INSTRUCTIONS TO LIEUTENANT DONELSON, 37 



assistant artist ; an assistant from the meteorological party, a small detachment of dragoons, 

 with the necessary employes of the quartermaster s department, two wagons, rations for fifteen 

 days,, will move forward at once towards Cadotte s Pass, moving slowly, covering the ground 

 with great care from the dividing ridge east of the Big Teton to the Missouri river, and in 

 cluding a rapid reconnaissance of the falls of the Missouri river. 



The approaches to Cadotte s Pass must he examined with care, and full information gained as 

 to river crossings and side approaches. The space to he covered, at first large, will undoubtedly 

 narrow towards the entrance to the pass. Advantage must he taken of hills to gain views of 

 country. Small detached parties of one, two, or at most three men, must he thrown out for 

 purposes of reconnaissance. In the pass the lateral valleys and passes should he examined to 

 the extent of the force at your disposal. More definite instructions cannot be given. The 

 field will open and the right methods will be suggested as you advance. Much must be left, of 

 necessity, to your own judgment. I refer you, in relation to this matter, to my letter of this 

 morning, which will be considered as a portion of these instructions, and in which my views are 

 given as to the method of conducting operations. 



For information as to the details of the work, I refer you to my printed instructions, to the 

 written instructions addressed to and in possession of the chiefs of parties, and to the methods 

 actually in use since your connexion with the main party. 



The supply and baggage train will move forward on the llth or 12th instant, in charge of 

 Mr. Osgood, and the marches will be so arranged between the two portions of the command, 

 as that the whole shall be brought together at the foot of the first dividing ridge, and where 

 the greatest obstructions to the passage of wagons are said to be found. All the baggage will 

 be carried in wagons, and the train will consist of twelve mule teams and one ox-wagon. 



On reaching the point where serious difficulties may occur to the passage of wagons, an effi 

 cient pioneer party should be organized, kept well ahead to remove obstructions, and prepare 

 for the passage of the train. Ample supplies of rope and tackle should be provided. You are 

 instructed to direct your energies to the passage of the train, though not to involve serious 

 detriment to the prosecution of the survey. All the pack-saddles will be taken along to pro 

 vide for the possible necessity of abandoning the wagons. The wagons will not, however, be 

 abandoned without my direct order, and you are authorized, when, in your judgment, the task 

 of pushing through the wagon train shall endanger the operations of the survey, to make a report 

 in writing to me to that effect, and to turn over the train to Mr. Osgood, taking the rations 

 necessary for reaching the St. Mary s village, and leaving to me the responsibility of deciding 

 upon the question of continuing the effort to get the train to the St. Mary s. In drawing 

 rations, however, you will leave with the train at least double the amount taken for the party 

 you may organize under your immediate charge for the survey. I cannot authorize, however, 

 the separation of the party, and placing the entire responsibility of the train with Mr. 

 Osgood, without your written report, referred to above, addressed to me, and placed in his 

 hands. That report will authorize Mr. Osgood to take such measures for the care of the train 

 and animals as, in his judgment, may be necessary. 



On reaching the St. Mary s village, you will rest your animals and await my arrival con 

 forming, however, to instructions you may receive from Captain McClellan. It is probable that 

 Lieutenant Mullan may reach that point not long after your arrival, bringing excellent Flat- 

 head guides, acquainted with the several passes to the Hudson s Bay posts on the Columbia 

 river, and to Fort Hall. No time should be lost in gaining every possible information as to 

 routes. In case of a depot not having been established at the St. Mary s village by Lieutenant 

 Saxton, Dr. Evans, the geologist of the expedition, has instructions to bring up supplies from 

 the Dalles for the service of the parties that may operate from the St. Mary s village. 



It is my intention to establish at the St. Mary s village a winter post in charge of Lieutenant 

 Mullan, to operate in the passes of the mountains till driven out by snow, and then to explore 

 the lateral valleys and passes. Its establishment is essential to secure success to the contem- 



