30 



AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 



August 27. We then struck across to the Yellowstone along the divide 

 between Big Porcupine and Little Porcupine Creeks, reaching the Yellow- 

 stone River at the mouth of the Little Porcupine, a little above the mouth 

 of Tongue River. Here we struck our outward trail, which we retraced to 

 Camp Thorne, where we arrived September 7, and later, over the same trail 

 proceeded to Fort Rice, our starting-point. 



The daily routine of the march was usually as follows: Reveille at 

 3 a. m.; breakfast at 3.30; tents struck at 5; marching at 5.30; with 

 variations to earlier or later according to special exigencies. The head of 

 the column usually made camp at from 12.30 to 3 p. m.; when delayed by 

 bridging streams or road-making, camping was delayed till 4.30 or later — 

 once till 6.40 and once till 7.30, after a day's march of ten, twelve, or even 

 fourteen hours. The daily distance ranged from eight to twenty miles, 

 according to the amount of delay incident to bad roads. 



Field observations and collecting were usually restricted to the line of 

 march, and the preparation of specimens to the daylight hours in camp. 

 The weeks spent in camp at Fort Rice and Camp Thorne, and the delays at 

 the crossing of the Big Muddy, the Little Missouri, and at a few other points, 

 were utilized to the utmost by Mr. Bennett and myself for the increase of 

 our collections. But parts of the journey were less favorable, owing to 

 Indian trouble. Indians were first seen watching us from neighboring 

 bluffs near the mouth of Powder River; they soon became bolder and were 

 seen daily, when orders were given forbidding straying from the line of 

 march, or the use of firearms without permission from the commanding; 

 officer. This compelled us to abandon bird collecting and side excursions 

 for several weeks. The first attack upon the Expedition by the Indians 

 was an attempt by them to ambush the advance guard of cavalry, while 

 resting at midday some miles in advance of the main column, about twenty 

 miles above Tongue River. Here General Custer, with seventy men, had 

 a four hour battle with about 300 Indians on August 3, finally charging 

 and dispersing them. But while the battle was in progress a part of the 

 hostile band, hovering along the left flank of our main command, suc- 

 ceeded in killing several of our stragglers, including the veterinary surgeon, 

 the sutler, and a cavalryman. During the fight General Custer had one 

 private wounded and several horses killed and others wounded. The 

 extent of the casualties of the Indians was not ascertained, but at least 

 two were killed and several wounded. Two days later an Indian alarm 

 caused General Stanley to halt and park the train, in preparation for an 

 attack, but the precaution proved to have been unnecessary. Indians were 

 seen, however, in the bluffs on the east bank of the river, and a few shots 

 were fired at them from our six-pounders, which effectively dispersed them. 



