Captain James L. Fisk led a party of gold miners across North Dakota in 1862 and 1863, following approximately the same course that Governor Stevens had taken earlier. He was escorting the miners to the gold fields in Montana. Many of these men were leaving to escape being drafted for the Civil War so they had their families with them, too. A 12-pound howitzer was obtained at Fort Abercrombie and taken along to frighten the Indians. They had little problem with them; however the latter were annoyed with the trespassers and the wanton shooting of the buffalo.

"It took 19 weeks to make the trip. Each wagon was given a number and place in the train. There were 117 men, 13 women, 60 wagons, 168 oxen, 8 mules, 14 teams of horses, 13 saddle horses, 17 cows and dogs 'too numerous to mention'."

"Cupid played his part by uniting the hearts of Miss Caroline Abbot, Boston, Mass., and Henry F. Tyler, St. Anthony, Minnesota on July 14th while in camp on the Sheyenne River, south of Kindred. An army officer, using the Episcopal marriage service pronounced them man and wife. It was a moonlit night; a dance with violin music was held on the velvety green prairie.

"A son was born August 7, 1862 in the vicinity of Ft. Union to Mr. and Mrs. Stark, who were members of the expedition." (W. D. Powell, Spocksfield's History of Wells County, pg. 574-77)

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 23