1674 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS. 



On the 17th marched 4 miles above Fort Buford (13.66 miles, day's march), camping 

 in river-bottom opposite the mouth of the Yellowstone. The bottom is almost impas- 

 sable in wet weather. Grass at camp poor. The command was in camp here until the 

 19th, when the steamer Far West arrived and ferried it to the south side of Mis- 

 souri, between the Yellowstone and Missouri. A heavy rain-storm fell this day which 

 completely inundated the bottom, making it necessary to move camp to the high 

 grounds about a mile back. 



The country from Fort Abraham Lincoln to Fort Buford along the Missouri is of the 

 same general character, and a description of any part will suffice for all. The soil is 

 sandy alluvial, thoroughly impregnated with alkali, which manifests itself in the 

 water, and also the bottoms and hillsides. The country is underlaid almost entirely 

 by lignite beds, the strata being visible along river-banks and in ravines. The strata 

 on the south and west bank of the river are nearer the surface than on north and east 

 banks. Timber grows only along river-bottoms and ravines and other depressions 

 where the features of the country afford protection against storms and fires. 



The prairie fires which pass over the country every fall are the great destroyers of 

 vegetation of more than one year's growth ; otherwise, I think this country would in 

 the course of a few years be covered with a growth of trees and shrubs. A command 

 marching through this country during the wet season should be provided always with 

 a bridge-train, for the small alkali streams are found to be the real obstacles to the 

 progress of a command, very often the cavalry having to bridge before crossing. 

 Stringers and cross-pieces with enough jdank to lay a bridge for 30 feet would be 

 found of great service, and will suffice for all ordinary crossings. This bridge can be 

 laid flat on the ground, as the approaches are generally good or can be made so with 

 very little w ork. • 



From the 19th to the 23d the command remained in camp between Yellowstone and 

 Missouri equipping and enlisting scouts preparatory to the march up the Yellowstone. 

 The valley of the Yellowstone from its mouth to 50 miles above averages about 2 

 miles in width, and is one of the most beautiful and fertile valleys of this" northwest- 

 ern country. The bottoms near the river are covered with a dense growth of tim- 

 ber, mostly cottonwood, from the outskirts of which a level prairie extends back to 

 the hills which is covered with a luxuriant growth of grass of sufficient height for hay 

 and of a very nutritious quality. 



The streams tributary to the Yellowstone along this line are swift-running little riv- 

 ulets with gravel-beds. They go dry in summer, the water sinking and evaporating 

 before reaching the valley. 



The command marched 21.40 miles on the 23d, camping on the bank of the Yellow- 

 stone. Forsyth's buttes were in plain sight during the entire day, bearing 324°-260°. 



On the 24th, marched 18.75 miles up valley, the road being very good, with the 

 exception of a mile of alkali flat which was very difficult for wagon-train. The hills 

 gradually approach the farther up stream we move, until they are within half a mile 

 at camp. Camp was made on the bank of the Yellowstone, with plenty of wood, 

 water, and grass. 



t- On the 25th, marched 18.74 miles up Yellowstone, passing through about three- 

 fourths of a mile of very bad alkali flat. Made camp on Muster Creek, near its 

 mouth. The Yellowstone, on opposite bank, cuts into the hills, making the opposite 

 banks very steep and rugged, ranging from 50 feet to 250 feet in height, almost per- 

 pendicular. Game was found in abundance, consisting of antelope and black and white 

 tail deer. 



On the 26th, marched to Glendive Station (11.47 miles), the road for 7 miles being 

 very bad. The river curves so as to cut into the hills on the north side, so that the 

 road over this portion for 7 ljiiles is very rough. Glendive Butte, or Deer Creek, 3 

 miles from its mouth, can be seen for 25 miles down the river. Camp was on Deer 

 Creek ; plenty of wood, water! and grass ; bottom covered with sage-brush. At Glen- 

 dive the road leaves the bottom, and only again comes back to it above Tongue River. 

 This is a new route, which was laid out by direction of Colonel Miles during the win- 

 ter of 1876 and 1877. The next camp was made on Clear Creek (20.22 miles). The 

 road was very good, leading jbver a rolling prairie, the ravines being crossed without 

 difficulty. Drift-wood wasiound in small quantities; watet and grass abundant. 



On the 28th, marched 21.66 miles to East Fork of Cedar Creek. The country was 

 much more broken, and in wet weather the road is difficult, especially on the ap- 

 proaches to the east fork of Cedar, which is covered by ''bad lands." The approach 

 to Bad Route Creek is bad, having to pass through three-fourths mile of alkali flat. 



On tin; 29th, marched 11.75 miles to Cedar Creek, where Lieutenant Casey, of Colo- 

 nel Miles's staff, met the command, with orders to remain in camp to awail further 

 instructions. The command remained here in camp until Juno 19, moving every lew 

 days for grass. Wood was plenty, and running water. The cam]) was made 15 miles 

 above the mouth of Cedar Creek, a supply depot being established at its mouth, from 

 which the command was rationed. All the small streams making into the Yellowstone 

 in this vicinity are dry except during the wet season, for which there are tworea- 



