to work on the survey of the military reserve at Fort Bridger, to return to Camp Floyd. as the general commanding wished me to make a reconnaissance west of that post, over the Great Salt Lake Desert, before winter.

September 30.-Party still employed in grading hill near camp, and making a bridge across ravine. I left for Fort Bridger; Lieutenant Torbert accompanying me as far as Lieutenant Jones' camp, in order to look over the road with me and receive instructions. He returned to his own camp the same afternoon. I examined the work done by Lieutenant Jones in the bottom of the cañon, and went over a portion of the route with him to point out the best location. At this locality Major Whiting ascended the left or south bluff of the cañon by a very steep hill, and descended again by as steep a one; indeed, so steep was the ascent of the latter, that it required my teams to be doubled, and in addition the assistance of Lieutenant Jones' party to push the wagons up. The road, therefore, here, has been cut through the willows in the river bottom. I encamped for the night with Lieutenant Jones.

October 1, 2, and 3.-Arrived at Fort Bridger about noon, October 3; but little work has been required between White Clay creek and Fort Bridger. The principal is the causewaying the slough just after crossing Bear river, the grading of the hill four miles beyond, (or east) and the grading of the ravine immediately from the Muddy Fork to the table land beyond, (or east.)

October 4.-The day spent in examining the accounts and paying off some of the party.

October 5.-Severe rain all day; engaged in writing letters and giving instructions to Lieutenant Smith in relation to the survey of the

reserve.

October 6.-Left for headquarters, department of Utah; Mr. Engelmann, geologist, in company. Passed, since October 2, several contractors' trains, going in whole or in part on the new route, to all of which I furnished itineraries. Met Lieutenant Jones October 8, near the head of White Clay creek, on his return to Fort Bridger; reiterated orders about bad crossings requiring to be graded more, and specifying some of them. Directed him to "corduroy" or log the slough before referred to, to the east of Bear river, and also, if he had time, to make the side-hill excavations marked out by me for him on the tongue of land four miles to the east of Bear river. On passing down White Clay creek found that Lieutenant Torbert, according to my instructions, had changed the road from the bluff, at the mouth of the creek, to the river bottom; had materially improved the road upon the divide between Weber river and Silver creek, and also ob viated two bad fords of the Timpanogos, and otherwise improved the road in the upper cañon of that river. Met three contractors' trains, which had come on the new road from Echo cañon. Overtook Lieutenant Torbert and party at American Fork settlement, on his way back to Camp Floyd. Encamped with him for the night, and the next day the whole party reached Camp Floyd.

Comparison of the new and old route by Echo cañon.

The only wagon route from Fort Bridger to the valley of Great Salt Lake City which the people of this Territory, emigrants to and from California, and Indian traders have, up to the opening of the new route, been in the habit of travelling, has been that by Echo cañon and the Big and Little mountains.

This route has always been very objectionable, both on the score of the deficiency of grass and its exceedingly rough, mountainous character; but as there was none other than that by Soda Springs, which required a detour of about one and a half degree of latitude out of the way, there was no alternative. The new route, however, which I have opened, has no such hills or mountains to go over, and the grades of the divides, generally, are very fair for a mountain road. In point of grass and water it is far superior to the old road; and in respect to fuel, equally good, if not better. The consequence has been, that since the opening of the road nearly all of the government as well as contractors' trains have been travelling it, in whole or in part, in preference to the old one. The agent of the contractors, Messrs. Russell, Major & Co., (Mr. Garrison,) has informed me that some of the trains left Fort Bridger by the new route after others which had taken the old, and the former had reached Camp Floyd and been discharged before the arrival of the latter. There is no doubt that a great deal of draught and beef stock has been saved by the opportune opening of the new route, and to it I think must be attributed no little portion of the success which has attended the efforts of the contractors in getting in their trains before winter. The route, then, is a good one for bringing pack animals and herds of cattle into the Great Salt Lake valley early in the spring and late in the fall.

Work to be done upon the road next spring.

The working parties under Lieutenants Torbert and Jones were successful in opening the road and making it passable, but still the short period for which they were provisioned did not permit them to do all that was required to make it such as it ought to be. Besides, the teams which have gone over the road have very much cut it up in places, on account of its being new. I would therefore respectfully suggest that working parties, from both extremes of the road, be ordered early next spring to repair it, and put it in the condition it should be. The points which would require special attention are the soft bottom in the upper portion of the upper cañon of Timpanogos river; the divide between Silver creek and the Weber, particularly the sideling place near the Weber; the causewaying of a few yards between the crossing of the Weber and White Clay creek; the bridging of a little miry stream near Porter's creek; the causewaying the bottom of White Clay creek over some beaver dam land, or carrying the road on the table land, or side hills, as might be deemed

best; the causewaying or bridging the slough just beyond Bear river; and the grading of the tongue of land four miles beyond, which Lieutenant Jones was instructed to effect, but which, in all probability, the expenditure of his rations did not permit him to accomplish, and the grading of some of the hills toward Fort Bridger.

Connexions with the old road.

The new road connects with the old by the Parley's Park road down the Weber to the mouth of Echo cañon, in a distance of five miles; also by the Fort Supply road down Sulphur creek, a distance of 3 miles; also down the Muddy Fork in 3 miles. The two first connexions have been in frequent requisition by the trains since the road was opened.

Military features of the route.

These are mainly the lower cañon of the Timpanogos and the two cañons in White Clay creek. These cañons, on account of the impossibility of commanding them from adjacent heights or turning them, are points of prime importance in keeping the road open to our troops, or obstructing it to an enemy.

They, therefore, in case of an emergency, should be the first points seized and fortified. In this connexion, and as conducive to the same end, an excellent position for a post would probably be on the valley of Utah Lake, near the mouth of, and upon the Timpanogos river. The valley of the Timpanogos would prove valuable for stock grazing, and frequently, as I think, all winter, and the position would be such as to command the valley.

The water is pure and abundant, and wood can be obtained near. Should it be the intention of the government ever to occupy this position, the whole of the valley of the Timpanogos should, in my opinion, be a part of the reserve. The necessities of the post in reference to wood and grass would seem to require it.

Another excellent position would be in Weber valley, possibly midway between the mouth of Echo cañon and that of White Clay creek, or, at any rate, in the vicinity of the mouth of White Clay creek, above or below it, in the valley of the Weber. Such a position would be in striking distance of the defiles of both of these cañon creeks; and as grass, wood, and water abound in the vicinity, there would be every facility for the erection and maintenance of such a post. The reserve about the post should include a large portion of the Weber valley and also the whole of White Clay creek valley.

Complimentary.

In concluding this portion of my report, it would do injustice to my feelings if I did not bring to the notice of the commanding general the very efficient aid I received from Lieutenant Torbert, the officer in immediate charge of the working party. Ever prompt in execu

tion, I found him no less judicious in the application of the labor he commanded; and it is a gratification to me that I am enabled to make this honorable mention of him. I have also to acknowledge the valuable assistance I received from Assistant Surgeon Bailey, who was always ready to aid in any mode which might further the work. I also believe it my duty to mention the zeal and good judgment displayed by Sergeant Kopp, company G, 5th infantry, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the party, in the discharge of his duties; as also worthy of special commendation the able, industrious, and persistent manner in which the two privates, J. McConnell, company C, and Flannery, company G, 10th infantry, did their work. The men generally did their work manfully and well, but those two are worthy of special remark for their superior industry and energy.

Itinerary.

Appended will be found an itinerary, marked B, of the new route from Camp Floyd to Fort Bridger, giving all the necessary information in relation to wood, water, and grass.

Exploration southwest of Camp Floyd.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF UTAH,

Camp Floyd, U. T., October 15, 1858.

SIR: As preliminary to more extended examinations in the spring of the country west of Rush valley, in order to ascertain its facilities for grazing purposes and the practicability of opening a road for general travelling direct from the camp to Carson valley or the lower parts of the Humboldt river, the commanding general directs that as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made for carrying out his wishes, you proceed to the examination of the country designated, passing from Rush into Skull valley by the cañon connecting the two near Johnson's settlement, on Clover creek, and extending your explorations as far as you deem it prudent to venture, considering the condition of your animals and the lateness of the season.

From the base of the bench lands in the east of Skull valley to the Goshoot mountains, (about 50 miles,) the country is represented as a vast clay flat, destitute of vegetation and water, except about midway, at the Granite mountains, and in the spring almost impassable for wagons. Anticipating that a practicable road during the travelling season will be found on the southern rim of this basin, the commanding general wishes you on your outward journey to avoid as much of this mud flat as possible, and examine the bench lands to the south, especially with regard to facilities for grazing; and if you think a good natural road possible and advantageous, to ascertain the practicability of obtaining water by sinking wells if needed.

The commanding general authorizes you to employ a few laborers and guides, and also an interpreter, as the country you will be able

to explore this fall is occupied by bands of Indians, many of whom are represented as hostile to the settlers in this country. You may also procure through him much useful information from the Indians in regard to other bands, as well as of the country.

It is in contemplation to establish a military post on the most eligible road to California, and it is in the view of ascertaining the eligibility of this route that the exploration is directed.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain JAMES H. SIMPSON,

F. J. PORTER, Assistant Adjutant General.

Topographical Engineers, Camp Floyd, U. T.

Special orders, No. 103.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF UTAH,

Camp Floyd, U. T., October 18, 1858.

An escort of one officer and thirty-five men (1 non-commissioned officer and 10 dragoons and 3 non-commissioned officers and 21 infantry) will be furnished by the commander of Camp Floyd to Captain James H. Simpson, Topographical Engineers, charged with the exploration, for special purposes, of the country west of Skull valley.

The detachment will be rationed for 25 days from to-morrow morning, when it will march. The officer designated will immediately confer with Captain Simpson on the arrangements for fitting out the party. The chief quartermaster will direct the transportation, tools, &c., to be furnished on estimate by the officer. By order of Brevet Brigadier General Johnston.

F. J. PORTER, Assistant Adjutant General.

I. In compliance with special orders, No. 103, dated headquarters department of Utah, October 18, 1858, First Lieutenant Gurden Chapin, 7th infantry, with one non-commissioned officer and 10 privates from the 2d dragoons, and 3 non-commissioned officers and 10 privates from the 7th infantry, and one non-commissioned officer and 11 privates from the 10th regiment of infantry, will constitute an escort to Captain Jas. H. Simpson, Topographical Engineers, charged with the exploration, for special purposes, of the country west of Skull valley. The detachment will march to-morrow morning, and be rationed for 25 days. Lieutenant Chapin will confer immediately with Captain Simpson on the arrangements for fitting out the party, and make estimate on the chief quartermaster for transportation, tools, &c.