Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 1, Pt. 2

INSTRUCTIONS TO CIVIL ENGINEER.
object; and the arrangements which you make you will communicate to me at the earliest practicable moment.
From Sauk rapids you will continue your reconnaissances of the country westward, examining the various routes. You are not confined to any specific route, but, keeping in mind the
line over which the main train will pass, much is left to your own judgment.
In the map of Nicollet, accompanying this, several probable routes are laid down: one crossing the Cheyenne river but once, and passing just south of the Miniwakan lake; a second
crossing the river twice, and passing some twenty or thirty miles south of the lake; a third
keeping at the headwaters of the southern tributaries of the same river, in the general direction of Dead Colt Hillock, and north of the Coteau des Prairies. All these routes, there is
reason to believe, can be pursued, and they are referred to simply to call your attention to the
magnitude and extent of the work of the expedition through that region. You will endeavor
to keep me advised of your movements, and may expect me to join you before you have advanced
far into the interior.
You will give special attention to the several river crossings on the Red river trail, so far as
it will be pursued by the main party, and will make such arrangements for the crossings as you
may deem advisable.
Endeavor to replace the two teamsters sent with your wagon to-day, and send them back to
camp; send in all the good men you come across. Engage none but hardy fellows to assist
you, and such men as will be useful in the whole expedition, should their services be needed.
Purchase the four-mule team at Fort Ripley, and have it at Sauk rapids for the main party,
with two good teamsters.
I am, very truly, &c.,
F. W. LANDER, Esq.
ISAAC I. STEVENS.
CAMP PIERCE, May 31, 1853.
DEAR SIR: You have already received verbal instructionis to take the field to-day and enter
upon your duties as one of the associate civil engineers on the northern Pacific railroad exploration.
The general course reconnoitred by your associate, Mr. Lander, east of the Mississippi river,
from St. Paul's to the crossing of the Mississippi above the Sauk rapids, will be pursued by
you; and, whilst you will collect as much data in reference to the details of the construction as
practicable, you will arrange the scale of it so that with your present force, with a few days'
experience, you will be able to make fifteen or twenty miles per day.
You will connect the camp, and the magnetic and astronomical observations, with your route;
and at each camping-ground leave some mark, as a blazed tree, whereby future observations
can be connected with your work. You will also note in your journal good points for camping,
with brief notes as to grass, water, and wood for camp-fires. Keep up the sketches with care.
The variation of the needle will be furnished in season.
You will probably reach the Sank rapids a day or two in advance of the main train, and will
be able to make a rapid instrumental survey of the same. I have instructed Mr. Lander to
make arrangements for the crossing at that point; and should the main body not reach you,
you will cross the river without delay and work westward.
Should you, on special occasions or for permanent services, find it necessary to engage more
men, you are authorized to do so-recollecting that it will be necessary, so far as practicable,
to reduce the scale of the work, abridging the quantity of the data, rather than to increase the
force.
A written report will be required, to include the crossing of the Mississippi; and I will sug 3f
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