556 FROM CANTONMENT STEVENS TO OLYMPIA. 
July 30.—At an early hour we pushed on for Fort Benton, where we arrived at 2 p. m., termi- 
nating a reconnaissance of 552 miles in seventeen travelling days, crossing the mountains twice. 
In fact, not a day was lost on the march, the only delay being five days at Cantonment Stevens. 
The government property at the fort was found to be all safe and in good order. 
From this time until August 16, my hand continued so lame as to prevent me from writing a 
word. On that day I started down the Missouri to make an exploration, and meet the American 
Fur Company’s boats. 
Upon this reconnaissance I have already had the honor to report, under date of December. 
On the day of my return to my post, Mr. Burr arrived there with an express from Lieutenant 
Mullan, bringing me your instructions of June 2, 1854, directing me to proceed to Olympia, Puget- 
sound, by way of Lewis and Clark’s Pass, the St. Mary’s valley, Coeur d’Alene mission, Wallah- 
Wallah, and the Snoqualme Pass. 
In accordance with your instructions, receipts in duplicate were taken from the American Fur 
Company for all the government property in my charge which it was necessary to leave at Fort 
Benton—the property having previously been securely stored. 
By your directions, the standard barometers, thermometers, and hygrometers were left at the 
post; and Mr. J. C. Tevis, a gentleman from St. Louis, coming up in the American Fur Com- 
pany’s boats, to spend the winter at Fort Benton, was solicited by ———— to take charge of the 
observations; and I have no doubt he will take pleasure in complying with the request. 
On Thursday, September 7, although a slight rain was falling, and there was every appear- 
ance of bad weather, we packed up, and made every preparation to start, taking, by your direc- 
tions, only such articles as would be necessary in making the reconnaissance to Olympia. 
All the government horses and mules, and two yoke of oxen, for the use of the special agent in 
the Bitter Root valley, were included in my train. 
At 11 a. m. we left Fort Benton, taking a course up the Teton river, proceeding very slowly, 
on account of the oxen, which were so fat as to be scarcely able to travel. About sundown, 
when we had made fourteen miles, one of the oxen was reported as unable to proceed farther, 
and I ordered one of the men to return with him to Fort Benton, and bring another ox in his 
place. 
When we had proceeded some two miles more another ox gave out, and it was plain that the 
animals were too heavy with fat to endure the trip across the mountains, and I was reluctantly 
compelled to send them back to the fort, taking receipts for them from Mr. Alexander Rose, the 
gentleman in charge of the American Fur Company’s establishment. At dark we encamped on 
the Teton, twenty miles from Fort Benton. My guide, a Blackfoot Indian, left my party to-day, 
and returned to his camp, and I was compelled to send for another. 
The next morning, September 8, we continued up the river, over the same route explored by me 
on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of June. The two barometers which I have taken for field-work are, 
unfortunately, unreliable. One is a syphon, with the attached thermometer broken, and the other 
a closed cistern, which cannot be packed sufficiently tight to prevent it from leaking. I shall, 
however, take observations with both instruments, until it is proved that they are worthless. 
Made to-day 20 miles. 
September 9—Continued up the river, following an old lodge trail which crossed the stream 
frequently. Fire has lately passed over the country, and it is difficult to find an encamping 
ground affording sufficient grass for the animals. At 4 p. m. we reached a point where there 
is no timber on the river for fifteen miles in advance, and here we encamped, having made 
only 20 miles. A cold rain commenced from the northeast at sundown, and continued until 
10 p. m. 
September 10.—It is raining heavily this morning, with a northeast wind. A horse and a mule 
strayed in the night, and could not be found until afternoon. 
A very vicious mule, which the men were endeavoring to pack, threw itself, while tied to a 
