APPENDIX Q Q. 1673 



from camp; water and grass plenty. On the 4th the march wns continued np the, 

 Missouri River to Painted Woods Creek, a distance of 12.72 miles. The road is very 

 bad where i1 descends from the upper table to the river-bottom ; the crossings to the 

 small streams were very difficult on account of a heavy rain and hail storm which fell 

 during the day. Woo.!, water, and grass abundant at camp. Fifth, marched up Mis- 

 souri 21.6 miles to Dry Coulee, the road Leading along the firsl table above the 

 river-bottom and is very good with the exception of small stream- making into main 

 river. These streams are all alkaline, and unless bridged are very difficull to cross 

 with wagons, and sometimes dangerous for horses. After crossing Turtle Creek, 

 passed to high grounds. It was necessary to haul wood for this cam]) from hist point 

 where the road Leaves the bottom; plenty of water and grass. 



On the 6th, ma relied to Snake ( 'reck. 18.7 miles, passing from the high lands to bottom. 



The road is very good at all seasons of the year, there being- but one bad Crossing, at 

 Wolf Creek. Drift-wood is obtained here, which is deposited each yearwhen the Mis- 

 souri River falls ; grass tolerable. Snake Creek empties into Missouri (i miles below 

 Fort Stevenson, 1 mile beyond whichpost the command camped the next day. on Douglas 

 Creek. Remained in cam]) the 8th for the purpose of obtaining supplies. Moved from 

 Fort Stevenson on the 9th, camping at Berthold Agency that night. This agency is 

 situated on the banks of the Missouri, 14 miles above Fort Stevenson. It is the agency 

 for the Arickarees and a portion of the Gros Ventres. In the bottom-land just above 

 the agency they have a corn and potato field which is tilled by the squaws. Potatoes 

 yield bountifully, and a ready market is found for them at the agency. They are 

 bought by steamboats and passing commands. The corn. is a short stubby growth 

 and the yield Light, but is a favorite diet with these Indians, so that they are careful 

 of its cultivation. The road leads along the higher ground, and is very good with the 

 exception of about 2 miles which passes through a strip of '-bad land." The grass at 

 the agency is kept continually eaten off by the herds belonging to these Indians. 

 Wood is scarce. From Berthold Agency the command marched on the 10th to L'eau 

 qui Monte (25.81 miles). Six miles above the agency the road leaves the bottom and 

 leads to the high grounds, over which it is always good. Cone Butte (bearing 90°-94 c ) 

 lies close to where the Little Missouri joins the main stream. The river on the north 

 side makes a steep cut in the bank, and there is scarcely any bottom along there on the • 

 north side. It was found necessary to haul wood 12 miles for this night's camp. Grass 

 very fine, and running water. On the 11th marched to Shell Creek (12.58 miles). En- 

 tered the imier bottom 3 miles from camp, about a mile below the Narrows (local name, 

 the Slide). This slide was caused by the river washing under the bank for some dis- 

 tance, the lands afterwards caving in. 



The bottom for 3 miles is very bad, and there was considerable difficulty in getting 

 the train through. It was necessary to bridge once and lay about a hundred yards of 

 brash-corduroy besides. Sully's Lake is located at the upper end of the bottom, at 

 which point the road leaves the bottom, from here on being very good. 



Shell Creek is a bold, swift little stream, containing large numbers of small white 

 fish. Wood was hauled from the bottom near the Slide; grass plenty. On the 12th it 

 was found necessary to make a detour to the south in order to avoid an alkali flat over 

 which the main trail led. This was rendered impassable by recent rains. By going 4 

 miles down Shell Creek a good crossing Avas found, and after this crossing the trail led 

 to a divide, along which a good road was found for 18 miles Avhere it came to the main 

 road. This is about 4 miles longer, but in wet weather the only practicable route. 

 Camp was made at the mouth of Knipe River (22.36 miles), which is a dull, sluggish 

 alkali stream, not fordable, but its steep-cut banks and narrow channel make it easy 

 to bridge. Wood, water, and grass plentiful. The 13th, inarched up river-bottom to 

 Grinnell's wood-yard (18.67 miles). The road along the bottom is very bad in wet 

 weather, the small streams being difficult to cross. The road passes along foot of bluffs 

 after crossing White Earth Creek for 7 miles. The crossing at White Earth Creek is 

 very bad and approaches steep. Timber is convenient for corduroying, which was 

 done and the train passed over in two hours. On the 14th the road continued along 

 the river-bottom fori* miles, when it leads to high grounds. The bottom part of this 

 road is difficult in wet weatber: one alkali stream, 4 miles from camp, bad to be bridged; 

 material half a mile distant. Camp was made at Tobacco Garden (13.80 miles), SO 

 called from the appearance of the leaves on the bushes after frost in the fall. Plenty 

 of wood, water, and grass. At Tobacco Garden the road leaves the river-bottom, and 

 does not again approach it until within about 8 miles of Fort Buford. 



On the 15th cam]) was made on Stony Creek (22.22 miles). The country is undu- 

 lating and road is good at all seasons of the year: the crossings are till good, occasion- 

 ing no delay to the train. 



On the 16th the command marched (18.35 miles) to a point on the Missouri River 

 8 miles below Fort Buford. Crossed Big Muddy 3 miles from camp, the stream at this 

 point having a good gravel-bed, making crossing very good. The road from this point 

 is over a level prairie, and very good. Crossed a small creek at cam]) which it was 

 necessary to corduroy with material close by. Wood, water, and grass plenty. 



