UAB6 
 
 1870
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 ROBERT ERNEST COWAN
 
 (-**} 
 
 41ST COX<;IM:SS, 
 3d tieMion. 
 
 - 
 
 LETTER 
 
 THE SECRETARY OF WAR, 
 
 ( OM.MCMCATIM; 
 
 In compliance icith the resolution of the ticnat<> of June 13, 1870, a copy of 
 the report of Lieutenant Colonel /Samuel 7>. Ifolabird, of a reconnaissance 
 made by Mm in the Department of Dakota, in 1800. 
 
 DECEMBER 31. 18/0. Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. 
 
 1 
 
 , _ _ 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, 
 
 December 20, 1870. 
 
 The Secretary of War, in obedience to the resolution of June 13, 1870, 
 has the honor to submit to the Senate of the United States a copy of 
 the report of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel B. Holabird, chief quarter- 
 master of the Department of Dakota, of a reconuoissance made by him 
 us in his department in the year 1869, with accompanying maps. 
 g WM. W. BELKXAP, 
 
 *" Secretary of War. 
 
 9 
 
 S DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, 
 sg Saint Paul, Minn., October la, 18G9. 
 
 ^ GENERAL: In obedience to instructions from the department coni- 
 Snander, I have the honor to report upon the result of my inspection as 
 follows : 
 
 FORT ELLIS. 
 
 Fort Ellis is situated in the valley of the East Gallatin, seventy miles 
 northeast of Virginia City, one hundred and three miles a little east of 
 south from Helena, and twenty-five miles from the Yellowstone River 
 by the road. The forks of the Missouri, where the great river itself is 
 formed, is forty miles distant. A range of mountains running first north 
 and south, and then throwing off spurs to the eastward, separates the 
 valleys of the streams, forming the Missouri River from the Yellow- 
 stone and its tributaries. Through these mountains there are but few 
 passes, and this post is placed with the view of closing at least two of 
 them, and affecting as far as may be the third and last one. 
 
 The valley in which the post is built is very fertile, and is fast filling 
 with settlements. A promising town, Bozemah, is growing up within three 
 miles of the post below it. Upon either side of the valley, the hills, or 
 mountains they may be termed, rise to a considerable height, although 
 some of them are rounded and grassy to their tops. These broken, 
 
 1 | oooo
 
 2 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 mound-like ranges add irreat beauty and variety to the scenery of the 
 valley. The East Gallatiu, a stream of clear cold water, with small 
 tributaries of cold water, flows within a thousand feet of the post, over 
 auriferous gravel about the post, and through a rich bottom land just 
 below it. where are located the post gardens, which 'produce abundant 
 vegetables. Extensive pine forests, furnishing tine logs for lumber. 
 exist within twelve miles of the post. Sufficient wood for fuel is found 
 within a radius of from four to six miles. Large coal beds of easy access 
 are found within four miles of the post, which furnish a light, lustrous 
 coal, suitable for fuel and for use in blacksmiths' forges. This coal can 
 be mined and delivered at a cost of 86 or $8 per ton, and after a while 
 perhaps at lower rates. Limestone is found convenient in sufficient 
 quantities for all practical purposes, (.'lay for brick and adobes, and 
 sharp sand for mortar, gravel, &c., abound. 
 
 The buildings are roughly constructed of pine logs laid upon each 
 other or "filled in-between vertical posts horizontally, spaces being 
 left for doors and windows. The interspaces between the logs are irreg- 
 ularly tilled with mortar. The rooms are finished with panel doors and 
 pine casing, baseboards, &c. Strong ceiling joists are laid or built in 
 above each room, rough boards are laid upon them, and these boards 
 are covered with a layer of several inches of rammed earth to give 
 warmth to the building by taking the place of ceiling. The roofs are 
 of short slips of boards laid on in the manner of shingles, but with about 
 twice the length of a shingle exposed, forming an imperfect covering. 
 One of the officers' quarters is regularly shingled with pine shingles, 
 forming a perfect roof. Little attention has thus far been paid to ven- 
 tilation, and orders had to be given to ventilate the storehouses and 
 stables. 
 
 Storeage cannot be said to be abundant, although it may answer the 
 present wants of the post. A good granary building is constructed 
 outside, near the stables and corral. The stables are of logs covered 
 with earth, and lack feed-troughs, hay-racks, and many other devices 
 to economize the public forage. 
 
 It is the general judgment of all intelligent persons that a better site 
 for a post exists but a short distance from the present one, upon higher 
 ground. Fort Ellis is contracted in the arrangement of the quarters, 
 and is inclosed closely by an unnecessarily high stockade, excluding the 
 air, and making the place seem more like a prison than a military post. 
 Much of this stockade w ill have to be thrown down in the future enlarge- 
 ment and use of the post. For the disposition of the buildings, &c., see 
 plan herewith. Good water, as already mentioned, runs within a thou- 
 sand feet of the post. 
 
 Forage. Grain and hay are both procured by contract. Grain ought 
 to cost not over 5 cents per pound, and hay about *15 per ton. Mis- 
 cellaneous articles purchased in the country cost from 300 to 500 per 
 cent, above Chicago and St. Louis prices. 
 
 Captain Constable, assistant quartermaster L^uited States Army, act- 
 ing under the instructions of the district commander, Lieutenant Colo- 
 nel George L. Andrews, purchased without advertising, and of course 
 without competition, 500,000 pounds of grain, at 10 cents per pound ; 
 and 300 tons of hay, at $32 50 per ton. Only 300,000 pounds of grain 
 were delivered. In my opinion, this purchase was a very bad one, and 
 indicates that little discretion in such matters can safely be given to 
 officers generally. There was sufficient time to advertise". A contract 
 was made immediately after for 1,000,000 pounds of grain, to be deliv- 
 ered at Ellis, at an average rate of four cents two and one-tenth mills
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 6 
 
 per pound, and 125 tons of hay, at $16 74 per ton. The hay purchased 
 by Captain Constable was old hay left over from last year. A contract 
 for 1,000 cords of wood, at $6 72 per cord, was also made by this officer 
 for the current fiscal year. Authority was given by the department 
 commander to purchase coal for blacksmiths' use and for trial for fuel. 
 
 The cost of civilian labor the last year, including hire of mule and ox 
 teams, has-been $24,782 13; of enlisted labor, $1,781 10. Cost of post 
 for labor and building materials last year, $35,261 23. Employe's now 
 authorized: 1 clerk, at $125; 6 carpenters, at $75; 1 blacksmith, at 
 $75; 1 guide, at $75; 1 engineer, at $125. Number of extra duty men. 
 at this date, 16 ; number of mules, 53 ; of organized teams, 7. Four 
 more were ordered to the post. Number of horses in good condition, 
 63 ; quartermaster's funds transferred the past year to the quartermas- 
 ter, $9,500. 
 
 The best route of supply for this post during the season of navigation 
 will be via the Muscleshell River. At present the hauling is done from 
 Fort Ben ton, distance as follows : 
 
 Miles. 
 
 From Fort Benton to Helena 140 
 
 From Helena to Fort Ellis . . ... 103 
 
 Total 243 
 
 Direct, without going to Helena. ... 241 
 
 To supply this post via the Pacific Railroad would give hauling 
 
 from Corrine, upon the Union Pacific Railroad, to Virginia City . . 330 
 From Virginia City to Fort Ellis 70 
 
 Total . ... 400 
 
 The hauling by ox teams over the road would cost $1 25 per 100 
 pounds per 100 miles in the best season, and $1 50 per 100 pounds per 
 100 miles with horse or mule teams. From Bentou to Ellis, in the haul- 
 ing season, by present contract, the price per 100 pounds per 100 miles 
 is $1 58. 
 
 No other buildings than those now authorized are recommended to 
 be constructed at Fort Ellis, for the reason that these will suffice for the 
 present. The country is settling so rapidly that the post will be of 
 little use except as a depot to collect supplies, and one company will be 
 a sufficient guard in such case. 
 
 It is of the first importance to occupy the country between the Yel- 
 lowstone and the Missouri, entirely inclosed by those rivers, except over 
 a space of from fifteen to twenty-five miles. Across this country a road 
 to Helena from below Grande Island shoal in the Missouri, and above 
 the Muscleshell, is required ; and this road will have to be protected at 
 or near its starting point on the Missouri, and probably wherever it 
 forks for the Gallatin Valley. 
 
 A post in the valley of the Yellowstone will draw settlements east- 
 ward into this country, and be of use in opening up the country, and 
 will effectually put an end to the discussion in regard to the Flathead, 
 Bridger's, and the other passes into the Gallatin Valley, by closing them 
 to the Indians. 
 
 FORT SHAW 
 
 is situated in the valley of Sun River, called the Medicine by Lewis and
 
 4 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 Clarke, about fifteen miles from the Missouri in a direct line, and about 
 fifty miles from Cadotte's Pass, directly west of it through the Rocky 
 Mountains. It is forty-five miles from the Indian agency upon the 
 Teton. and about four miles from the Sun River erossing of the main 
 road from P.enton to Helena, sixty miles from IJcnton and eighty miles 
 from Helena. 
 
 This post was established to shut out Indians crossing from the west- 
 ward and north ward, and since it was established the country has filled 
 up with settlers below the post on the Sun River to a considerable 
 extent. The valley of Sun River is wide, flat, and well covered with 
 grass. The soil is alkaline. The Sun River is a clear stream of cold 
 water, not pure, but having considerable alkali in it. It answers very 
 well for use. Wood is better than has been represented heretofore by 
 the local quartermaster, and ought never to cost over 89 per cord. 
 Hay depends upon the season, and will generally cost about 620 per 
 ton. 
 
 The quarters at this post are well planned for temporary buildings. 
 The officers' quarters are more highly finished than is necessary. There 
 have been faults in construction, as follows : The ceilings, joists, and 
 roof timbers were made too light for the load placed upon them, and all 
 have settled out of shape, and in some instances the timbers have given 
 way. One entire building, marked on the plan H, with tongued and 
 grooved flooring, is used for offices, by a kind of multiplication, of dis- 
 trict, post, &c., offices. Much of this building, by confining the offices 
 to the regulation allowance, might be used for storage or for quarters. 
 A baud has separate quarters, although no band is allowed by law. 
 The prison-room, so much required, and to finish which lime was pur- 
 chased, (see Captain Constable's report upon lime purchased,) is unfin- 
 ished. The granary is unfinished. Considerable lumber is on hand how 
 much was not known. It is a practice at all the posts to take up and 
 account for nothing made at the post. Therefore entire posts are built by 
 mechanics, civilians, and enlisted labor, and the use of steam-mills, and 
 no record of the material manufactured nor of the work done is kept. 
 This is all objectionable, as no opinion can be formed of the result eco- 
 nomically, and no supervision can be exercised. The Government has 
 no record of value received for its labor that is hired and paid for. No 
 intelligent opinion can be formed upon estimates for building material or 
 upon demands for additional civilian labor. 
 
 Fuel. There were on hand 965 cords of wood by measurement, some 
 300 cords not being on the returns. (Here it may be remarked that 
 there seems to be a disposition to accumulate a surplus at posts even 
 where such surplus cannot be made available, for the benefit of con- 
 tractors and those in league with them. Fuel and forage never issued 
 or fed is constantly returned for, and in this there is constant violation 
 of the regulations at most of the posts.) There is a contract with J. B. 
 Hubbell for 2,000 cords of wood for the use of this post, at $8 98 per 
 cord ; this wood was being delivered. The wood at the post was found 
 to be of as good quality as at the other posts on the Missouri River, and 
 in this particular the previous reports of Captain N. S. Constable upon 
 this subject were found to be in a manner inaccurate. 
 
 Forage. There was represented to be on hand 135,660 pounds of corn, 
 and 9,955 pounds of oats ; but from an inspection there was manifestly 
 a large surplus not upon the accounts ; this was ordered to be taken up, 
 and the grain to be delivered by the contractor was ordered to be put 
 for inspection of the board in a separate building until it had been in- 
 spected and weighed. There is a contract for 1,000,000 of pounds of
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 5 
 
 grain, at an average rate of five cents five and one quarter mills per 
 pound, to be delivered at this post, and a contract with E. W. Sims for 
 400 tons of hay, at $16 75 per ton. Mr. Sims seemed to be opposed 
 strongly by the post authorities, and has since thrown up his contract. 
 Hay only is required for a few months in winter, and the few animals 
 kept in stable at times; for the grazing is abundant, and near the post, 
 and there is no pretext for a constant and general issue of hay which is 
 not fed out. 
 
 Straw. Hay is used in lieu of stra w. 
 
 Stationery is furnished from the depot in St. Louis. 
 
 Building material. Stone in abundance, of good quality, easy to dress, 
 it being a soft sandstone, is found at a distance of three miles. It is rep- 
 resented that there is no good limestone nearer than Helena. This 
 matter ought to be investigated further. 
 
 Adobes are used for the quarters, which will have to be stuccoed or 
 clapboarded eventually. Bricks may be readily manufactured for 
 chimneys. The lime is purchased and hauled from Helena at a cost of 
 4 or 5 cents per pound; sharp sand is abundant. Coal, for blacksmith's 
 use, and possibly for fuel, is reported to exist from nine to fifteen miles 
 from the post, upon the Dearborn River. This subject has, as yet, 
 received no attention at Fort Shaw. Examinations for coal ought to be 
 made. 
 
 Clothing and camp and garrison equipage are abundant, and well 
 cared for. 
 
 Tools and miscellaneous property in excessive abundance, as was 
 found to be the case at every post, especially iron. The property of this 
 kind comes from St. Louis, and all received this year was uniformly re- 
 ported to be of good quality and received in good order. Heating and 
 cook-stoves have been required at all the posts, much in excess of their 
 wants, and are of good pattern, and received in good order. 
 
 There was a fine saw-mill at this post, which was ordered to Fort Ellis, 
 to saw into lumber the 2,000 logs at that post. The mill at Camp Cooke 
 was ordered to Fort Shaw to cut the logs 200,000 feet authorized to 
 finish the hospital, granary, guard-house, &c. There were author- 
 ized the following mechanics: 1 engineer and sawyer, at $125; 5 plas- 
 terers, (for three months only,) $130; 1 blacksmith, $100; 7 carpenters, 1 
 at $125, and 6 at $90; 1 guide and interpreter, at from $75 to $100; 1 
 chief clerk and general superintendent, at $150; 1 clerk, post, at $100. 
 Number of extra-duty men, 24 ; number of horses, 102 ; number of mules, 
 70 ; number of organized teams, 11. Four teams were ordered to Fort 
 Ellis for the use of the cavalry at that post, bringing the number of 
 teams for Ellis to 11. Total cost of this post since it was established, 
 $187,013 49. 
 
 This post is supplied from Fort Benton by river to Benton, and sixty 
 miles of hauling. The hauling costs at the rate of $1 70 per one hun- 
 dred miles per 100 pounds. 
 
 A company is required at Benton every summer to attend to and 
 guard the stores for Shaw and Ellis. The property was not removed as 
 promptly as it ought to have been from the landing. 
 
 At Benton orders were issued giving Brevet Major Torry, the officer 
 stationed at Benton, control in this matter so as to correct it. A store- 
 house is needed at Benton, if the stores are to be sent that way, or any 
 part of them. Old Fort Benton would answer this purpose, and can be 
 obtained for that purpose. 
 
 Something of a force will be required at Fort Shaw for some time 
 longer, as it is near the Blackfeet reservation, and until a road is opened
 
 6 RECONNOISSAXCE IX THK DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 to Muscleshell. This post is upon the main road of supply for the whole 
 of Montana. A force of one company is also required at Fort Benton 
 to cover and protect the same line. 
 
 Ellis and Shaw have been of great value to Montana. Had the troops 
 at Camp Cooke been placed at Benton, they also would have been of 
 ice. Hid away at the mouth of the Judith, in a pocket as it wei v. 
 tlu-y were practically wasted and out of the zone of any influence what 
 ever, except as holding a point on the Missouri, fifteen miles from the 
 \\ui>t rapids on it, (Dauphin's.) 
 
 In connection with and bearing upon the position of Fort Shaw, it 
 should be mentioned that the principal Indian crossing for the Black- 
 tee t Indians is Fort Benton, or in front of its main street; the Indians 
 cross there and go up the Missouri, above the mouth of Sun River, and 
 again cross the Missouri to attack the settlements or continue on to the 
 passes into the Gallatiu Valley ; hence the necessity of the troops at 
 both Shaw and Benton until the district of country south of the Mis- 
 souri and north of the Yellowstone is cleared out and occupied. 
 
 FORT BEATON AXD BENTON CITY. 
 
 This place consists of the Northwestern Fur Company, post of Fort 
 Benton, and of a town that has grown up just above it, upon the same 
 bottom lands. At this point the goods brought up the Missouri are 
 landed, and the business done here is, most of it, that of forwarding 
 and transportation. In seasons when the river is low, boats land their 
 cargoes on the left bank belqw, whence they are hauled in wagons to 
 Benton, principally from Cofo Island, a distance from Beuton, by land, 
 set down at one hundred and sixty miles. There are no roads on the 
 west and south sides of the Missouri, as the country is broken and for- 
 bidding, and the bl lifts render it nearly impossible to descend to the river 
 bank. Upon the north side there is a fine prairie road to mouth of 
 Milk River and to Fort Buford; total distance to Buford three hundred 
 and eighty miles. To mouth of Milk Kiver, two hundred and fifty miles, 
 through a fine country, so far as grass and water are regarded, but in- 
 fested with Indians the entire distance. Late in the season it has some- 
 times been necessary to haul from the mouth of Milk Kiver. However, 
 at this time, the river is opening a new channel for itself, partially 
 avoiding the bar formed by that river. About four, and again at twelve 
 miles by land below Benton, are bad places where vessels frequently 
 unload, their goods being hauled by land. The hauling contractor, Mr. 
 Steell, has his place of business at Beuton, and, beside the Government 
 hauling, does much private work, especially that for steamers in dis- 
 tress that are obliged to unload a portion of all their cargo 
 
 It will be of vast importance to the navigation of the Missouri to have 
 a road opened somewhere from about Fort Hawley, across to Helena and 
 Virginia City. There are about seven hundred people in the town of 
 Beuton, many of them leaving in winter. 
 
 No measures had been taken to secure a reservation for the Govern- 
 ment, and we found the Government landing used in 18G7 fenced in by 
 a squatter, who had run a fence to coverall the landing room from above 
 the town to the bl lifts above the bottom, and now desired rent for the 
 privilege of a company encamping within his grounds; a heavy claim is 
 being nursed into existence in this manner, and the sooner the United 
 States secures a storehouse and landing of its own, the better. It would 
 be well, if it is practicable, to require future contractors to hold and pro- 
 tect the freight until it isremoved. The difficulty at present is the strong
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 7 
 
 disposition to neglect the public freight so long as any private parties 
 offer. 
 
 There is a community of interest among the capitalists here that ena- 
 bles them to combine and have most things their own way in many re- 
 spects. The district commander and the officer having the guard here 
 must be held to a strict accountability, (as well as the quartermaster.) 
 The fur company will store, handle, &c., goods for the Government at 
 $2 50 per ton per year. The fort itself can be purchased, with all claim, 
 right, and title to'the land, for $15,000.* In my opinion, were $12,000 
 cash offered, it would at this time be accepted, owing to ill-feeling, com- 
 petition, &c., in the Indian trade. 
 
 At Fort Benton is one of the main crossings of hostile parties of Indians 
 going south to commit depredations; many Indians come from the Brit- 
 ish possessions to maraud; for this reason, one company ought to be 
 posted at Benton, and it is a question whether the United States would 
 not profit by having a post built on the Marias, northwest of Fort Ben- 
 ton, and supplied from that point, and as near the international boundary 
 as possible. Eventually one will be required upon the Milk River, to 
 control that valley; one upon Mouse River, &c. A post on the Marias, 
 seventy-five miles or so from Benton, would exercise great influence over 
 the British Indians that now come into our territory to hunt and maraud. 
 
 With a view of interpenetrating and opening the country south of the 
 Missouri, and to shorten existing roads, the department commander has 
 ordered explorations made from Benton south to the Missouri, crossing 
 at the Old Missouri, just above the mouth of Sun River, and some fifteen 
 miles from Fort Shaw, and also as far as the Gallatin Valley. 
 
 It is thought that some common point may be determined where a road 
 from the Missouri above the mouth of the Muscleshell will fork, and 
 send a branch to Bozeman, or Fort Ellis, to Helena, to Benton, and to 
 Shaw ; thus determining a point for a small infantry or other post that 
 shall cover them all. 
 
 Hay and wood are scarce at Benton. Hay can be cut on the Teton 
 and Marias, some twelve or fifteen miles distant, and costs now in small 
 quantities about $25 per ton. Wood costs $12 or $15 per cord, of an 
 inferior kind, principally willow. 
 
 Coal is used a good deal ; it is taken out of the river bank about forty- 
 five miles by land below Benton. It belongs to a lignite formation, 
 but answers for heating remarkably well ; it is used altogether in win- 
 ter by the employe's of the fur company at the post of Fort Bentou. 
 Fort Benton is fifty-six miles from the Sun River crossing, and called 
 sixty from Fort Shaw. It is forty-seven miles from the great falls of 
 Missouri, by the west side of the river, sixty miles by trail from Camp 
 Cooke, seventy miles by wagon road, (crossing the river,) and one hun- 
 dred and twenty miles by water. As already stated, it is one hundred 
 and sixty miles by land from Cow Island ; three hundred and eighty 
 miles by land from Fort Buford. 
 
 CAMP COOKE. 
 
 This unfortunate post is situated on the right bank of the river Mis- 
 souri, at the mouth of the Judith, upon a sage bottom, saturated with 
 alkali. It is entirely overrun with rats, and may be said to be in pro- 
 cess of demolition by them. The storehouses are in ruins ; they were 
 Avretchedly constructed in the first instance, and nothing since has been 
 done to remedy their short-comings. General neglect and indifference 
 
 * This fort should be purchased, but it requires a law to permit it.
 
 8 BECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 rharartcri/i' the post. The small garrison merely holds on in spite of 
 rats. Tin- Indians have moved away and left it alone. 
 
 The storehouse's are built in Mexican "jacal" fashion, by setting 
 small posts in the ground in juxtaposition, putting a plate upon the 
 top, with the logs and earth roof. The rats then burrow beneath the 
 ground, passing out and in between the posts, and climbing to the thick 
 dirt roof, which they channel, and move iu every direction. In this man 
 iier probably a hundred tons of grain have become destroyed, mixed 
 and intermixed with earth and rubbish, burrowed in and lived in until 
 nothing can eat it. Everything eatable in the storehouses is gnawed 
 and destroyed subsistence, &c. Had a storehouse been built at any 
 time, and set upon posts, so that dogs, cats, and men could get under 
 it, the rats would have left or have been destroyed. Colonel Otis did this 
 at Fort Eice, and thus preserved his stores and got rid of the rats. The 
 rats seem conscious of having the upper hand at Camp Cooke, and their 
 audacity is something that must be seen to be believed. Little idea can 
 be formed of what it costs the Government yearly to occupy this post 
 and feed these rats ; it would build a new post every two years. 
 
 A great deal of labor has been expended here upon company and 
 officers' quarters. A vast deal of property has also been accumulated 
 in the quartermaster department, especially iron, rope, spare parts for 
 wagons, tools, &c., ten times as much as ever could be used. 
 
 The grain has now been put in fresh houses, but the rats are in it, 
 and it will soon be going the way of the rest. Horses, mules, and oxen 
 are returned as drawing full allowance of grain, when some of them get 
 none. / Great carelessness and indifference exist in this matter. 
 
 The idea seems to be to make sure of a surplus by certifying off twice 
 as much as is used, and then let it take care of itself. Many of the 
 horses are worthless, and have been disposed of. The mules are superb. 
 It may be remarked that Montana is a marvelous country for all kinds 
 of cattle. Meat cattle, mules, and horses keep readily in fine condition, 
 and seem capable of greater exertion than elsewhere. Mules especially 
 are admirably suited to this country. 
 
 No wood is required at this post, there being sufficient for a year. 
 Some 50 tons of hay will be required ; this costs $44 50 per ton. It 
 has gradually been reduced from 110 per ton, the price paid by Lieu- 
 tenant Keeling the first season of its occupation, a price that requires 
 no comment. That officer has resigned. 
 
 If a post be built down the river, a good deal of the old property here 
 would pay to float down in flat-boats ; it is not worth expensive trans- 
 portation. 
 
 About three miles above Camp Cooke are " Drowned Man's" Eapids, 
 having sufficient water, but a current so swift that steamers cordelle up 
 over them. And fifteen miles down the river, by land, are Dauphin's 
 Eapids, upon which I have reported elsewhere. 
 
 Camp Cooke would be useful in furnishing a guard at these rapids 
 when Indians are troublesome, if it had enough men for such purposes. 
 After getting down to Cow Island, about fifty miles below Cooke, the 
 river changes and becomes better, so that boats find but little difficulty 
 to within twelve miles (Grande Island) of that place. From Grande 
 Island down, therefore, as far as the Muscleshell, some point ought to be 
 found for a road to leave the river direct for the settlement in Montana. 
 
 From Camp Cooke to Fort Buford, by the river, it is estimated to be 
 six hundred miles a bad part of the river, infested by inaurading In- 
 dians. This distance would seem to require a post intermediate, as already 
 mentioned. The river for a considerable distance runs through the
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 9 
 
 bad lauds, but it lias bordering it, in the concave of every bend, grassy 
 and timbered bottoms. The timber in this part of the river is all cot- 
 ton wood. Back upon the hills, and in the ravines at certain points until 
 below the Big Dry, a scrubby pine abounds. Civilians authorized: 1 
 blacksmith, at $100; 1 guide and interpreter, at $60. 
 
 FORT BUFORD. 
 
 This post stands on the left bank of the Missouri, about two and a 
 half miles from the site of the old trading post of Fort Union. The 
 Yellowstone River enters the Missouri a mile or more above and opposite 
 the post. A sketch of the surrounding country is submitted herewith. 
 This post is very well situated, but a growth of willow is tolerated too 
 near it, from which hostile Indians have killed or wounded persons at 
 the saw-mill and about the post. The garrison has never been sufficient 
 to overawe the Indians, and the post has ever been held in contempt 
 by the Sioux, who are friendly at posts below, where they are fed, but 
 come np to Buford to collect scalps. 
 
 Considerable work has been done at this post, but generally the labor 
 was not well directed. No assistance from outside has been given in 
 the way of lumber. Posts further down the river of less importance, 
 less exposed, are more fortunate than this. 
 
 The buildings are of adobe, with timber, brick, or stone supports in 
 the corners or elsewhere, and they are cracked and falling down ; all 
 are required to be more or less propped up. The stables are excellent, 
 but the grain is practically left out doors, being covered with old and 
 indifferent canvas. New officers' quarters are required here immedi- 
 ately, new storehouses, and eventually a new hospital and company 
 quarters. 
 
 It is believed that lime can be readily burned here. Stone is quarried 
 within three miles. Water is hauled in wagons from the river, about 
 two thousand feet. There is a well in the corral that is used for the 
 stock. Logs for building will require to be rafted down the Missouri or 
 Yellowstone some eighteen or twenty miles. There is a saw-mill here, 
 but no sawyer. A shingle machine is required to manufacture shingles 
 out of cotton wood. These shingles, laid double, answer tolerably for a 
 short time, There are at this post: 78 mules, in fine condition; 98 
 horses, (indifferent;) 5 employes. 
 
 Hay is difficult to procure; sufficient ought to be had in the Yellow- 
 stone bottom upon the opposite side of the river, were not the garrison 
 so small and the Indians so hostile. A contract has been made at $21 
 per ton ; also for three thousand cords of wood, at $9 40 per cord. None 
 but cottonwood can be obtained. Heretofore the wood has been pro- 
 cured by the troops ; so has the hay. 
 
 This post is reckoned one hundred and fifty miles by land from Fort 
 Stevenson. It is not seen how communication is to be kept up. If 
 soldiers could carry the mails, there is no doubt they would have to ex- 
 hibit and develop some extraordinary qualities, for they cannot leave 
 the post and get back again, except in strong parties; they cannot man- 
 age dog trains, and to horses the country in winter is impassable, as all 
 the ravines and hollows fill with snow to great depths. Civilians author- 
 ized : 1 carpenter, at $90 ; 1 sawyer and engineer, at $125 ; 1 guide 
 and interpreter, at $75; and 1 clerk, at $62 50. 
 
 FORT STEVENSON. 
 
 At this post nothing has practically been done this season. The grain 
 was in bad condition and somewhat neglected. The carpenters were
 
 10 KECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 engaged in putting porches and conveniences to some of the officers' 
 quarters. 
 
 A contract for half a million feet of lumber in the log was in great 
 part unnecessary, and, strange to say, when the logs began to be cut the 
 sawyer was sent away. A granary, however, is required, and a magazine. 
 
 If the stores for Fort Totten continue to be sent this way a large 
 storehouse will have to be built. There are two small saw-mills, that 
 have been entirely exposed a year or two to the weather, and can now 
 be worth little. The hay-scales sent here to weigh the hay contracted 
 for, and for other purposes, have never even been set up ; the plea made 
 was ignorance and want of suitable timber. In my opinion this was a 
 clear neglect, without sufficient excuse. 
 
 A prodigious quantity of pine lumber has been sent here this season ; 
 it is not required here and will be sent to Fort Buford. Altogether too 
 much iron was also sent. Not much reliance can be placed upon the 
 estimates, nor at all times upon the returns, from the manner of making 
 property surplus. 
 
 The officers' and soldiers' quarters, at this post are good, but being 
 made of adobe require stuccoing to save them. There was but one 
 plasterer at the post, whose time is about to expire. He has proved most 
 valuable, doing as much work as all the civilian plasterers, for instance, 
 at Fort Shaw. To induce him to stay two or three months, and thus 
 take his chances cf getting out of the country, $130 per mouth was 
 recommended. In order to save the buildings they must be plastered 
 on the exposed side. The hospital is large, but inconvenient. There 
 are fortunately few sick. The hospitals planned at the several posts 
 have many irregularities, and too often, like the quarters, serve to per- 
 petuate some individual peculiarity or views. 
 
 The river in front of this post is changing, a bar or bank is forming, 
 and the landing is gradually removing down the river. The same thing 
 holds at Forts Rice, Sully, and Randall. Much experience and skill are 
 required to get a post near a fixed landing. At Camp Cooke the land- 
 ing has moved up stream about three quarters of a mile. 
 
 Wood may be said to be scarce here, but a combustible lignite is 
 abundant; it falls to pieces or slacks very soon after drying, and for this 
 reason but little can be dug at a time. Some rascal has set the vein on 
 fire. This firing of these veins of coal and shale seems, from the ap- 
 pearance of the bluffs, common ; one was burning in the bluff at old 
 Fort Berthold. There is a contract for wood at $10 45 per cord for 800 
 cords. For coal at $6 per ton, for 1,200 tons ; and four hundred tons of 
 hay, at $17 95 per ton. 
 
 Hay this year is abundant at this post, inasmuch as abundant rains 
 have fallen both here and at Buford. The logs for this post are cut fif- 
 teen to thirty miles above, and are then rafted to the post and hauled 
 out at the mill. The logs are of cotton wood, but were large, fine, straight 
 ones. This contract was being vigorously carried out. There are 
 abundant miscellaneous stores, tools, &c., at this post. The wagons, 
 however, were good for nothing. The same held with regard to Rice 
 and Sully, at both posts there was not a wagon fit to take the field. 
 There were 47 horses and 63 mules in fair condition. The following 
 employes are allowed at this post: 1 clerk, at 125; 3 carpenters, at 
 $90; 1 blacksmith, at $90; 1 engineer, at $150; 1 interpreter and guide, 
 at $100; 1 plasterer for three months. 
 
 No efforts seem to have been made to explore the country, to measure 
 distances, or to gather information upon the usual subjects that would 
 be supposed to interest those whose business it is to occupy and hold a 
 country. Many of the officers were new, however, although not all.
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 11 
 
 The money actually paid out at and for this post makes it an expen- 
 sive one, but it may be said that it is a good one, and meets fairly the 
 end in view, perhaps as economically as is possible under this mode of 
 construction, when there is so great difference in the aptitude, intelli- 
 gence, experience, and resources of the officers. It may generally be 
 remarked that as we approach the sources of supplies, &c., the posts 
 improve in the character of their buildings. 
 
 FORT RICE. 
 
 Two years ago, when I inspected the several posts of the department, 
 Fort Rice was, perhaps, in about the worst condition, without omitting 
 any respect whatever. At that date it changed commanders, and the 
 change is most marvelous. In place of the old decayed buildings of 
 logs and earth, infested with rats, and with stores exposed to destruction 
 by tire and water, now there stands, instead, clean, dry, comfortable bar- 
 racks and storehouses, raised fro in the ground, ventilated, clap-boarded, 
 shingled, glazed, and in complete order. The stores are neatly arranged, 
 aired, and in perfect order. Company quarters for four companies are 
 finished as per annexed plan. A hospital, a quartermaster storehouse, 
 grain storehouse, clothing storehouse, a subsistence storehouse and cel- 
 lars ; and many Indian goods are stored, and all perfectly safe and dry. 
 A fine store-magazine, an ordnance store-room, bastions, so called, 
 (block-houses,) a secure stockade, guard-house, and offices, all very satis- 
 factory. 
 
 The officers' quarters are about finished, and are excellent buildings. 
 (See plan.) There still remain to be built stable and store-sheds in the 
 corral ; but such a commander, with a garrison disciplined and controlled 
 as is this one, will have no trouble in finishing his post, nor will there 
 be any outcry for assistance. 
 
 At no post in the department, in my judgment, have means been so 
 well adapted to ends, and labor so well directed. If it be ever a satis- 
 faction for men to labor it must be when each one can see that every 
 blow tells accurately as it was intended. The animals were in the usual 
 good working condition, and are well cared for. More teams were 
 needed, and three have been ordered up from Fort Sully. The hay 
 contractor had done little, and men will have to be hired to save hay 
 for the commissary cattle and for the horses. There is so much irregu- 
 larity in the mode of bidding that several months are wasted in getting 
 up through the "straw" bids, so that finally it shall reach a responsible 
 man. By the time it gets to him he has beard of its award to others, 
 has given over the business, and when notified finds it too late to get 
 men up the river. Such a difficulty has occurred at Rice and Sully and 
 Randall this year. 
 
 Some cisterns are needed at Fort Eice to hold water to guard against 
 fire and sudden attacks. A well here was tried during the war by a 
 Wisconsin regiment, and the water killed over a hundred men before 
 the cause of disease was fully determined. The well was filled up, not 
 even kept open for cases of fire. 
 
 A contract exists for wood now being delivered, at $5 70 per cord. 
 There are to be delivered 1,000 cords.* 
 
 * Note on ivoocl contract*. One Captain George W. Hill, succeeding temporarily to com- 
 mand in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Oti.s, has ordered the public teams to haul 
 this wood for the contractors at sixty-live cents per cord, justifying himself by order 
 No. 97, A. G. O., Washington, D. C., 1867; a most unjustifiable proceeding, since if the 
 public teams can haul the wood he should merely hire it cut, which can be done for 
 two or three dollars at the post.
 
 12 RECONNOISSANCE IX THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 Ill building tliis post the logs were cut and hauled by the troops, and 
 were >;i wed with the post mill. Stone was hauled for foundations, and 
 I tricks were made by the troops for chimneys and for filling in between 
 the sheet ings and plastering. The buildings are all sheathed on sides and 
 roof with inch cottonwood boards ; the sides are then clapboarded, and 
 the roofs shingled with tiro thicknesses of shingles of cottonwood manu- 
 factured at the post. Elm planks are used for the stockade and 
 bastions, with heavy oak posts. There are sentry boxes at the top of 
 the block-houses. A rolling prairie extends back from the post, with 
 good grazing. The mail communication with Fort Sully from this post 
 is kept open by scouts. There are now authorized at the post the 
 following civilian employes: 1 clerk, at $100; 1 engineer, at $100; 4 
 carpenters, 3 at $100, 1 at 8125; 1 interpreter and guide, at $100: 1 
 blacksmith, at $100 ; 1 plasterer for three months. 
 
 FORT SULLY. 
 
 Since inspecting this post the officers' quarters are finished, except 
 one set. Many alterations have been made in their plans. They differ 
 in style, &c., but are ample, convenient, and well furnished. The 
 barracks for the men are wretched; too small, illy ventilated, and hot; 
 wide stoops are required along all their fronts to keep the sun off, and 
 give the men a place to sleep in hot weather. Windows should be 
 sawed in the back part for light and ventilation. The stores are well 
 arranged and abundant ; in fact, greatly in excess for the size of the 
 garrison. 
 
 The department order has been literally carried out in one thing, for 
 a most elaborate subsistence room has been constructed as a place for 
 sales to officers. Much dressed pine has been uselessly consumed in a 
 sort of display that would answer very well in a village store. The 
 flour store-house was floored with a fine quality of tougued and grooved 
 flooring sent up to floor the quarters, and more had to be purchased to 
 complete the authorized officers' quarters, (one set.) The orderly rooms 
 were partially wainscoted inside, with tougued and grooved flooring 
 likewise. The post has a stockade and block-houses of most substantial 
 construction. The entire post has a neat, cheerful, well-cared-for 
 appearance. It is set on a high hill, some two miles from the landing, 
 and as far from water. 
 
 The grain was in good condition, except 1,100 sacks just received 
 from Sioux City. This grain was well sacked in double sacks reversed. 
 It was Indian corn that some time or other had been wet and heated. 
 The sacks had no appearance of having been wet. The animals would 
 not eat this corn, which fact first drew attention to it. Captain Gilliss 
 assures me that he inspected it with the tryer with the greatest care, 
 and that it was good. It was carried some four hundred or five hundred 
 miles in the hold of a steamboat with great care. It has been hauled 
 up a hill two miles, carefully packed in a store-house, and then taken 
 out, all the while kept perfectly dry, and now it is worthless for feeding 
 to any animals. 
 
 The grain store-house has a basement filled with all kinds of rubbish, 
 stores, iron, wagon material, good, bad, and indifferent. This arrange- 
 ment makes a place for rats; the dogs cannot get them, and the grain 
 wastes and suffers. The building is not properly supported, and unless 
 a remedy is soon applied it must fall down or break in pieces. 
 
 Full allowance of grain is returned for without regard to quantity 
 fed, as at other places. Luckily the subsistence department needed the
 
 RECONNOISSAXCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 13 
 
 oxen to eat, so that much grain may be regarded as saved by their 
 transfer. The mule teams here were magnificent; no other term would 
 express it, but hired drivers are employed. Little more, except at least 
 twelve new wagons, need be sent to this post ; with what the law allows 
 it ought to take care of itself. Extensive laundresses' quarters are in 
 process of erection. 
 
 There has been expended at this post for civilian labor the past year 
 $16,13311. There are now fifty- three men on extra duty, seven of 
 whom are carpenters. Men were authorized to cut hay and make brick. 
 The following civilian employes are now authorized: 1 clerk, at $100 ; 
 1 engineer, at $100; 2 masons, at 100 ; 5 carpenters, 4 at $100, and 1 
 at $50 j 8 teamsters, at $35 j 1 saddler, at $75 ; 2 blacksmiths, at $75 ; 
 1 wagon and forage master, at $75 ; 1 guide and interpreter, at $50. 
 
 I learned with great surprise after arriving at Sioux City, that the 
 regimental quartermaster of this post, Lieutenant McCaskey, was 
 ordered to some other regiment. His work at this post has evidently 
 been a labor of love ; he must have been active, attentive, and a valua- 
 ble officer ; his errors those of inexperience and youth ; and his removal, 
 when he is just settled down in quarters whose construction he has 
 superintended, with a young wife and child, appears unaccountable. 
 This officer had an old and very valuable sergeant as quartermaster 
 sergeant, whose services have been valuable in such a position as that 
 of quartermaster sergeant. This was Sergeant McCricket, formerly of 
 the Sixth Infantry. 
 
 FORT RANDALL. 
 
 This old post looked in certain respects renewed, for abundant rains 
 had made the grass everywhere green. The landing is abominable, and 
 edging yearly down the river. The contractor had several rough rafts 
 of various sized cottonwood logs lodged in the bank where we landed ; 
 these are to be broken up, the logs hauled out, cut and split into fire- 
 wood, and then delivered piled at the post ; a dreary method, and dreary 
 wood it makes for January in this region. 
 
 The soldiers' quarters were never placed upon any foundations, being 
 built of cottouwood logs laid on the ground ; the bottom ones are de- 
 cayed, and the upper ones go down a file yearly ; the stopping point is 
 about reached, and if the post is to be kept up two sets of company 
 quarters must be erected as speedily as practicable. The best plan will 
 be to make them of cottonwood, as at Fort Rice, furnishing, as for 
 that post, flooring from Sioux City. 
 
 A subsistence storehouse is next needed. The logs for these structures 
 ought to be gotten out by contract, as there are no men now to do it ; 
 a mill from Fort Sully to be sent there, with a saAvyer and engineer, 
 and saw them up before spring if possible, certainly in part. 
 
 The officers' quarters, some of them, need repairs. The stable and 
 barn is a good one. The public animals are in good order. The quar- 
 termaster's stores were in good buildings, neatly cared for, the acting 
 quartermaster being a most painstaking, laborious officer. He had been 
 overrun with rubbish from Fort Dakota. A quantity, 100 or more 
 tons of property, by an error of judgment of the officer sent there to 
 break up the post, were transported to this post, when they were not 
 worth loading even. At Fort Dakota, from the settlers, it would have 
 brought all it was worth. Corn and other stuff will be condemned here, 
 and sold where there are no purchasers. The transportation probably 
 cost $3,000 or more. Lieutenant Colonel Duffy, captain Twenty-second
 
 14 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 Infantry, was the officer who broke up Fort Dakota. He had no experi- 
 ence in such business ; hence the result. 
 
 This post, like Fort Rice, is upon the wrong side of the river, necessi- 
 tating the constant want of a ferry a boat or a rope, or both. 
 
 There is a contract for 500 cords of wood at $0 1)4 per cord. There 
 is considerable hay on hand at this time, and also a large quantity of 
 excellent dry wood. Forts Shaw, Stevenson, and Randall were the only 
 posts where much dry wood has been left over. 
 
 There are Indian reservations near Fort Randall, but the settlers are 
 pouring in so rapidly on the Missouri below that the post will not be 
 needed, in any event, five years. It seems a pity to build to any great 
 extent on this site, for the Indians about this reservation are of the 
 friendly, subdued kind, that form a sort of defense against the wild, 
 treacherous, and warlike Sioux toward the Yellowstone, where all the 
 force of the Government will need to be concentrated before many 
 years. At this place the following civilians are allowed : 1 interpreter 
 and guide, at $50 ; 1 blacksmith, at $75. 
 
 There are abundant stores of all kinds, and a supply of pine lumber, 
 shingles, &c. If a storehouse is built, I would recommend pine shingles. 
 A guard-house and prison -room is much needed here. 
 
 Having looked pretty well over this Missouri country, some opinions 
 which I have naturally formed may not be out of place. First, troops 
 that garrison the Upper Missouri country have the worst stations now 
 occupied by the Army, always excepting the Yuma Desert and Alaska. 
 They need good housing, clothing, feeding, and medical supplies; and 
 as they are in an expensive and difficult country, they require good dis- 
 cipline and good officers, with careful supervision. Abundant fuel is 
 required in winter, and the animals need to be well sheltered and fed. 
 
 The line of supply from Chicago, Sioux City, and the Missouri River, 
 has great advantages, such as celerity, certainty, and a longer season. 
 AVhen the steamer line is broken into two classes, mountain boats or 
 lighters from Buford up, and heavier boats from there down, the 
 business will be much more complete. A lauding about the Muscle- 
 shell, and a road into Montana, will dispose of the most difficult navi- 
 gation of the Upper Missouri. 
 
 A great change has been effected in two years. Wood yards are now 
 abundant and increasing, and the trips are proportionally shortened. 
 The transportation has thus been reduced about half. 
 
 The river is very well spaced off by posts, and serious losses of boats 
 are not likely to occur from Indians. Troops and officers can be thrown 
 into Montana, via the Union Pacific Railroad and Coriuue, at almost any 
 season of the year, except mid winter. This is not, however, now as 
 economical a route as that by the Missouri River. 
 
 To prevent animals from being overdriven and destroyed, all officers, 
 especially paymasters, ought to report their trips by land, giving the 
 distance traveled, the time taken, &c. The animals are not kept 
 properly branded, nor is the public property duly marked. There is a 
 great looseness in forage issues and returns, and in its accountability, 
 ('specially of hay. Surplus property is not taken up and accounted for. 
 There is no accurate measure for the civilian and other labor no record 
 of the results are kept. Articles manufactured, &c., are not taken up 
 and accounted for. The reports of alterations in buildings, &c., are not 
 made, or are mostly inaccurate. Exaggerated estimates of property are 
 made often from a vanity to have every article on hand known to the 
 vocabulary of the mechanic. The estimates and requisitions are not 
 entirely trustworthy, and a vast and unnecessary amount of property
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 15 
 
 has accumulated at the several posts. Especially is this the case in regard 
 to all kinds of materials used for repairs, (lenerally, repairs of every- 
 thing, except buildings that cannot be made by enlisted labor, ought to 
 cease at these posts. As I have often recommended, no building should 
 be erected except upon an approved plan, and no commanding officer 
 should order any labor hired or property purchased unless he have the 
 money to pay for it, or it be authorized on proper estimates made in 
 advance. 
 
 The military communication with the posts is most uncertain and 
 miserable in winter. Troops buried in snow, afflicted with scurvy, have 
 the misfortune to be cut off from their fellow-men about half the year, 
 as at Fort Buford. The amount that would keep such an express pos- 
 sible seems enormous for such a purpose; but were it expended in the 
 stupid transfer of worthless property from one point to another, it would 
 probably pass unchallenged. 
 
 The morals of the troops at Fort Buford have never been good ; much 
 of it has no doubt arisen from neglect and the great isolation of the 
 post. 
 
 After an interval of one month, upon September 2 I started under 
 the annexed order upon a tour of inspection of the remaining posts in the 
 department. The road from St. Cloud to Fort Abercrombie, over which 
 we transport our stores, extends along the Sauk Valley fully half of the 
 way, and in a wet season it is a wretched one, especially about thirty 
 miles through the Alexandria woods, where little has ever been done 
 to put it in serviceable condition. It will be of great advantage another 
 year to change this line to the other branch of the St. Paul and Pacific 
 llailroad, which during another season will reach Breckinridge, some 
 twelve miles from Fort Abercrombie, thus getting rid of one hundred 
 and seventy miles of hauling from St. Cloud to that post. 
 
 FOET ABERCROMBIE 
 
 is built in a bend of the Eed Kiver of the North, upon the west or 
 Dakota side, in a very fertile but low and overflowed district of country. 
 In the past ten years this post, advanced as it was beyond the settlements, 
 and, being the starting point for expeditions to the Missouri, possessed 
 some offensive and defensive importance. All that is now passed away, 
 and the only obvious use of the post now is to serve as a depot whence 
 to supply Forts Totten, Eausom, and posts in the prolongation of their 
 routes. 
 
 Fort Hansom is but seventy-five miles from this post, and Fort Totteii 
 one bunded and sixty -five miles. 
 
 Hospital. The hospital accommodations are deemed sufficient for 
 the present wants of the post, although the entire expenditure has been 
 made upon the administration building. A ward may be added at any 
 time when required. 
 
 Barracks and quarters. There are not sufficient quarters for the 
 officers since a chaplain and assistant quartermaster have been ordered 
 to the post; both these officers have to be provided with quarters. The 
 soldiers' quarters require some repairs. They are ample for all the force 
 really needed at this point, namely, one company to guard the stores. 
 
 A suitable double wooden building for surgeon and chaplain, or chap- 
 lain and assistant quartermaster, will cost $8,000. 
 
 A saw-mill at or near the post can furnish the lumber, (pine,) at $40 
 per thousand. 
 
 Storehouses. A storehouse was built about one year ago by contract,
 
 16 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 the commanding officer (General Sidell) superintending it. From de- 
 fective drainage it is tumbling down. A deep cellar, dug in clay, was 
 placed under it, which was allowed to fill with water: this softened the 
 clay, so that the brick cellar-wall and foundation caved in, and let the 
 building down. This building is used for subsistence stores; it shows 
 evidence of very great neglect on the part of the post authorities at 
 some time. The quartermaster's storehouse is even in a worse condition, 
 lidia similar causes. An examination of the ground showed that these 
 buildings could readily be drained into the river. The stable is large and 
 in good condition, but not constructed in accordance with the plan, and 
 for this reason it is extremely inconvenient. It will answer, however, 
 present purposes, as it is proposed to bring the public train to Fort 
 Snelling to winter. 
 
 The ferry at this post is owned and kept in order by the post trader, 
 who charges a nominal ferriage to the Government to cover his ex- 
 penses. 
 
 Settlers have now approached this post, so that grain for forage, and 
 perhaps another year enough flour, may be purchased for the use of the 
 garrison, deliverable at the post and raised in its vicinity. 
 
 Grass exists in the alluvial bottoms of the river in the greatest abun- 
 dance, and there is no reason why the post should not be supplied with 
 the best of prairie hay. This season the rains and the ignorance or 
 neglect of the post quartermaster, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel William 
 Hawley, has led to loss and confusion in this respect. The hay was put 
 up green and wet, and all, or nearly all, lost in consequence. The appli- 
 cation of some salt might have remedied this ; but even this well-known 
 expedient was neglected or not understood. 
 
 The grain on hand was in bad condition, and a vile compound of dirt- 
 sweepings and rat-chaff was issued to the animals of our train by the 
 post quartermaster when we left the post, greatly to their injury. 
 
 Wood is furnished by contract, and is not abundant on the reserva- 
 tion. 
 
 Water is hauled in wagons by the troops. The post has no reservoirs, 
 cisterns, or tanks, nor any provisions against fire. Some arrangements 
 are required if this is to be made a depot of stores. 
 
 This post is at present garrisoned by two skeleton companies of the 
 Twentieth United States Infantry, and commanded by the lieutenant 
 colonel of the regiment. There is a detachment of horses for mounted 
 infantry and scouts. Were due preparations made this would be the 
 proper post for regimental headquarters and for the supply train, which 
 are two hundred and fifty miles out of place at Fort Suelling. 
 
 FORT AVADSWORTH. 
 
 Seventy-six miles west of south from Fort Abercrombie, and some 
 thirty miles from the western boundary of Minnesota, is placed Fort 
 Wadsworth, nearly surrounded by small lakes, and twenty miles within 
 the hill country known as the coteau of the Missouri. It is about 
 thirty miles from the valley of the James River, an old and favorite 
 resort of the Indians west. 
 
 This post is west of and near the head of the route of the Minnesota 
 I fiver. Fort Ransom, sixty-five miles north of this post, is upon the 
 same route, and at its point of departure from the great western bend 
 of the Chene (Cheyenne) for Fort Rice or Fort Stevenson. These posts 
 were fixed when that was regarded as the best route to the Missouri j 
 but more recently ideas have changed. The railroad from St. Paul to
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 17 
 
 the northwest has deprived the Minnesota River route of any signifi- 
 cance whatever, and the greatest facilities for reaching the Missouri 
 River are found to be higher up toward Fort Totten or Miuni-Wakari 
 Lake. 
 
 Fort Wadsworth is situated on the borders of an Indian reservation, 
 and has importance as a police station, besides being west of the settle- 
 ments and defensively situated with respect to a protection of them 
 from hostile Indians from the west. 
 
 Hospital. A good brick building, in fine order generally, is used as 
 a hospital. 
 
 Storehouses. Ample, of stone ; in tolerable order. 
 
 Barracks and quarters. The soldiers' barracks are of stone ; require 
 repairs to floor and lathing and plastering overhead ; iron bedsteads 
 needed. 
 
 Officer^ quarters. Ample, of brick. One building needs some atten- 
 tion and repairs. 
 
 Guard-home. Too large for the garrison, and needs a floor; built of 
 brick. 
 
 Magazine. A very fine one of brick, in good order. 
 
 Wood. Obtained with difficulty by contract. The orders in regard 
 to wood at this post are not carried out. The post trader had been 
 allowed to cut some two hundred cords, while the garrison obtains wood 
 with difficulty. 
 
 Hay. Hay is obtained by contract. It was of fair quality, but not 
 properly stacked, nor was the fence around the stacks put up. The 
 butchers' herd and other cattle had access to the stacks. The quar- 
 termaster, Lieutenant Allanson, had receipted for some three hundred 
 tons of worthless stack bottoms and refuse, trampled-down and rotten 
 hay, to Lieutenant J. D. Geohegan, of the Tenth United States Infan- 
 try. Lieutenant Geohegan failed to transfer the money which he re- 
 ceived (some $900) from the Indian agent, for 14,040 pounds of corn of 
 the Quartermaster's .Department, sold to the Indian agent, Dr. Daniels. 
 He took Lieutenant Allanson's receipt for the corn sold, but has since 
 corrected it by receipting for that amount, but not by transferring the 
 money and dropping the grain. Lieutenant Geohegan transfers the 
 grain to Fort Mclntosh, Texas, where he is serving. 
 
 The land around Fort Wadsworth is good ; grass is abundant ; wood 
 scarce ; water poor. An excellent bed of suitable clay, for making a 
 fine quality of cream-colored bricks, underlies the post. Limestone, in 
 the form of boulders, is scattered over the surrounding country. " A 
 good lime-kiln exists at the post, brick-machines for making brick, &c. 
 There are sixteen mules in the Quartermaster's Department, and thirty- 
 five horses with the mounted force. There are also twelve oxen worked 
 at various kinds of hauling. 
 
 It will be observed that Forts Abercrombie, Ransom, and Wadsworth, 
 being joined by straight lines, form a triangle of about seventy miles 
 to the side, (or two days apart,) that possesses considerable strength 
 from the mutual assistance that may be given, and this triangle covers 
 the opening, as it were, between the Minnesota and Red River of the 
 North. The roads connecting these posts are across the prairies, now 
 properly staked and marked, so that they may be traversed in winter 
 without the risk of loss of life that, unhappily, has occurred in times 
 past. 
 
 It may be well to suggest that an intermediate .station would be an 
 advantage between Ransom and Wadsworth, at Spring Creek, two miles 
 S. Ex. Doc. 8 2
 
 18 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 from the foot of the coteau on that road. The crossing of that creek 
 needs repairs. 
 
 Civilians authorized: 1 guide and interpreter, at $75 per month; 1 
 guide, at $35 ; 1 blacksmith, at $60 per mouth. 
 
 FORT RANSOM. 
 
 This post is at the north western apex of the triangle already noticed. 
 and is on the circuitous but wet-season route from Fort Abercrombie 
 to Totten, as it may be said to flank to the west all the intermediate 
 and difficult streams. From Abercrombie to Totten by this road is 
 two hundred miles of good road, Ransom being one hundred and twenty- 
 six miles from Totten. 
 
 Fort Hansom was established June 18, 1867, and has been constructed 
 within the past two years. Brevet Major General A. H. Terry desig- 
 nated to Brevet Major G. H. Crosman, Tenth United States Infantry, 
 the site for the post, but the latter did not occupy the place indicated by 
 the department commander. 
 
 This is an outpost of little importance at present. It is on the Chey- 
 enne, at a noted landmark, (Bears' Den Hillock,) about twenty-five 
 miles distant west from the direct road from Fort Totten to Fort Aber- 
 crombie, and serves partially to cover that road. 
 
 Barracks and quarters. There are sufficient quarters for the officers ; 
 one block, however, needing a new roof upon one side ; quarters for 
 men, &c., sufficient. There is a good hospital, magazine, and store- 
 house ; the latter was in superior order. Some lathing and plastering 
 is required to finish the post. At this post the public laths were used 
 to make chicken yards, and good lumber and pine shingles had been 
 used to cover new houses. There is a steam saw-mill at this post, ex- 
 posed to the weather, except some old canvas was thrown over the 
 engine. 
 
 The wood delivered upon contract was good and well piled. The con- 
 tractor had, however, been put to many inconveniences. He was made 
 to get his wood clear of the reservation, and to graze and herd his stock 
 at a distance from the post. He stated that, in conversation, he was 
 told by the commanding officer that the chief quartermaster had no 
 authority to draw the contract so that vouchers might be given for 
 any part until the whole was delivered, &c. Since my inspection, Mr. 
 Myrick informs me that he (the commanding officer) has ordered his 
 (Myrick's) agent, who is getting wood, off the post. The embarrass- 
 ments to supplying wood, with an officer who is so difficult to suit, are 
 so great that it is recommended that the wood, from this date, be cut 
 at this post and hauled by the troops. The company has been filled up; 
 there is no other labor required, and it is believed to be for the interest 
 of the service that this course be pursued. 
 
 Water is about 1,500 feet distant, and is hauled by the troops. Wood 
 is abundant and convenient, and grazing and hay all that is desired. 
 
 Civilians authorized: 1 blacksmith, at $75 per mouth; 1 guide and 
 interpreter, at $75 per month. 
 
 FORT TOTTEN. 
 
 This post is on Miuni-Wakan Lake, one hundred and twenty-six miles 
 north of Fort Ransom, one hundred and twenty-six miles a little north 
 of east from Fort Stevenson, on the Missouri River, and about seventy 
 miles east of Mouse River. This post is well situated in a tract of roll-
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 19 
 
 ing country, with convenient wood, water, and grass, and a fair agricul- 
 tural region near it. A large reservation of Sioux is here located. The 
 post is in process of construction, with a greater degree of permanence 
 than most of the posts in the department. 
 
 Barracks and quarters. The quarters for the officers are to be of brick, 
 plain and comfortable, very well adapted to this severe climate. It is 
 expected that the commanding officer's quarters, and at least quarters 
 for six other officers, will be completed this season, with weather that 
 is tolerably favorable. 
 
 Barracks. Barracks for two companies, of brick, are in a condition 
 so that they may be occupied this season. One of the buildings built 
 under the superintendence of Captain J. V. Furey, assistant quarter- 
 master, last year, does not conform to the plan, the roof being con- 
 siderably lower, with less pitch than the specification and plans call for. 
 The one built this season under the superintendence of Lieutenant P. 
 M. Thome, Twenty-second United States Infantry, is much better. 
 
 Storehouses. Two storehouses, one for subsistence stores, and one 
 for quartermaster's stores, were erected last year under the superintend- 
 ence of Captain Fnrey. Each one was placed 30 feet from the position 
 called for by the plan, and only one side of each of these buildings, as 
 to openings and doors, conformed to the plan. Upon the outside of 
 each building but one door is placed, and no other opening. These 
 buildings are poorly constructed in some respects. The foundations 
 constructed under the direction of this officer are defective. A careful 
 inspection developed the fact of great improvement thus far under the 
 new contractor. Nothing, however, but constant watchfulness will se- 
 cure the kind of service due the Government. The old post is, in a 
 measure, unfit for longer occupation. There are many things required 
 to be done, but the garrison is so small in enlisted men present that an 
 excuse was ready for every omission. 
 
 Fuel is furnished by contract, hay the same ; but grain has heretofore 
 been furnished from St. Louis, via Stevenson, with heavy cost and con- 
 stant loss for want of proper storage at Fort Stevenson, and for other 
 reasons. 
 
 Fort Totten can only be supplied with certainty and economically from 
 Fort Abercrombie. The escorts demanded for the trains from Fort 
 Stevenson exhaust the garrison ; none will be needed from Abercrombie 
 to Totten. 
 
 The various buildings designed for the post of Fort Totten may all 
 be completed another season. They will all be needed, and economy 
 demands that the post buildings be prosecuted to completion as rapidly 
 as possible. 
 
 Excellent limestone exists about this post in the form of erratic blocks 
 or boulders, and it is possible that lime for the neighboring posts can 
 readily be provided from here. The lime is of excellent quality j good 
 clay is found for making brick. 
 
 No stone is found in place until within about thirty miles of Mouse 
 River. Here, in a tributary of the Cheue, near its head, is an out-crop 
 of sandstone lying in the side hill at an angle of nearly 45, some forty 
 or fifty yards long. Limestone in place is reported in the bed of the 
 Otter Tail River, some twenty or thirty miles from Fort Abercrombie. 
 No other rocks in situ have been observed between that point and the 
 Missouri River, the entire rock formation being buried under a mass of 
 drift. A well bored at Fort Totten to the depth of 70 feet did not pass 
 entirely through the drift formation. 
 
 A post at the south bend of Mouse River will be nearly on the direct
 
 20 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 road to Fort Buford from Fort Totten, and will render the military oc- 
 cupation of this country very complete. It can be readily supplied from 
 Fort Totten, distance about one hundred and ten miles. It can be 
 readily communicated with also from Fort Stevenson, within a supposed 
 radius of seventy miles. Such a post will be one hundred and fifty or 
 one hundred and sixty miles from Fort Buford. 
 
 This inspection shows that 15 good horses are required at Fort Totten, 
 12 at Fort Ransom, 12 at Fort Wadsworth, and 12 at Fort Abercrombie. 
 There is forage enough for them were they furnished immediately, as 
 they might be by purchase. 
 
 When the companies are filled up with recruits the enlisted men can 
 readily supply at all these posts the hay and wood required. The men 
 who are to take charge of the horses and do the scouting ought to be 
 picked or selected for their fitness for this service. 
 
 The employment of guides at posts where Indian scouts are stationed 
 is an unnecessary expense, for the Indians, with their interpreter, can 
 go anywhere and answer all the purpose of guides ; otherwise their em- 
 ployment loses an element of its value economy. 
 
 At all the posts there was a general want of attention to the interests 
 of the service, and to duty on the part of subalterns doing duty in the 
 quartermaster's department, except at Fort Ransom. In most cases 
 want of experience might be urged; but usually this was associated 
 with indifference or want of fitness. 
 
 The posts in this district all require wells except Fort Totten. It 
 would be an excellent thing to plant trees about them for shade pur- 
 poses, and to test the matter of raising trees. A very little attention 
 would provide trees that would be of considerable protection in winter 
 to break off the storms. For classification of civilian employe's, see 
 Special Field Orders No. 38, accompanying this report.
 
 RECONNOISSANCK IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
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 Fort Snelling, Minnesota 
 
 Fort Ellis, Montana Territory 
 
 Fort Shaw, Montana Territory 
 Camp Cooke, Montana Territory.. 
 Fort Bnford, Dakota Territory 
 Fort Steveaon. Dakota Territory . . 
 Fort Rice, Dakota Territory 
 Fort Sully, Dakote Territory 
 Fort Randall, Dakota Territory. . . 
 Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territo 
 Fort AVadsworth, Dakota Territor 
 
 Fort Ransom, Dakota Territory . . . 
 
 Fort Totten. Dakota Territory 
 Fort Ripley, Minnesota
 
 22 KECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 For classification of civilian employes authorized, see special field 
 orders accompanying. 
 Kespectfnllv submitted. 
 
 S. B. HOLABIRD, 
 Deputy Quartermaster General United States Army, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Department of Dakota. 
 Brevet Brigadier General O. D. GREENE, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant General, Department of Dakota, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota. 
 
 Civilian employes now at Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory, con- 
 nected with the public train at that post, viz : 1 blacksmith, at $75 per 
 month; 1 chief wagon-master, at $100 per month; 2 wagon-masters, at 
 $65 per month ; 2 assistant wagon-masters, at $45 per month ; G3 team- 
 sters, at $30 per month. 
 
 Fort Snelling, Minnesota : 1 clerk, at $140 per month ; 1 blacksmith, 
 at $75 per month ; 1 forage-master, at $45 per month ; 1 laborer, at $30 
 per month ; 1 carpenter, at $75 per month ; 14 teamsters, at from $25 to 
 $30 per mouth. 
 
 Sioux City, Iowa : Office of assistant quartermaster : 1 chief clerk, 
 at $150 per month : 1 laborer, at $50 per month. 
 
 S. B. HOLABIRD, 
 Deputy Quartermaster General United States Army. 
 
 Supplementary report. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, October 23, 18G9. 
 
 RESERVATIONS. 
 
 I have the honor to report that, so far as known, the reservations of 
 the following posts have never been declared by his Excellency the 
 President, namely : Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory ; Fort Wads- 
 worth, Dakota Territory ; Fort Ransom, Dakota Territory ; Fort Tot- 
 ten, Dakota Territory ; Fort Stevenson, Dakota Territory ; Fort Rice, 
 Dakota Territory ; Fort Sully, Dakota Territory ; Fort Buford, Dakota 
 Territory ; Fort Benton, Montana Territory ; Fort Shaw, Montana 
 Territory ; Fort Ellis, Montana Territory. Upon all these posts, except 
 Fort Benton, very heavy expenditures have been made, and the import- 
 ance of immediate action cannot be too strongly represented. Until 
 these posts have become set aside as legal reservations, and thus brought 
 under the act of Congress in regard to squatters, the present order to 
 eject this class of persons from the reservation can only be applied by 
 post commanders at their personal legal risk, for they have no legal 
 jurisdiction over any of the posts named. 
 
 Maps of the reservations are inclosed as follows : Fort Shaw, Fort 
 Benton, Fort Buford, Fort Stevenson, Fort Rice, Fort Sully, Fort 
 Ransom, Fort Totten. 
 
 Funds. It is my duty to report that we have been constantly embar- 
 rassed this season for want of funds. Since May 1, 1869, our estimates 
 have asked for $364,985 15 ; we have received $60,000. (See schedule 
 attached.)
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 23 
 
 From this it appears that estimates and requisitions may be made 
 according to law and regulations to meet our exact wants, and although 
 the money be in the Treasury there seems to be no corresponding 
 obligations recognized by the department of supply to fill them. In 
 this manner the public creditors in Montana and here have suffered 
 severely. The hauling (route 2fo. 4) contractor's assignee, J. B. Wilson, 
 has been compelled to pledge his vouchers and pay 1 per cent, per 
 month to the Second National Bank, this season, to carry on his busi- 
 ness. The contract is very low, and this fact requires no comment. 
 
 The local military authorities in Montana constantly represent that the 
 reason they pay seemingly such high rates for everything is the distrust of 
 parties as to the time of payment. The public credit of the Quarter- 
 master's Department is thus seriously wounded. By the terms of the 
 Montana hauling contract the contractor should be paid in legal tenders 
 at Fort Shaw, Montana Territory. 
 
 There are known to have been employes, hired by contract in St. 
 Louis, who had served their contract terms in that distant region with- 
 out being paid a cent of their pay. It is within your knowledge that a 
 man who had worked fifteen months and had his vouchers with him, 
 called upon me at CampCooke for payment; otherwise he had painfully 
 to work his passage to St. Louis hence, with vouchers of some $1,500 in 
 his possession; (had the present order about vouchers then been in 
 existence, it is not seen what he could have done;) he could only part 
 with his vouchers at a ruinous discount, thus tempting all the followers 
 of the Army to enter into this sort of traffic. 
 
 As money is not furnished, the estimates necessarily increase in vol- 
 ume, and now is the time when all the contractors for regular supplies 
 are finishing their contracts and are clamoring for their first payment. 
 
 Upon this subject I have recently conversed with General Ekin, who 
 was out here from the Quartermaster General's office inspecting. He 
 stated that he had charge of the financial matters, and controlled the 
 furnishing of money. I gathered from his remarks that he was not 
 governed by the estimates, but exercised his judgment or discretion by 
 sending only what he deemed necessary, upon an examination of the 
 returns of funds. This may possess great advantages where extrava- 
 gance is alleged ; but where an economical expenditure of the public 
 funds in their current use is acknowledged it seems uncalled for to have 
 the revised and approved estimates of the department and division 
 commanders thus set aside. I feel greatly encouraged that this state of 
 things will not continue. General Ekin stated that there was plenty of 
 money appropriated ; that it was the desire of the Quartermaster Gen- 
 eral that the public creditors should have it, and for that reason the 
 Quartermaster General had forbidden the issue of vouchers, &c., and 
 further that he would see himself that we had money sent to us for cur- 
 rent use. 
 
 The Quartermaster's Department requires a depository in Montana, 
 and an officer there who can be intrusted with sufficient funds to pay 
 our debts. This without delay. 
 
 Such money as has been furnished has been distributed, as far as 
 practicable, and this very distribution delays our requisitions ; for funds 
 sent to the distant posts have to be borne on hand until receipts are 
 returned, and this fact is construed to show that we are in funds ; thus 
 is the estimate in no way regarded as a foundation for correct action, 
 but other evidence is taken that can only be interpreted with all the 
 facts and circumstances stated. The estimates are required by the 
 department commanders three months in advance; they are required in
 
 24 
 
 KECON 7 NOISSAXCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 great detnil, ;uid in triplicate, and every paragraph of the regulations, 
 especially 1 <)."><, is conformed to ; nothing further seems in our power at 
 this time. 
 
 The orders transmitted to the Quartermaster General, which were 
 published from time to time during your inspection, will demonstrate 
 that abuses and neglects, so far as it was possible at this time, have 
 been corrected. In many respects a happy improvement is manifest 
 within the last two years. 
 
 The many changes in the reduction of the Army, however, has made 
 new instructions and exertions necessary. 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 S. B. HOLABIRD, 
 Deputy Quartermaster General, United States Army, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Department of Dakota. 
 
 SCHEDULE. 
 
 Amount of funds required by estimates, 
 since May 1, 1869. 
 
 Amount of funds furnished since M:r I. 
 1869. 
 
 1869. 
 May 1 $43,16282 
 
 1869. 
 September*. 
 
 | 
 $10,000 00 
 
 June 30,19459 
 
 October 31. 
 
 50 000 00 
 
 July 31 181 42 
 
 
 
 August 63, 070 90 
 
 
 
 September. 144 826 34 
 
 
 
 October 31 52, 549 08 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total 364 985 15 
 
 Total 
 
 60 000 00 
 
 
 
 
 * Received by Brevet Major A. G. Robinson, A. Q. M., U. S. A. 
 
 S. B. HOLABIRD, 
 Deputy Quartermaster General United States Army. 
 
 [Indorsement.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, 
 
 OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, 
 Chicago, Illinois, November 20, 1869. 
 
 Respectfully forwarded. 
 
 The following points mentioned within seem to be of much interest, 
 and the attention of the Quartermaster General is especially invited to 
 them : 
 
 Port Ellis : Large coal-beds of easy access within four miles. Best 
 way to supply this post during the season of navigation, via Muscle- 
 shell River. 
 
 Fort Shaw: Coal within nine or fifteen miles. 
 
 Fort Benton : Storehouse needed. I will here remark that it is under- 
 stood by this office that arrangements are being made by General Han- 
 cock, commanding Department of Dakota, to lease for Government 
 use the buildings at Fort Bentoii owned by the Korthwestern Fur Com- 
 pany. 
 
 Camp Cooke : Large surplus of iron, rope, spare parts of wagons, 
 tools, &c., on hand. I have written to General Holabird on this subject
 
 RECOXNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 25 
 
 to have these surplus articles properly disposed of. A copy of my let- 
 ter is herewith inclosed, marked A. Wood enough on hand to last a 
 year longer. 
 
 Fort Buford : A new officers' quarters required immediately, and, 
 eventually, a new hospital and company quarters ; also a shingle- 
 machine. 
 
 Fort Stevenson : Granary and magazine required. 
 
 Fort Rice : Government teams have hauled wood for the wood con- 
 tractor for 65 cents per cord. A copy of my letter to General Holabird 
 to have such additional amount as may be reasonable and just charged, 
 to contractor is herewith inclosed, marked B. Cisterns needed. 
 
 Fort Sully: Grain storehouse not properly supported; will fall to 
 pieces if remedy is not soon applied. 
 
 Fort Randall : Two sets company quarters must be erected as speedily 
 as practicable, if the post is to be kept up, and next a subsistence store- 
 house ; also a guard-house and prison-room required. Ferry-boat needed. 
 
 Fort Abercroinbie : Quarters required for chaplain and assistant quar- 
 termaster ; arrangements needed to guard against fire. 
 
 Fort Wads worth : Iron bedsteads required. Lieutenant J. D. Geo- 
 ghegan failed to transfer about $900, which he received for sale of corn, 
 to Dr. Daniels, Indian agent. Lieutenant Geoghegan is now at Fort 
 Mclutosh, Texas. If he has failed to account for this money, I respect- 
 fully recommend the stoppage of his pay until he does account for it. 
 It is presumed by this office that action has been or is about to be taken 
 at Headquarters Department of Dakota, on such of the foregoing and 
 other items of this report as may be of due importance. If the sugges- 
 tions of General Holabird, as to construction and repair of buildings, 
 cisterns, &c., are approved by the commanding general Department of 
 Dakota, it is expected that the proper plans and estimates will be pre- 
 pared and forwarded in good season. So with regard to the shingle 
 machine for Fort Bufort, the ferry-boat for Fort Randall, and the iron 
 bedsteads for Fort Wadsworth. 
 
 I will to-day communicate a copy of this indorsement to General 
 Holabird. 
 
 D. H. RUCKER, 
 
 Assistant Quartermaster General United States Army, 
 Chief Quartermaster Military Division of the Missouri* 
 
 A. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, 
 
 Office Chief Quartermaster, Chicago, III., November 19, 1869. 
 
 GENERAL: In your inspection report of posts in the Department of Dakota, made- 
 October 15, 1869, to the commanding general of that department, copy of which waa 
 forwarded by you to the Quartermaster General, through this office, on the 12th in- 
 stant, referring to affairs at Camp Cooke, you state, "A vast deal of property has also 
 been accumulated in the quartermaster's department, (at Camp Cooke,) especially iron, 
 rope, spare parts for wagons, tools, &c., ten times as much as ever could be used." If 
 you have not already done so, please have the proper papers prepared with a view of 
 obtaining authority for the sale of such of the above stores as are unserviceable and 
 not needed, and cause those articles that are of use to be distributed, on the opening 
 of navigation, to such other posts on the Missouri River and in Montana as you may 
 think for the best interests of the service. 
 
 The estimates for the year ending June 30, 1871, of posts to be thus supplied will, of 
 course, be modified accordingly before transmitted to this office.
 
 "26 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 If there is a surplus of quartermaster's stores or clothing, camp and garrison equipage 
 a.t any other post in the Department of Dakota that can be sent elsewhere to advantage, 
 please see that it is done. 
 
 Vci v respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 D. H. RUCKER, 
 Assistant Quartermaster General United States Army, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Military Division Missouri. 
 Brigadier General S. B. HOLABIRD, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Department of Dakota, St. Paul, Minnesota. 
 
 A true copy : 
 
 D. H. RUCKER, 
 
 Assistant Quartermaster General United States Army, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Military Division Missouri. 
 
 B. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, 
 
 Office Chief Quarts-master, Chicago, 111., November 19, 1869. 
 
 GENERAL : In your inspection report of posts in the Department of Dakota, made 
 October 15, 1869, to the commanding general of that department, copy of which was 
 forwarded by you to the Quartermaster General, through this office, on the 12th in- 
 stant, referring to the existence of a contract for the delivery of 1,000 cords of wood at 
 Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, at $5 70 per cord, you state that " Captain George W. Hill, 
 succeeding temporarily to command in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Otis, has 
 ordered the public teams to haul the wood for the contractor at 65 cents per cord, justi- 
 fying himself by Order No. 97, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., 1867 ; a 
 most unjustifiable proceeding, since, if the public teams can haul the wood, he should 
 merely hire it cut, which can be done for $2 or $3 at the post." Paragraph VII of Gen- 
 eral Order No. 97, above mentioned, directs* that full deduction shall be made for tin- 
 service in cases where, from manifest necessity, public means of transportation is used 
 on the written authority of the post commander to enable contractors to fulfill their 
 contracts. 
 
 If, in your opinion, 65 cents per cord is too small a sum for hauling the wood in 
 question, and you have not already taken action in the premises, you are requested to 
 cause to be deducted from any payments due, or that may become due the contractor 
 for delivery of wood at Fort Rice, such additional amount for the Government hauling 
 as in your conviction may be reasonable and just, reporting your action to this office. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 D. H. RUCKER, 
 Assistant Quartermaster General United States Army, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Military Division Missouri. 
 Brevet Brigadier General S. B. HOLABIRD, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Department of Dakota, St. Paul, Minnesota. 
 
 A true copy : 
 
 D. H. RUCKER, 
 
 Assistant Quartermaster General United State* Army, 
 
 Chief Quartermaster Military Dhision Missouri. 
 
 List of papers. 
 
 No. 1. Plan of Fort Shaw, Montana Territory. 
 
 No. 2. Plan of posts in district of Montana, including Fort Buford and proposed 
 post at mouth of Muscleshell River. 
 
 No. 3. Plan of posts in Middle District. 
 
 No. 4. Tracing of country in vicinity of Fort Buford, Dakota Territory. 
 
 No. 5. Reservation of Fort Shaw, Montana Territory. 
 
 No. 6. Reservation of Fort Benton, Montana Territory. 
 
 No. 7. Reservation of Fort Buford, Dakota Territory. 
 
 No. 8. Reservation of Fort Stevenson, Dakota Territory. 
 
 No. 9. Reservation of Fort Rice, Dakota Territory. 
 
 No. 10. Reservation of Fort Sully, Dakota Territory. 
 
 No. 11. Reservation of Fort Totten, Dakota Territory. 
 
 No. 12. Reservation of Fort Ransom, Dakota Territory.
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 27 
 
 No. 13. Reservation of Fort Wadsworth, Dakota Territory. 
 No. 14. Tracing of Smith's River, valley country, Montana Territory. 
 No. 15. File of General Orders, Headquarters Department of Dakota, defining mili- 
 tary reserves. 
 
 [NOTE. Plans and tracings. Nos. 1 to 14, are not printed.] 
 
 No. 15. 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 10.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 Fort Snelling, Minnesota, March 7, 1867. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the military reservation at Fort 
 Abercrombie, Dakota Territory, is hereby established, according to the map made in 
 pursuance of the survey of November 1866, and now on file in the office of the chief 
 quartermaster at these headquarters, the same to embrace five miles square. 
 By command of Brevet Major General A. H. Terry : 
 
 ED. W. SMITH, 
 lireret Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Twenty-fourth United States Infantry, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official: 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 41.1 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, October 1, 1867. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the military reservation of Fort 
 Wadsworth, Dakota Territory, is hereby established and defined, by the following 
 boundaries, according to the survey and map made by Second Lieutenant D. H. Kelton, 
 Tenth Infantry, in 1867, namely : Commencing at the flag-staff at Fort Wadsworth, whose 
 latitude is 45 43' 30", and longitude 97 30', running thence to a point three miles 
 west of the fort, thence due north ten miles, thence east nine miles, thence south fifteen 
 miles, theuce west to the intersection of a line run south from the west point, em- 
 bracing a tract of nine by fifteen miles. 
 
 Bv command of Brevet Major General A. H. Terry : 
 
 ED. W. SMITH, 
 Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Twenty-fourth United States Infantry, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Oftifial : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 19.1 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OK DAKOTA, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, June 10, 1868. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lands inclosed within, 
 the hereinafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military 
 purposes, and declared to be the military reservation of the post of Fort Stevenson, 
 Dakota Territory : 
 
 The initial point is on meridian of longitude 101 30' west from Greenwich, at the 
 intersection of the wagon route from Fort Stevenson to Fort Berthold, Dakota Terri- 
 tory ; thence running north of east in a straight line ten miles to the point at which 
 the wagon route known as " General Sully's " crosses the west branch of Douglas 
 Creek ; thence south of east six and three-fourths miles to the point at which the 
 " General Sully wagon route" crosses Snake Creek ; thence southwardly, following the 
 right or west bank of said Snake Creek to its mouth, then crossing the Missouri 
 River and following the right bank of said river to a point six miles from the last- 
 mentioned point ; thence due west fifteen and a half miles ; thence east of north three 
 and one-half miles to the point of commencement. 
 
 At the apex of each of the angles as above described a square-cut stone, 1 foot on the
 
 28 RECONNOISSANCE IX THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 edge and 3| feet in length, will be firmly embedded 18 inches in the ground. On the 
 inner face of each stone the letters " U. S." will be chiseled in raised letters. On the 
 outer face of each stone will be painted the words " Military Reservation." The lines 
 as run will be " blazed" as plainly as the features of the surface of the country will 
 permit. 
 
 P.v command of Brevet Major General Terry: 
 
 O. D. GREENE, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER. 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General? 
 
 [General Orders X o. 2L 1 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA.. 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, July 16, 1868. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the puplic lands inclosed by the 
 hereinafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military 
 purposes, and declared to be the military reservation of the post of Fort Bufoni. 
 Dakota Territory : 
 
 The initial point is at the intersection of the 104th degree of longitude west from 
 Greenwich with the 48th parallel of north latitude ; thence run south fifteen miles ; 
 thence east fifteen miles ; thence north thirty miles ; thence west thirty miles ; thence 
 south thirty miles ; thence east fifteen miles ; at the apex of each of the angles of the 
 square thus described, a square-cut stone, 1 foot on the edge and 3f feet in length, will 
 be firmly embedded 18 inches in the ground. On the inner face of each stone the 
 letters " U. S." will be chiseled in raised letters. On the onter face of each stone will 
 be painted the words " Military Reservation." 
 
 The post commander will cause the lines, as herein described, to be run without 
 delay, by an officer of his command, and the inclosed area platted with as much ac- 
 curacy as the circumstances will permit, A copy of the plat will be forwarded to 
 these headquarters as soon as made, for the information and action of the War De- 
 partment. 
 
 The chief quartermaster of the department will purchase a compass and chain, and 
 forward, with the least delay practicable, to the commanding officer of Fort Buford, 
 for use in making the survey herein required. 
 By command of Brevet Major General A. H. Terrv : 
 
 O. D. GREENE, 
 A**i*tant Adjutant General. 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 42.] 
 
 HEAI>QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, May 18, 1869. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lands inclosed by the 
 hereinafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military 
 .purposes, and declared to be the military reservation of the post of Fort Ransom : 
 
 The initial point is eight miles due south of the southwest corner of the block-house 
 on the southwest angle of the fort; thence due east five miles; thence due north ten 
 miles; thence due west ten miles ; thence due south ten miles; thence due east five 
 miles to the initial point. The corners are marked by mounds erected over a post, 
 set in the ground, and similar marks are made where the line crosses the river. 
 
 Under the direction of the post commander, at the apex of each of the angles of the 
 square above described, a square-cut stone, 1 foot on the edge and 3J feet in length, 
 will be firmly embedded 18 inches in the ground. On the inner face of each stone the 
 letters " U. S." will be chiseled in raised letters ; on the outer face of each stone will be 
 painted, or cut, the words " Military Reservation." 
 By command of Major General W. S. Hancock : 
 
 O. D. GREENE, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 29 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 46.] 
 
 HEAIHjrAHTKHS J M'.l'A K T.M KNT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, May 24, 1869. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lands inclosed by the 
 hereinafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military pur- 
 poses, and are declared to be the military reservation of the post of Fort Sully, Dakota 
 Territory : 
 
 The initial point is at a limestone rock, (set in the side of a hill, with the letter "R" 
 cut in its face,) five chains and seventy-two links south one degree east of a limestone 
 rock, on the northwest face of the basin of a large, never-failing spring near the head- 
 waters of Spring Creek, which latter rock has a hole drilled in its face, and the letters 
 " U. S. R." marked upon it ; thence from the initial point south sixty -five degrees west, 
 to a point at low-water mark on the eastern bank of an island, known as Wa-Ka-boju 
 Island, which point is marked by a square-cut stone with the letters "U. S. R." cut in 
 its face; thence along the eastern shore of said islands in a southerly direction to the 
 southernmost point of the same, which point is marked by a square-cut stone with the 
 letters "U. S. R." cut in its face; thence south sixty-five degrees west, to a point at 
 high-water mark oil the west bank of the Missouri River, which point is marked by a 
 square-cut stone with the letters " U. S. R." cut in its face ; thence up and along the 
 west bank of the Missouri river, as it winds, to a point marked by a square-cut stone 
 with the letters " U. S. R." cut in its face, at high-water mark, on the west bank of said 
 river, south seventy-five degrees west from a granite boulder on the east bank of the 
 Missouri river, which boulder is marked with the letters "U. S. R." cut in its face; 
 thence north, seventy-five degrees east one hundred and seventy-six and three-quarters 
 chains, to a limestone rock with the letter " R" cut in its face ; thence south forty-five 
 degrees east, eight hundred and eighty-nine chains and forty-five links to a limestone 
 rock with the letter "R" cut in its face; thence south sixty-five degrees west, forty- 
 one chains and eighty links to the initial point, being forty-two square miles, or 27,275 
 acres, more or less. 
 
 By command of Major General Hancock: 
 
 O. D. GREENE, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 
 Acting Axxistant Adjutant GetieraL 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 55.] 
 
 HEADQUAKTEKS DEPAUTMKXT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, June 30, 1869. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lands inclosed by the 
 hereinafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military pur- 
 poses, and are declared to be the military reservation of Fort Totten, Dakota Territory : 
 
 The initial point is at a post in the center of a pile of stones on the southern shore of 
 Minni-Wakau or Devil's Lake, five miles and three hundred rods west one degree north 
 from the center of the permanent post ; thence south thirty degrees east, nine miles and 
 one hundred and ninety-six rods, to a post on the north bank of the Chyeune River; 
 thence southeasterly along the north bank of the river, nine miles and one hundred 
 and eighty-two rods to a post also on the north bank of the Chyenue river ; thence east 
 thirty degrees north, four miles and two hundred and fifty-six rods to a post ; thence 
 north thirty degrees west, ten miles and one hundred and ninety-two rods to a post on 
 the southern bank of Devil's Lake, in the center of a pile of stones ; thence along the 
 southern shore of Devil's Lake twenty-nine miles and three hundred and sixteen rods 
 to the point of beginning. 
 
 The commanding officer at Fort Totten will cause to be erected, in place of the posts 
 above described, permanent cut stones, firmly embedded in the ground; on the inner 
 faces of each stone the letters " U. S." will be chiseled in raised letters, and on the outer 
 face of each stone will be painted or cut the words "Military Reservation." 
 
 By command of Major General Hancock: 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Ac-tiny AnsMant Adjutant Central. 
 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Aciinj Auf'istint Adjutant (Sencral.
 
 30 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 (General Orders No. 62.1 
 
 HKADQUARTERS DEI'AKTMKNT ok- DAKOTA. 
 
 / S7. Paul, Miinu'fiota, July '23, 1889. 
 
 The following gcnci u\ field order is republished for the information and guidance of 
 all concerned : 
 
 " [General Field Orders No. 2.] 
 
 "HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 "In the Field, Benton, Montana Territory, July 5, 1H69. 
 
 " In order that old Fort Benton may be made use of as a military post, the following 
 reservation embracing it is declared, subject to the approval of the proper authority, 
 namely : 
 
 " Take for the initial point a stake in the southwest corner of the fort lot, planted in 
 the fence along the river street, five hundred and seventy-five feet from the southwest 
 corner of Fort Benton ; through this stake run a due north and south line across the 
 river, extending it on the north side of the Missouri, across the Teton, to the Marias. 
 Mark the intersection of this line with the Marias River, thence follow along the river 
 to its mouth. 
 
 "Take a point on the south side of the Missouri River, opposite the point of junction 
 of the Marias, and from this point run due south six miles this point making the 
 southeast corner of the reservation. From this point run due west, until the first north 
 and south line is intersected this intersection forming the southwest corner of the 
 reservation. This is to exclude the cemetery lot, as now inclosed, together Avith an 
 opening of its width to the boundary line, on the west side. 
 " By command of Major General Hancock : 
 
 " O. D. GREENE, 
 "Assistant Adjutant General" 
 Bv command of Major General Hancock : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 [General Orders Xo. 69.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, September 14, 1869. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lands inclosed by the here- 
 inafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military pur- 
 poses, and declared to be the military reservation of Fort Shaw, Montana Territory : 
 
 The initial point is at a sandstone marked with pits and mounds on the verge of 
 the plateau north of Sun River, at a point bearing north fifty-two degrees west 
 from Sun River crossing, and north eight degrees east from the northwest angle of 
 Square Butte ; thence south eight degrees west, three hundred and fifty-six chains to 
 a post marked " U. S. M. R.," with three pits and mound ; thence south fifty-eight and 
 a quarter degrees west, three hundred and four and thirty-nine hundreths chains, to 
 the summit of a conical peak of granite rock called the " Nipple ; " thence north sixty- 
 four degrees fifteen minutes west, two hundred sixteen and ninety hundredths chains; 
 thence west one hundred and fifty-four chains ; thence south seventy six degrees and 
 forty-five minutes west, ninety-one and sixty-eight hundredths chains, to a sandstone 
 marked " U. S. M. R.,'' and a monument of stone, being the southwest angle of the 
 reservation ; thence north thirty-three degrees fifteen minutes west, three hundred and 
 seventeen chains to a sandstone and monument of stone erected on a high bluff, being the 
 northwest angle of the reservation ; thence north sixty-four and a quarter degrees east, 
 one hundred and seventy huudredths chains; thence north eighty-six degrees and fif- 
 teen minutes east, two hundred and eighty chains to a sandstone marked "U. S. M. 
 R.," and a mound of gravel and boulders ; thence north eighty-eight degrees fifteen 
 minutes east, fifty -six chains to a sandstone and monument of stone ; thence north 
 sixty-seven degrees east, two hundred and thirty-nine chains ; thence north eighty-six 
 degrees and fifteen minutes east, two hundred and seventy-six and thirty-two hun- 
 dredths chains to the northeast angle of the reservation, the place of beginning. 
 
 By command of Major General Hancock : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
 
 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 31 
 
 [General Orders No. 77.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 St. 1'aitl, Minnesota, Nortmber 6, 1869. 
 
 General Orders No. 62, current series, from these headquarters, is modified as follows : 
 In order that old Fort Beutou may be made use of as a military post, the following 
 reservation embracing it is declared, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. 
 namely : 
 
 Take for the initial point a stake in the southwest corner of the fort lot, planted in 
 the fence along the river street, five hundred and seventy-five feet from the southwest 
 corner of Fort Benton through thfs stake run a due north and south line across the 
 river, extending it on the north side of the Missouri to the Teton river. Upon this 
 north and south line measure a distance of five hundred yards, south from the south 
 bank of the Missouri River, through which point run an east and west line extending 
 east one mile from the point last determined ; thence north to the Teton River, thence 
 along the bank of said river to the intersection of the north and south line herein men- 
 tioned, thence south to the place of beginning. 
 
 The commanding officer of Fort Beuton will cause to be erected permanent cut 
 stones, firmly embedded in the ground, at each of the points heretofore described ; on 
 the inner faces of each stone the letters " U. S." will be painted or cut, and on the outer- 
 face of each stone the words " Military Reservation." 
 By command of Major General Hancock : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General* 
 Official : 
 
 E. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General* 
 
 [General Orders No. 79.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 Ht. Paul, Minnesota, November 13, 1869. 
 
 General OrdersNo. 46, current series, from these headquarters, is amended as follows r 
 subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lauds inclosed by the here- 
 inafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military pur- 
 poses, and are declared to be the military reservation of the post of Fort Sully, Dakota 
 Territory : 
 
 The initial point is at a limestone rock, (set in the side of a hill, with the letter " R'* 
 cut in its face, five chains and seventy-two links south one degree east of a limestone- 
 rock on the northwest face of the basin of a large, never-failing spring near the head- 
 waters of Spring Creek, which latter rock has a hole drilled in its face, and the letters. 
 " U. S. R." marked upon it ; thence from the initial point south sixty-five degrees west 
 to a point at low-water mark on the eastern bank of an island, known as Wa-Ka-boju 
 Island, which point is marked by^a square cut stone with the letters " U. S. R." cut in 
 its face ; thence along the eastern shore of said island in a southerly direction to the 
 southernmost point of the same, which point is marked by a square cut stone with the 
 letters " U. S. R." cut in its face ; thence south sixty-five degress west to a point across, 
 the Missouri River, distant one-half a mile from the center of the river channel, which 
 point is marked by a square cut stone with the letters " U. S. R." cut in its face ; thence 
 up and along the west bank of the Missouri River, as it winds, parallel to the center of 
 the river channel and half a mile distant therefrom, to a point marked by a square cut 
 stone with the letters " U. S. R." cut in its face, which last-mentioned point is south 
 seventy-five degrees west from a granite boulder on the east bank of the Missouri River, 
 marked with the letters " U. S. R." cut in its face ; thence north seventy-five degree* 
 east one hundred and ninety -four and three-quarters chains, to a limestone rock with 
 the letter " R" cut in its face ; thence south forty-five degrees east eight hundred and 
 eighty-nine chains and forty-five links to a limestone rock with the letter " R" cut iu 
 its face ; thence south sixty-five degrees west forty-one chains and eighty links to the 
 initial point, being forty-two square miles, or 27,275 acres, more or less. 
 
 By command of Major General Hancock: 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official: 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General*
 
 32 RECONNOISSANCE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA. 
 
 [General Orders No. 93.] 
 
 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota, December 17, 183'J. 
 
 Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, the public lands inclosed by the 
 hereinafter described survey are hereby reserved to the United States for military pur- 
 poses, and declared to be tiie military reservation of the post of Fort Ellis, Montana 
 Territory: 
 
 Beginning at the quarter post on the east line of section eight, township two south, 
 of range six east of the principal meridian, Territory of Montana ; thence south seven 
 and one-half miles; thence east four miles; thence north three miles; thence west 
 one mile ; thence north three and three-quarter miles ; thence west one mile ; thence 
 north three quarters of a mile; thence west two miles to the place of beginning, em- 
 bracing the south half of sections nine and ten, the south half of section fourteen, and 
 the south half of the north half of section fourteen, the whole of sections fifteen, sixteen, 
 twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-six, twenty -seven, twenty-eight, thirty- 
 three, thirty-four, and thirty-five, in township numbered two south, of range six east 
 of the principal meridian, Territory of Montana ; and also the whole of sections one, 
 two, three, four, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen, in 
 township numbered three south, of range six east of the principal meridian, Territory 
 of Montana. 
 
 The commanding officer of Fort Ellis will cause to be erected at the apex of each of 
 the four angles of the northern boundaries of the above-described reservation a square 
 ut stone, one foot on the edge and three and one-half feet in length, firmly embedded 
 eighteen inches in the ground. On the inner surface of each stone the letters " U. S." 
 will be chiseled or cut ; on the outer face of each stone will be painted the words 
 " Military Reservation." The apex of each of the other angles of the reservation will 
 l)e marked by a large mound of loose stones. 
 
 By command of Major General Hancock : 
 
 O. D. GREENE, 
 Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Official : 
 
 R. CHANDLER, 
 Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
 
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