APPENDIX QQ. 1679 



water, crossing thai stream about 5 miles above the head of the canon. Passing the 

 main stream and going to the middle fork, the ascent of the mountain was made by 

 following along the valley of this branch, The valley was very narrow and the road 

 exceedingly difficult, often compelling a movement by file. Camp was made in a de- 

 pression near the top of the range, where an abundance of wood, water, and grass 

 was found. Snow was Lying in patches within 300 yards of camp. The march was a 

 very tedious one, on account of the roughness of the country and the continually in- 

 creasing rarity of the atmosphere. The altitude at camp was about 7,500 feet. 



On the 11th crossed the mountains, coming down within a mile and a half of the month 

 of Clark's Fork Canon. The crest was followed about Smiles to where the Indian trail 

 was discovered leading out from the canon on the east side of the range. The descent 

 was exceedingly difficult, several of the pack-mules rolling down the side of the mount- 

 ain for some distance before they could recover themselves. From the interior basin, 

 and on what is known as the " Smelter Trail," there are two ways out of the mount- 

 ains: one by the Stinking-water, and the other across the mountain coming down by 

 Clark's Fork. What is generally called by guides and others in that country as Stink- 

 ingwater Canon is incorrect, as from the valley within a trail through a cation cut 

 by a tributary to Clark's Fork is followed to the mountain crest, and from this point 

 to the Stinkingwater Basin the valley after the middle of Stinkingwater Fork is fol- 

 lowed, the canon of Stinkingwater being impracticable altogether. The ignorance 

 of the guides and their confusion in this respect misled the commanding officer as to 

 the position of the two streams, when, had he been correctly informed, it would have 

 been very easy to move to a position on the crest which would have commanded both 

 outlets. On coming down the mountain-side it was found that the Indians had gone 

 down Clark's Fork the same day that we had started for Stinkingwater. 



On the 12th marched 48 miles down Clark's Fork to its junction with Rocky Fork. 

 A description of this day's route has already been given. 



On the 13th, continued down Clark's Fork for 8 miles, then passed to the plateau, 

 about 5 miles wide, between the Yellowstone and Clark's Fork. A ford across the Yel- 

 lowstone was found, which was crossed without much difficulty, although a wagon- 

 train would have to cut the banks on right side before coming to river-bottom. While 

 the head of column was waiting for the pack-train and rear guard to cross the river 

 a scout brought in word that the Indian camp was about 6 miles downstream. "To 

 horse" was sounded immediately, and the march was downstream for about 2 miles, 

 when word was sent back that the Indians were moving toward the mouth of the 

 canon on Canon Creek ; changed direction so as to try and intercept them, and when 

 about 10 miles from ford overtook them, but not soon enough to prevent them from 

 taking possession of the mouth of the canon. The caiion is a deep cut with precipi- 

 tous sides of about 160 feet in height. The valley is very narrow, being about 50 yards 

 wide at the upper end. The Indians took possession of this and held it until night- 

 fall, previously disputing every inch of ground, and they could only be dislodged by 

 Hanking them. Camp av as made on the battle-field ; grass poor, wood scarce, water 

 alkaline. 



On the 14th, started in pursuit of Indians, following up Canon Creek through the 

 main canon, which was 6 miles long. After coming out of the canon, passed to high 

 grounds between Yellowstone and Muscleshell, passing to the east of alkali lakes 

 where Caiion Creek had its source. The route led directly across Muscleshell, coming 

 to that stream 7 miles above the camp of August 19-20 ; the road very good and prac- 

 ticable for wagons, with the exception of that portion that passes through the canon. 

 On arrival at Muscleshell, the exhausted condition of the animals, together with the 

 fact that the command had been without rations for two days, determined the com- 

 manding officer to await the w agon-train from the Crow Agency. Remained in camp 

 on Muscleshell and on a small tributary 4 miles out until 22d, when the wagon-train 

 having arrived, and being joined by General Howard's command, the march was again 

 resumed, going across Muscleshell to Careless Creek in the direction of Judith Gap. 

 The road from the Muscleshell to Careless Greet was over a very broken country, cut 

 up by ravines w itk steep banks, which had to he cut down before the train could cross. 

 The glazing would have been very good, but the vast herds of buffalo that had been 

 here in August had eaten off the grass almost entirely. Timber in small quantities 

 grows along coulees and small streams, mostly cottonwood, with occasional ash and 

 oak. 



Remained in camp 23d, and on 24th marched 8.35 miles to Fish Creek, where camp 

 was made, with plenty of wood, water, and grass. 



On 25th, moved along base of Little Snowy Mountain, over a broken country, but 

 found a very good road for wagons. Crossed the divide at 1(> a. in., and entered the 

 Judith Basin. Went 2 miles to the right of trail in order to get wood. Camp was 

 made at the base of the mountain, on a little mountain rivulet, where plenty of grass 

 and wood were found. 



On 26th, marched 20.74 miles to Beaver ('nek. skirting the base of the Little Snowy 

 Mountain, came into Carroll road at 9.05 a in. 8 miles from camp, and from this point 



