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

LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
picked men, on his duty; and he will be instructed carefully to explore the region along, and
south and west of, the Cheyenne river, connecting, if possible, with Lieutenant Grover's route.
He has choice animals and spare horses for reconnoitring. I entertain no apprehensions as to
hostile Indians. He will join me south of the Miniwakan lake.
The sketch indicates the course of Lieutenant Grover, of my proposed course to the second
crossing of the Cheyenne river, and the relative position of the two routes to the direct course
from the Sauk crossing to the mouth of the Yellowstone.
The country thus far is exceedingly favorable for a railroad. I am confident no grade to this
point will be found of more than twenty feet. The Cheyenne is a great obstacle, and the indications are very decided that the line must go south. I have indicated a practicable railroad
route. Its cost, without equipment, will not exceed twenty thousand dollars per mile. No
important deflection is made. The crossing of the Cheyenne at this point would cost, say one
hundred thousand dollars. Twenty miles west, at the point A, not fifty thousand dollars.
The line by Dead Colt Hillock will, I think, be better. But when I reach the Yellowstone
and have Lieutenant Grover's work before me, I shall be able to report more definitely on this
portion of the route.
I must make my acknowledgment for the promptitude and efficiency shown by the civil engineers, Mr. Tinkman and Mr. Lander, in the work on the railroad explorations.
Very truly yours,
ISAAC I. STEVENS,
Governor, &c., it Charge of Expedition.
Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS,
Secretary of War.
CAMP CUSHIING, NEAR FORT UNION,
A4ugutst 8, 1853.
SIR: I have the honor to report to the department, that since the date of my last communication at Camp McClelland, upon the Cheyenne river, the party has advanced with rapid marches
up to this point, where we arrived at noon on August 1st. The detached party under Lieut.
Grover, which was referred to in my communication as having been despatched by a southern
route'by the Dead Colt Hillock, arrived six days in advance of us, with information concerniug
the route of the most satisfactory character. The animals are all in fine condition; our marches
the last nine days having exceeded an average of twenty miles, and but two are at this time
unserviceable. The very short time to make up my mail at this time-as the steamer, which
only arrived last evening, returns at noon to-day-will permit only the brief statement of our
general success, reserving a full report until my arrival at Fort Benton.
A broad belt of country has been thoroughly examined, the courses of Cheyenne river, and of
the valley of the Mouse river, have been brought in by side reconnaissance, and excellent
practicable routes for a railroad ascertained. From this point I shall move to-day for Fort
Benton, which will be reached in twenty-five days. The command will be divided into two
parties, one under my own supervision, with Lieutenant Grover in charge of the scientific
details, taking the usually travelled road by Milk river, and the second under Lieutenant
Donelson, pursuing a route some fifty miles to the northward, on which the most prominent
landmark is the Cypress mountain, in which rise streams flowing into both the Saskatchewam
and the Missouri rivers. I have secured excellent guides, by one of whom I am assured that
hae will lead us to a pass in the mountains through which the whole wagon train can be takena pass through which, from Fort Benton to the St. Mary's village, an express train can move
in four days, a pack train in seven, and a wagon train in fifteen days. Everything looks
extremely favorable, and I doubt not in the least that by the last of September we shall have
crossed the mountains. As regards the Indians, I take pleasure in reporting that we have met
two large encampments of Assiniboins, by whom we have been received with unbounded hospi
20