36 WESTERN INCIDENTS.

V.

A DAY AT FORT JOHN BUFORD,“ ON THE LARAMIE PLAINS—wMR,
WILLIAMS’ LETTER—EASTWARD BOUND—-DEATH OF THE ELK—
CROSSING OF THE BLACK HILLS AT EVANS’ PASS—DESCENT
TOWARDS THE PLAINS—CAMP ON DALE CREEK—-LONE ROCK—
NARROW ESCAPE OF A HERD OF ELK—CAMP ON LONE TREE—
BOX-ELDER—-DEATH OF THE ANTELOPE—RETURN TO LAPORTE.

Larortr, Conorapo, Monday, October 1, 1866.

Thursday, the 27th of September, was spent by our
party at and about Fort John Buford, on the Laramie
Plains. Mr. Evans and myself took a leisurely ride in
the afternoon, of some seven or eight miles down the
Laramie River, for the purpose of inspecting one of the
crossings proposed for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr.
Williams employed himself in posting up his notes,
writing letters, and examining maps and profiles with
General Dodge. And the General himself examined,
with his military eye, in company with Colonel Mizner,
the extensive warehouses, barracks, ete., which were in
process of construction for the better accommodation
and protection of the troops and their supplies.

The following letter was written by Mr. Williams on
the day of our sojourn at the Fort, a copy of which he
has kindly furnished me :—

Fort Joun Burorp, Daxoran Territory, September 27, 1866.
To the Editor of the Fort Wayne Gazette—
My last was from Berthoud Pass, September 18th. The day was
delightful. The next day we encountered a snow storm. Stopping
half way down the eastern slope of the mountain, we found the snow

 

 

* Name since changed to ‘‘ Fort Saunders.”