Over the prairie

The narrative records an 1856 expedition from Fort Ripley, Minnesota, to Fort Pierre, South Dakota, by way of Fort Snelling, then by steamer to Fort Ridgely, and across the bad lands. The text describes the forts and country through which they passed and records army life in a humorous manner. There are annotations in other hands, including notes to a "Compositor." The narrative is illustrated by 21 original drawings and watercolors by Cap. Alfred Sully