This Record Listing summarizes various
supporting information listed on this site, and is grouped into readily
accessible general categories. If you are researching these files, and require
additional information, email the WebMaster.
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& the Contributors, as applicable.
© 2007 YGF – WebMaster
Sunday, October 14,
2007 Revision Date for added-corrected
linkages and records loaded into the MSGS Site.
montana_cal”AT”auroraholdingsllc.com
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Record Type
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Area of Coverage
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Links and Off-line Record Details
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Brief Bio Details
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Yellowstone County
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1871 & 1873 NPR Surveys
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The 1871route
survey started out from Bozeman
in the late fall, and ran easterly to a point near the mouth of Pryor’s
Creek; to a location they called “Place-of-the-Skulls.” The route was on
the north side of the Yellowstone
River. In 1872 two
survey parties were established, one starting out from Bismarck, and one
from the place on the Yellowstone
River that they
abandoned the previous year. They also planned to complete a survey of the
valley from there to the mouth of the Powder River.
Here the two survey teams were expected to meet.
The military commanders, including Baker’s
Battleground activities in detail, report on the routes and Indian Battles.
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General DS Stanley was placed in command of the 1873 survey support
party. He had 1,500 men at his command, plus an abundance of ammunition and
supplies. General Custer, who commanded 450 men of the 7th
Cavalry, was a part of the force. He was assigned the duty of proceeding up
the Yellowstone and looking for a
practical road to be used for the supply wagons and artillery.
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1853 NPR Survey
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Partial Extract of Washington Territory
Governor, Isaac I. Stevens, Report to
Congress in which he establishes the principle northern route for the
proposed railroad. Map of the exploration was published in 1857. Copy
available at WebMaster.
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The actual journey starts in Minnesota, and in Washington
Territory, but only that portion
leading into Montana
is represented by the diary extracts herein. There were three main routes
being examined for consideration by the Congress: Northern, Central and
Southern.
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1853 NPR Route Letter
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After having reached Fort Benton, Washington Territorial Governor,
Isaac I. Stevens, who was placed in charge of establishing the
practicality of putting a railroad through the upper portions of Montana, for the
NPR, presented his first letter about the Indians he encountered along the
way.
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As part of the survey, numerous reports, detailing the vile treatment
received by the Indians from various white men who were trying to gain
financial advantage by using government goods for personal gain, without
regard to the pain and discomfort thrust upon the Indians.
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1878 Survey Notes
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General Description (Tp 1S, Range 26E) W.W. deLacy Field Notes. Oct 22,
1878. Verifies that the packet steamer “Josephine” tied to tree on
Cochran’s land in 1877, after he had established a home there. Locates
other buildings in 1878.
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Copied directly from the field notes
prepared by deLacy. This is one of five source notes related specifically
to the steamer’s journey on the Yellowstone
River in 1877 only.
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Yellowstone River
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The early land surveyors created an excellent
picture of the land conditions during their initial visits to the area
south of the Yellowstone
River. Compiled from
the original 878-1904 Land Survey Notes. Used in locating portions of
trails in the South hills area.
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These survey
notes cover the Yellowstone River’s right bank and terrain eastward into the
hilly area, essential to the identification of Sawyers First Expedition
across the South Hills area of Yellowstone
County for clearing a new trail to
Bozeman.
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1805-1874 Surveys
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Tabulated
survey routes occurring in local areas between 1805 & 1874.
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Identifies commanders, military protection, survey comments and maps
generated.
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Survey Notes
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Survey summary
notes taken from the military journals and used to help locate maps,
and where the events occurred. 1870-1876. Instructions for steamer
Josephine’s use in 1875 is noted.
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Created as a handy source to assist in map-making for the events.
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Survey Routes
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Portions of the major
surveys and expeditions that touch upon or travel through the local Yellowstone area are shown in the table.
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Others, such as the De Smet, Hunt, Lewis & Clark, Montana Land Surveys, Nicollet, Bozeman and Bridger trails are not shown
here.
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Surveys & Reconnaissances
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This file of short excerpts from various
government files identifies the surveys and
reconnaissance of the areas in or nearby the Yellowstone River.
Where map sketches are available they are shown in highlighted Blue Titles. There are over 100 such local
surveys recorded for the local area, but only a few have been transcribed.
The
Raynold’s Expedition in 1859-1861 formulated the best description of
the local area.
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The system of exploration was established to be under the command of a
member of the Corps of Engineers, and occasionally supported by the
Military Commands for protection. To support the Corps, the leader would
occasionally take along qualified civilians as part of their retinue. The
Expedition Commander submitted detailed reports about the trip, along with
maps and attached sub-corps commander reports.
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Raynold’s 1859 Exploration
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Exploration of
the Yellowstone River – 1859, By Brevet Brigadier General W. F. Raynolds.
“To accomplish these objects most effectually the
expedition should proceed by the Missouri river to Fort Pierre.
Here a large number of the Dakotas will be assembled to receive their
annuities, and overtures should be made to obtain their assent to your
proceeding to the source of Powder river by the Shayenne and its north
fork, by which a new route leading west from the Missouri river should be
examined.”
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The report was released six years later, on 13 February 1866, following
the end of the Civil War. Jim Bridger was guide for the trip into the
Montana & Wyoming Territories that took them from Fort
Pierre to the Platte River
at Richard’s Bridge.
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