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) (14574196169).jpg

Identifier: reportsofexplora03unit_0 (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

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o remain here during the day and make explorations. Some of the survey-ing and reconnoitring parties employed themselves in plotting their notes. The astronomicaland meteorological assistants carried on their computations ; while another division, taking the * A term applied to a dense growth of bushes or small trees. EXCURSION TO THE CANADIAN.—GAINES CREEK. 13 guide, explored in a northerly direction, twelve miles, to the Canadian river. Two ranges ofmountains, or rather high hills, were crossed between camp and the Canadian. The valley ofthe river is several miles in width. The stream itself, at the mouth of Long-town creek,*supposed to he some twenty-five miles above the junction of the Canadian with the Arkansas,is about 360 feet broad. The water flows sluggishly ; is of a whitish color, nearly clear, andless than knee-deep. In the valley are great numbers of large hickory trees, cedars, and oaks.An interesting collection of plants, shells, and fishes was obtained at this place.
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Canadian river, at tlie niuuth of Long-town creek. August 4—Camp 10.—Desiring to make greater progress, we had the tents struck at daybreak,but to little purpose. The road proved exceedingly rough, being crossed by deep gullies, wornby the rains that had washed from the hills to the Sans Bois, upon our left. To repair it wouldhave occupied too much time, and two wagons were broken while pitching down one of thesehollows, producing a long delay. Passing into the bottom lands belonging to Gaines creek,the foliage of the forest seemed too dense to allow the sun to warm the earth or evaporate themoisture, and the road was one long succession of miry sloughs and muddy pools. Havingtravelled seventeen and a half miles, we encamped upon La Honda, a branch of Gaines creek.The survey had made good progress over ground favorable for a railway. The distances were 14 PERRYS FARM—CHICKASAW VILLAGE.—COAL MEASURES. measured by odometer, and the party arrived at camp before dark. Being surrou

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