1680 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



• 

 to Carroll this road was followed. Beaver Creek lias a current of about a mile to tiie 

 hour, is about 1 foot average depth and 10 yards wide. Camp was made without wood; 

 plenty of water and hue grass. 



On 27th, marched 15.75 miles to a camp at base of mountains, crossing Big Spring 

 Creek, which is the main tributary of Judith River from the east side. A divide of 

 3 miles to the right was made in order to get wood. The camp was made at a small 

 spring coming out of the mountains, which sinks 200 yards from its source ; wood and 

 grass in abundance. 



On the 28th, marched 22.89 miles to a camp on Box Elder over a very good road. It 

 was necessary to haul wood from ArnelFs Creek, 8 miles from camp ; water and grass 

 plenty. 



On 29th, marched 20.87 miles to a camp on Crooked Creek. It rained the night 

 before and during the day, and the route leading over a very broken country made 

 the day's march exceedingly difficult. Water was found in holes, and wood was ob- 

 tained in small quantities along the stream, but practically this country along the 

 road is destitute of timber. 



Remained in camp the 30th. 



October 1, marched 20.96 miles to Carroll, on the Missouri River, the road leading 

 along a divide which extends to the river bottom, and which was passed over without 

 any difficulty, notwithstanding recent rains. The bluffs on each side of the Missouri 

 River rise abruptly from the bottom, and are cut up by deep ravines, with cut banks, 

 rendering them impassable in most places. A sparse growth of pine and cedar is found 

 along the bluffs. The bottoms are covered with a growth of Cottonwood, leaving 

 occasional open places that are covered with a rank growth of sage-brush. The ab- 

 ruptness of both the ascent and descent to the river bottom along this portion of the 

 Missouri renders it exceedingly difficult to take a wagon-train through this country. 

 The portion of country from the Muscleshell to Carroll, through the Judith Basin, 

 is the finest for stock-raising that I have seen in the Northwest. Grass is abundant, 

 and numerous springs and little streams near the mountains furnish plenty of water. 

 The valleys near the base of the mountains and other protected spots would furnish 

 protection during the Avinter, so that stock could be kept the year around without 

 feeding. The difficulty in traveling along this route is the scarcity of wood, which, 

 although there is plenty of timber on the mountains, yet they are generally too far 

 off to furnish wood for camps. 



Remained in camp on the 2d, on the afternoon of which day news was received 

 from General Miles that he had surrounded the Nez Perce's camp. Preparations were 

 immediately made for ferrying the river, which was done on the steamer Silver City 

 on the 3d. 



On the 4th. marched 25 miles to the headwaters of Little Rocky Mountain Creek, 

 and camped near the base of the Little Rocky Mountains. The ascent from the river 

 bottom was very steep, requiring three teams to each wagon. After the plateau was 

 reached the road led over a rolling prairie to the base of the mountains. Grass was 

 scarce ; plenty of wood and water. Moved camp 3 miles on the 5th, and there waited 

 the arrival of the infantry, which had been sent by boat to the mouth of Little Rocky 

 Mountain Creek, and afterward came up by land to our camp. 



On the 6th, marched 18.71 miles to a fresh-water lake On the west side of Little 

 Rockies, passing over an old cart-trail which Avas made by Indians (half-breeds) from 

 old Fort Browning and Aicinity, going to Carroll to trade. The trail leads betAveen 

 Black Butte, at southwest point of Little Rockies, and the main range is difficult, 

 leading across several deep-cut ravines. After coining out of the pass the route led 

 across a rolling prairie for about 5 miles, when it descended to the valley of Peoples 

 Creek, tin 1 descent being Aery steep. After going 4 miles doAvn the valley of this 

 stream the route led again to the plateau, the ascent being gradual. Camp Avas made 

 2 miles from Peoples Creek; no wood, with plenty of grass and water. 



On the 7th, received ucavs that the Nez Perces had surrendered to General Miles, 

 when the command turned back and camped on Peoples Creek. The next day Colonel 

 Sturgis and staff received orders to proceed to Fort Lincoln by steamer, and with this 

 intention the headquarters on the 8th proceeded to the Missouri, at the mouth of Little 

 Rocky Mountain Creek, for the purpose of there taking the, steamer. The command 

 afterward marched to a camp on the Missouri, opposite the mouth of Squaw Creek, 

 where they remained until the 28th, Avhen orders were given by the department com- 

 mander to proceed to Fort Buford. The command marched to Fort Buford, where it 

 remained until December 19, Avhen i1 started for Fort Abraham Lincoln, arriving all 

 that place December 30. 



The total distance traveled by the command was 1,953.66 miles from the time it left 

 Fori Abraham Lincoln to its return to that post. In addition to this, each company 

 did its regular tour of scouting duty and detached service while in camp on the Yel- 

 lowstone, so that the total amount of the summer's and fall's march would sum up 

 about 2,300 miles. 



