Post by herosrest on Dec 8, 2018 12:18:57 GMT -6
Ducemus
Report of sergeant James E. Wilson,
battalion of engineers.
Headquarters Department of Dakota,
Chief Engineer's Office,
Saint Paul, Minn., January 3, 1877.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report:
In obedience to orders received from you iu the field, I remained on the steamer Far West during its trip up the Big Horn River, for the purpose of making a boat survey, and collecting information in regard to the nature of that stream and the adjacent country.
June 24. — Immediately after the departure of General Terry and staff, at 6.30 p. m., the boat moved up a short distance and wooded, after which it crossed over and tied up on the left bank of the Yellowstone River. Two Indian curs were seen this evening in close proximity, but were not molested.
The escort commanded by Capt. S. Baker and First Lieut. J. Carland, Sixth Infantry, was composed as follows: Company B, Sixth Infantry, to which were attached some soldiers left in charge of property belonging to the absent portion of the command. A few sick men, in charge of Hospital Steward Dale, occupied the rear portion of the cabin-deck. These with first-class private Thomas Culligan and myself of the engineer detachment made up the total commissioned and enlisted on board. The whole fighting force, including the armed civilians on board, did not exceed 60 men.
June 25. — At 12 m. the boat moved up the Yellowstone, and at 12.35 p.m. reached the month of the Big Horn. The country on the right bank of the Yellowstone at this point is quite level for a considerable distance, and thickly timbered with Cottonwood. The Big Horn is about 150 yards wide at its month, with a depth of from 3 to 8 feet. Tullock's Fork enters the Big Horn on its right bank, about 4 miles from its month.
Reached Josephine Island at 4.50 p.m. It is well timbered, and about three-fourths of a mile long, and situated about 12 miles from the mouth of the river. The river at a point about a mile above Josephine Island spreads out to a width of 500 or 600 yards, causing a shallow channel. The current is swift, and the bed of the river studded with numerous islands and sand-bars. After a travel of 15 miles the first creek entering the Big Horn on its left bank was reached. About one mile further on the boat tied up, at 8.30 p.m., on the left bank.
The current of the Big Horn is much swifter than that of the Yellowstone, with a depth varying from 3 to 8 feet; 5 feet of water at Josephine Island. Rapid water was encountered on two occasions during the day's travel. The country as we advance becomes richer, the hills on the right bank close gradually in, and the left bank is low, thickly timbered, and well grassed. Game appeared to be abundant in the valley, as we saw a herd of 8 elk on the right bank in the afternoon. Passed many old Indian encampments. Heavy rain fell during the night. Pine timber was obtained at the point where the boat was tied up. Maximum thermometer, 91°; minimum thermometer, 63°. Bearings were taken by prismatic compass; the rate of the boat carefully noted whenever a change was observed, and at intervals not greater than 10 minutes. Whenever rapids were encountered the distance to the end of the course was estimated. Readings of the barometer and thermometer were taken each day. Mean solar chronometer 136,2, Arnold and Dent furnished the time. The means used to ascertain the rate of the boat were as follows: By selecting two objects near the river immediately in line, and keeping them in line by walking toward the stern of the boat, the rate of the walk determined the rate of the boat.
June 26.—Started at 3.30 a.m. Two hours later reached a creek entering the Big Horn on its right bank, and a short distance further on we encountered the first rapids. Here a long delay was occasioned. At 1 p.m. the hills on the right bank closed in up to the water's edge, rising to a height of 150 feet, and in some places to 200 feet. The river valley on the left bank still low and thickly timbered with Cottonwood, the hills on the right sparsely timbered with pine. Passed General Terry's camp, of June 25, at 9.30 a.m.; fires still smoldering. Tied up on the west side of a large island near the right bank at 9 p.m., after an estimated travel of 29 miles. The day was beautiful and clear, and the country passed through extremely rich and fertile. No game, however, was seen today. The Big Horn Mountains were in view about 75 miles to the south and towering to the clouds. As we ascended the river the channel became narrower and deeper and more easily navigated. The ridge of hills ou the right bank extended for a distance of 8 miles. They are all washed and of a dark color; bare and destitute of any vegetation, excepting some small quantities of pine in the canons and ravines. At 8 p.m. the clouds toward the west looked dark and threatening, but. they soon cleared away. Maximum thermometer, 70°; minimum thermometer, 60c.
Rapid water was encountered many times. Old Indian encampments were met with at nearly every bend of the river. Concerning the fertility of this region, Mr. Hull, an experienced western farmer, stated that he would rather have a farm on the Big Horn River than any other place he knew of. Mr. Hall was on board the Far West during the trip, and the further the boat ascended the more profuse was he in his praises of the country.
June 27. — Boat started at 3.39 a.m., but at 6 a.m. very little had been accomplished, owing to the shallowness of the channel and swiftness of the current. Two chutes were tried without success. An ascent of the third was, however, accomplished after considerable trouble and delay. A little further on the site of Fort C. F. Smith became visible about 35 miles distant. The second ridge of high hills on the right bank was reached at 9 a.m., rising to a greater height, but bearing the same appearance, except that this ridge is more broken, and two of its peaks rise to a height of fully 300 feet above the water's edge. Mountain-sheep, 15 in number, were seen on this ridge. Ridge about 3 miles long. The valley on the left bank bears the same rich, park-like appearance, the scenery splendid, and the river studded with large, beautiful, heavily-timbered islands.
A short distance above the southern extremity of the second ridge, the Little Big Horn River enters the Big Horn on its right bank. This point was reached at 10 a.m. The valley of the Little Big Horn is well timbered, and about H miles wide at this point. Near the mouth of the stream are many dangerous quagmires. A delay of two hours was experienced here while Captain Baker and his company proceeded to the summit of the ridge of bluffs on the south side of the Little Big Horn Valley for the purpose of reconnoitering. Started at 12.35 p.m., and continued up the Big Horn River; travel slow and very difficult, and the water very rapid.
About 2.30 p.m. the third ridge of hills ou the right bank was reached, bearing the same appearance as the others and of the same height as the second ridge. Allowing the river to be about 3,300 feet above sea-level, then the respective altitudes of the three ridges would be 3,500, 3,600 and 3,600 feet. This is a rough estimate, but I think an approximate one. Above the upper ridge the river-channel becomes wider and much cut up with small islands. At 5.30 p.m. Sitting Bull's Rapids were reached, and one hour occupied in ascending them. Very soon afterward a series of rapids were encountered, extending in quick succession a distance of fully 3 miles, over which it was found impossible to force a passage. The boat accordingly dropped to the foot of these rapids and tied up on the right bank at 8.30 p.m., after an estimated travel of 21 miles. Total estimated distance from the mouth of the Big Horn River about 66 miles.
From Sitting Bull's Rapids the hills on the right bank wheel sharply away from the river, and from our present camping-place a good view on both sides is obtainable. Elk abound in this part of the country, their favorite resorts being the grassy and well-shaded islands along the river. During the day's travel, similar features to those of yesterday presented themselves. Maximum thermometer, 76°; minimum thermometer, 63°.
June 28. — The ascension of the rapids was again tried this morning but without success, and consequently the further navigation of the river was abandoned. The passage back to the mouth of the Little Big Horn was made in a very short time, the current forcing the boat right around so that the stern led the way on many occasions, and the downward run accomplished in a whirling, revolving manner, by reason of which the boat must have sustained considerable damage. Remained at the mouth of the Little Big Horn all day.
An Indian scout named "Curley"1 (known to have been with General Custer) arrived about noon with information of a battle, but there being no interpreter on board very little reliable information was obtained. He wore an exceedingly dejected countenance, but his appetite proved to be in first-rate order. Elk and deer killed here. Good fishing.
June 29. — Three scouts arrived during the day with the news of the disastrous battle of the Little Big Horn. The Far West was immediately barricaded, and preparations made to receive the wounded on board. At 10 p.m. the van of General Terry's command arrived. The main column with the wounded did not arrive until 1 a.m., June 30.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
James E. Wilson,
Sergeant of Engineers.
Lieut. E. Maguire,
Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., Chief Engineer Department of Dakota.
