, from Minnesota, which, according to the arrangement between Generals Sibley and Sully, was to join the expedition there. Scouting parties were sent on north toward Bois Cache Creek t

, dressed in a spotless new uniform of the latest regulation cut, set off by a red silk sash and a resplendent sabre-belt, and very strongly perfumed with musk. General Sully, like General Grant, was very modest in his dress, and his uniform, except for the shoulder-straps, differed little from that of a private, while sometimes in the field he even wore civilian garments, such as cor

he fledgeling officer for presentation, "allow me to intr

eral. "Well, Lieutenant, how long hav

o feel conscious that such a lengthy period had

s knee. "Why, great Heavens, man, I've been in the regular se

n Broeck to indicate that the interview was ended,

as many had feared there might be, since the Minnesota troops had been obliged to make a march of nearly three hundred and fifty miles from Fort Ridgely to the rendezvous. That the junction of the two brigades was effected so promptly in that vast wilderness was a matter for congratulation, and General Sully seemed to feel that

aying cards, or otherwise amusing themselves. Long lines of cavalry horses extended between the company streets, securely tied to picket lines; and near the creek a large train of wagons was corralled, its outspanned mule teams, crowded within the great circle of wagons, seeming almost countless. As he walked along through the haze of dust made golden by the setting sun, Al

aimed. "Say, but I'm gla

ed, then sprang to his fe

earth are you doing here? I had no i

St. Louis to help look for my bro

just before the column left Minnesota, and as soon as I did, I enlisted." He loo

serving just about the same as a soldier.

. "Lucky boy. That must be

of the boys knew the main facts of the other's h

," said Wallace, presently. "You remember Sergeant

ling with quickened pulses the S

and he is in command of our artillery; two six-pounder field g

n for his work at Fort Ridgely,

allace, "and his men sa

t Sheehan alo

own? He is chief of scouts with us, and has a company of about fifty Indians. Then there are several

re in your brig

nd of the brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Rogers is actually commanding the regiment. Then there are four companies of the Thirtieth Wisconsin, under Colonel Dill, and six companies of the Second Minnesota Cavalry under Colonel McLaren, besides the artillery and a train of ninety-three

n't stay very long in one place and find forage e

t few days, were wrapped in deep slumber; but all around the camps were heavy guards, and the sentries, alert and watchful, were pacing their beats. They looked shadowy and ghost-like under the starlight as Al passed along, making his way through the company streets of little white dog-t

l Montana, which should serve not only to hold the Indians in check but also to protect emigrants going through the Sioux country from the East, across Dakota, to the new Montana gold-mining districts. A well marked trail had become established through this section since 1862, but the hostility of the Indians was such tha

ffered from the dust. Though nearly every one was idle most of the time, Al found plenty to keep him busy. The camp was seven miles from the Missouri, where the steamboats lay, and the Dakota Cavalry was ordered to the river as a guard for them. Then the wagon-train, in sections, went down to reload from the reserve supplies on the boats. Th

ver banks for a suitable site on which to build the new fort. As an escort for the boat he took a company of troops, and most of the members of his staff also went with him; but Al remained with the column, as his duties demanded his presence there. The marches were long but not exha

souri and followed it down to the mouth of the Cannonball River, eight miles south. Along the base of the bluffs extended a long, narrow belt of heavy timber, and another and much larger forest covered the wide valley above the post. Immediately in

s were then unloaded and put to work crossing the rest of the troops and the wagon-train, and the army was soon all assembled on the west bank. Two sawmills, one operated by a steam-engine and the other by horse-power, the entire equipment for which had been brought along, were now started and began rapidly gettin

istricts, who knew their business thoroughly; and with so many hands to do the work it proceeded rapidly. In an incredibly short time barracks for eight companies, officers' quarters, hospital, and s

party of emigrants from Minnesota, which had followed the Second Brigade for the purpose of having the protection of the army in crossing the country between the Missouri and the Yellowstone. There were about a hundred and tw

ment has guaranteed them safe conduct through the Sioux lands and told them that I will look after them. And so here they are, wi

o stay with them," suggeste

r to look after this travelling nursery, and the whole army'll have to potter along and mark time when the Indians are just ahead, so that the lad

you?" ask

ked at the spea

them runaways from the draft, is regarded as of more importance than the success of military operations; at least, that has usually been my experience in the past. Also, a howl would go up all over the country a

had drawn aside in order to see better as he worked. He looked up to see peering in at him two bearded individuals wearing wide-brimmed felt ha

of the wagon as if he were inspecting the shelves of a grocery store. "Gimme a box o

thing," interrupted Al, ta

, jingling some coins in his hand

tores," Al answered. "I'm n

t to hang on to what we've got till we git acrost the Yellowstone. O' course we've got to eat, and the army's got to supply us, 'specially when we're willin' to

en," replied Al, putting emphasis upon the title, for he resented the disrespectf

, followed by the two emigra

had found him and explained the demands of the emigrants. "Of course we haven't

d declined to accept the quartermaster's refusal. Indeed, they became angry and began cond

acon, sharply, tired of their insolence. "I'll take

to him, the General was plainly irrit

e coming campaign," said he. "Some of my boats are now busy bringing up supplies which were left at Farm I

could get 'em from you,"

old yo

t to know," answered

the General. "I simply ca

tue, "if a General and a great big army can let poor emigrants starve to death; folks that are goi

pose?" asked the General, sarcastically. "You're not going bec

grant who had done most of the talking, a little aba

from the Government, regardless of any other considerations. I will afford protection to your train as far as my army is going, but more than that I cannot promise. As for supplies, I am satisfied that you have enough with you to carry you through if you exercise care in their use. I do n

h along," admitted one

ting army supplies while you were with the troops you could be le

his disappointed visitors took t

e reports of those at Fort Sully concerning the great encampment of sixteen hundred lodges of hostiles assembled in a strong position somewhere near the head of Heart River or on the Little Missouri. They claimed that they had experienced the greatest difficulty in getting away from the hostile camp, and had finally been able to do so only on the plea of buffalo-hunting. They further declared that the hostiles were conf

wa Falls, under Captain Hutchison, and the Alone, under Captain Rea, to meet the column with fresh supplies when it should reach the Yellowstone. The Island City was loaded chiefly with corn for the horses, but s

troops, already winding out of sight across the plateau and up through a break in the westward bluffs. "My an

lied Captain Lamont. "But you must remember that the Yellowstone has never b

d don't forget the place you are to meet me,-the Brass

atch for you," an

ut the glasses. "Here's something for you to keep watch with," he continued, handing them to the Captain. "I h

General walked ashore accompanied by his

to follow them. "I hope you will have a good

der what unforeseen circumstances the la

kindly grip. "The same to you. Don't get yourself shot to pieces; a

earnestly. "We're sure to find

garding him with a scowl of hatred, but he gave the fellow hardly a passing thought. He followed the staff at a gallop, and as they passed up the b