it open and filled with floating 

 ice. Logs were collected, drawn to the river's edge and a raft constructed. Wagou- 

 boxes covered with canvas and propelled by rudely shaped oars are also brought into 

 requisition. A band of elk and several deer leisurely strolled into camp during the 

 afternoon, and eight of the former and three of the latter are secured. 



November 27 to December 1. — During this time we build another raft and pass a rope 

 across tin- river to be used for ferrying purposes. At its narrowest point the river is 

 at least 150 yards in width, and tilled with anchor ice. The current is very rapid, and 

 the crossing will prove to be a dangerous and hazardous undertaking. Trees are felled 

 in the river higher up, in order that a gorge may be formed, but without success. 

 Several scouts are crossed to the south side of the river, and dispatched in the direc- 

 tion of Captain Snyder's command. The project of crossing the river with the rude 

 means at our disposal is considered to be impracticable and preparations were made to 

 move on the morrow farther up the river, hoping there to find it frozen. 



