James's Account of S.H. Long's Expedition, 1819-1820 (Volume 15)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1905. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... amounting to more than sixty. On the way several bisons were killed, and three calves were taken alive in the chase, by throwing nooses over their heads. On the 6th we arrived at the Missouri, after an absence of sixteen days. Much of the information we acquired, respecting the manners, &c. of the Pawnees, is incorporated in the account of the Indians of the Missouri, in some of the preceding chapters of this work. 93 CHAPTER VII V Journey by Land from St. Louis to Council Bluff--Grand River--Plains at the Sources of the Little Platte, the Nishnebottona, &c.--Departure of the Expedition from Engineer Cantonment. While the transactions above detailed were passing, Major Long had returned from the seat of government. On the 24th of April 1820, he arrived at St. Louis, on his way from Philadelphia to Council Bluff, to rejoin the party. He was accompanied by Captain John R. Bell, attached to the exploring Expedition by order from the War Department, and by Dr. E. James, who had been appointed to serve as botanist and geologist, in consequence of recommendations from the Honourable Secretary of the Navy, from Dr. Torrey and Captain Le Conte. 0 John R. Bell was a New Yorker, who was graduated from West Point in 1812, and served in the light artillery through the War of 1812-13. For a short time prior to his departure for the Missouri, he was commandant of cadets and instructor in infantry tactics at West Point. Afterwards he was in garrison at Savannah and Fort Moultrie; breveted major in 1824, he died the succeeding year. For sketch of Edwin James, the compiler of this account of the expedition, see preface of volume xiv. The secretary of the navy at this time was Smith Thompson, of New York (1768-1843). He succeeded George Crowinshield, of Massachusetts, in t...