APPENDIX QQ 1675 



sons — evaporation and anting of water. On the 1st of Jane a very severe storm 



arose, at tirst 1 >*-iii «^- only a cold rain, but finally turned into snow, which tell to a 

 depth of '2. inches, lint the next day was pleasant and the snow all melted off. On 

 the 19th of .June, in obedience to orders from Colonel Miles, the command started for 

 Sunday Creek, marching to Cherry Creek, 'i.l miles. The road was very good, 

 although from looking at it simply it would appear difficult. The country lying 

 between the mouth of Clear Creek, the road, the Yellowstone, and the mouth of Band 

 Creek is covered with cone-shaped knolls, ranging from 50 i<> 500 feel in height, their 

 sides being perfectly destitute of vegetation. This country i- necessarily very difficult 

 for a wagon-train, but the route selected by Lieutenant Long, Fifth Infantry, avoidsa 

 great many of these, and is the best road on the north side of the Yellowstone. The 

 grass is fine, but timber scarce: also wat< r is scan e, except during the wet season. 



On the 20th, marched to Custer Creek (15.81 miles), the road being very good, but in 

 a wet time the portion after entering the bottom on east fork of Custer Creek would 

 be verj difficult, (amp very poor, grass scarce, almost every inch of ground being 

 covered with cactus; water and wood plenty. -Mountain sheep Butte was in sight all 

 day. This is the most prominent landmark in this country, as it is ar least 150 feet 

 higher than any of its neighbors. The Indians use it as a point of observation, from 

 which they can watch the country all around for several miles. Located on the 

 divide between the Missouri and Yellowstone, it commands a good view on all sides. 

 Custer Creek goes dry in summer, hut water can generally be found in holes within 

 half a mile of the crossing. 



On the '^lst. marched to Sand Creek (18.02 miles), passing through "had lands," and 

 over a road which would be almost impassable in wet weather, the country being 

 one vast alkali bed. Cam]) was made on Sand Creek, where grass was very poor; 

 wood and water plenty: water full of alkali. 



On the 22d, marched to Sunday Creek, then crossed the plateaus beyond Sunday 

 Creek and camped on the stream about 10 miles above its mouth. Road was very 

 good, there being one steep pull going out of Sunday Creek bottom. Camp was fair; 

 plenty of wood, water ami grass, Out there was too much sage-brush and cactus for 

 comfort. Water is always found in Sunday Creek, although during the very dry sea- 

 son it does not run. hut water can always be found in pools a short distance apart. 

 The plateau between camp and Tongue River was covered with a most luxuriant 

 growth of grass, which, if cut in time, would make good hay. The command re- 

 mained in cam]) on Sunday Creek until Julv 4, moving two miles down stream on the 

 28th June. 



On the 4th July, started on hack trail, which route was followed to the point where 

 it enters "bad lands." on East Fork of Custer Creek, where we changed direction, 

 moving toward the headwaters of Cedar Creek. Cam]) was made on the 6th (53.40 

 miles from Sunday Creek) on Cedar Creek, about S miles above the June camp. 

 Very cold water was found in springs and in more abundance than at the other camp; 

 plenty of wood and One grass. 



On the 7th. marched 6.90 miles to main divide between Yellowstone and Missouri 

 Rivers and camped on headwaters of Cedar Creek (East Fork). The headquarters and 

 five companies remained in camp here until the 13th, the other live companies going 

 on a scout under command of Lieutenant Colonel Otis. Seventh Cavalry. From Cedar 

 Butte, on headwaters of Fast Fork Cedar, a very tine view- is obtained of the course of 

 Big Dry. on Missouri side, and Cedar and Cherry Creeks, on Yellowstone side of divide. 

 Water is abundant, coming from springs; is very cold, and is almost entirely free 

 from alkali. Grass abundant and of a very nutritious quality (buffalo). The timber 

 consists of a scrub growth of ash. with occasional oaks along the creek banks, with 

 cedars and small pines on hills and buttes. The road from the point where it left the 

 main route was very good, the wagon-train always coming into camp shortly after 

 the column. The crossings were good, the ravines having gravel bottoms, the banks 

 sloping in places. 



On the 1:5th. started hack to Sunday Creek, with instructions to follow along the 

 divide until opposite the mouth of Sunday Creek. The road was winding, and in 

 places it was found necessary to descend from tin- divide. Just north of Mountain 

 Sheej. Butte the divide suddenly falls, the descent to the lower plateau being very 

 sudden. The wagons were let down with ropes. Along this break for aboul a mile 

 tin- divide i-. very narrow, the Yellowstone slope running up to the cut banks of tribu- 

 taries to the Missouri. Camp was made on headwaters of a tributary to Big Dry. in 

 the vicinity of Mountain Sheep Bottom. Day's march, 13.80 miles; water scarce; 

 wood and grass plenty. A great amount of game was killed on this day's march, con- 

 sisting of elk. black-tail deer, and antelope. Five beai - en, hut none i 

 The country along this divide is filled with game during the summer and fall. Out it 

 i- too cold here during the winter, in which season the game goes to river-bottom. 



On the Mih. the inarch was continued 19.74 miles along the divide. The road was 

 difficull on account of a very steep hill which it was necessary to cross. Immediately 

 on each side of this ridge, which is very narrow here, the- country is intersected by 



