File:Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean (1855) (14573164788).jpg

Identifier: reportsofexplora121unit (find matches)
Title: Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean
Year: 1855 (1850s)
Authors: United States. War Dept Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 United States. Army. Corps of Engineers
Subjects: Pacific railroads Discoveries in geography Natural history Indians of North America
Publisher: Washington : A.O.P. Nicholson, printer (etc.)
Contributing Library: San Francisco Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
o start until the 20th ofMay. Accordingly I determined to remain in St Louis to complete the arrangements for trans-portation and to provide for the establishment of a depot at the mouth of the Yellowstone. At St. Louis, also, I secured the services of Alexander Culbertson, esq., as special agentamong the Blackfeet Indians. He had resided many years among this tribe, and has had chargeof the forts of the American Fur Company on the Missouri. His reputation is decidedly highas a man of character and great influence over these Indians. On the 21st the Fur Companys boat left St. Louis, having on board the supplies intended tomeet us at Fort Union, with the party under Lieutenant Donelson, already referred to, withthe addition of Dr. Evans, the geologist of the exploration. Lieutenant Donelson is instructedto make the best possible survey of the Missouri that is permitted by his circumstances as apassenger on the steamboat, and to prepare a report on the capacity of the Upper Missouri for
Text Appearing After Image:
NARRATIVE OF 1853. 35 steamboat navigation, giving particular attention to obstructions in. the river, and the cost andmeans of removing them. During Mr. Grahams stay in St. Louis he had the misfortune to let his chronometer rundown. Dr. Evans, on reaching Fort Union, was to leave the steamer, make an examination ofthe country southward, especially in the Mauvaises Terres, and thence proceed on his over-land journey to Oregon and Washington, meeting us at Forts Union and Benton. Special AgentCulbertson was instructed to send forward an express on his arrival at Fort Union, with presentsof tobacco for the Blackfeet, to advise them of the expedition about passing through theircountry, and to secure suitable guides and hunters to accompany us. Before startiug from St. Louis to go up the Mississippi I became seriously alarmed on accountof the character of the mules which had been contracted for by the quartermaster for theexpedition. They were sound, excellent animals, but many of them wereportsofexplora121unit

Note About Images