OCR Text |
Show 176 troops of infantry were sent from Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming and Fort Sidney, Nebraska. The fort was rapidly constructed, and was ready for the inspection of General Crook by July, 1887. Crook's Chief Quartermaster Colonel T. H. Stanton wrote a short report and included a map showing the condition of the post. On the basis of the report President Grover Cleveland set aside the military reservation of six square miles on September 1, 1887. Colonel Stanton's letter is as follows: Fort Duchesne, Utah The cantonment is located on the right bank of the Uintah River about eight miles above its junction with the Duchesne River and about eighteen miles west of the point where the Duchesne empties into Green River (see sketch Map herewith). The Uintah Ute Indian Agency is twelve miles west of the Post on the Uintah River, the Uncompahgre Ute Agency (which is a sub-agency to the first mentioned) is at the mouth of the Duchesne, eighteen miles east. It is commonly called Ouray. X X X X The present nearest point of Railroad communication is at Price Station on the Denver & Rio Grand R. R. The distance as measured with an odometer is seventy six miles (76) (see sketch map.) The road Is excellent for a mountain country and will not ordinarily be obstructed by snow. There is plenty or wood and water and a fair supply of grass. It is also well sheltered more than half «the way, passing thirteen miles out from Price through Soldier Creek Catfon five miles, thence over a divide into Nine Mile Catfon, thence five miles down Minnie Maud Catfon, thence six miles up Gate Canon and thence for ten miles down Dry or Gamma Grass Carfon. From where the road |