GENERAL REPORT ON WESTERN DIVISION. 189 



The packers were divided into brigades of two ; each brigade having charge of from four to six 

 animals. 



The command was armed with rifles and a few of Colt s revolvers. The supply of instru 

 ments consisted of one sextant, a very good one ; two chronometers one indifferent, the other 

 worthless; one level, a good instrument; one surveyor s compass, indifferent; two Schmalcalder 

 compasses, good instruments; two syphon barometers, good instruments; two syphon barome 

 ters, quite inferior; two aneroid barometers; two hygrometers; four thermometers. These instru 

 ments were sent out in charge of Lieut. Duncan, before my arrival in Washington from Texas. 



Our only means of determining the longitude was by the method of lunar distances; the varia 

 tion of the needle by the Schmalcalder compasses. 



I will endeavor to make this report as brief and general as possible, referring to the accompany 

 ing documents for details. 



The topography of the country will be found in Lieut. Duncan s map and memoir. 



Mr. Minter s itinerary will show the obstacles met with on the march, daily distances, &c. For 

 the meteorology and barometric profiles, I refer to Lieut. Mowry s reports and drawings. 



Mr. Gibbs s reports give the geology of the country and everything relating to the Indians. 



The natural history and hygiene of the country are discussed in Dr. Cooper s reports. 



Ascertaining that the trail was obstructed by brush and fallen timber, I started in advance on 

 July 22, with a small working party, leaving Lieut. Duncan in charge of the main party, with 

 instructions to overtake me as soon as possible. I awaited the command at Yahkohtl ; they arrived 

 there on the 28th July. We were delayed at this place until the 31st in making new pack-saddles 

 to replace those broken in this short distance. 



On the 1st of August we reached the Cathlapoot l, followed its valley until the 5th, on which 

 day we left it and crossed the dividing ridge. 



From Vancouver to the Cathlapoot l there is but little to invite settlement. With the exception 

 of a few small tracts, the country is generally covered with dense forests and thick undergrowth; 

 the trees often attaining an immense size. Fir is the predominant tree ; a few scattered cedars, 

 oak, ash, elder, and maple, are met with. There could not well be a more abundant growth of 

 berries than we found in this district: among them may be enumerated three kinds of the 

 huckleberry blue, purple, and red ; the blackberry, raspberry, thimble- berry, gooseberry, service- 

 berry, salmon-berry, sahlalberry, and the Oregon grape; the wild cherry and hazle-nut also 

 were seen. The valley of the Cathlapoot l above, and at our crossing, is utterly worthless for 

 any purpose. On the Yahkohtl river there are some three or four cascades, which may hereafter 

 be of some value as water-powers. 



At the second camp after leaving Cathlapoot l river, (Taunkamis,) we halted one day, our 

 animals having suffered much from the almost entire absence of grass for four days. On the 

 8th we reached Cheques. On account of the animals I remained here two days, and occupied the 

 time by taking observations, examining the vicinity, &c. 



From the mountains, near camp, there was a fine view of the country for a long distance in 

 every direction ; five large snow mountakis were in sight Rainier, St. Helen, Adams, Hood, 

 and Jefferson. The mountains in this part of the range are generally wooded ; they have steep 

 slopes, but seldom present bold or rocky outlines. Forming an opinion from the confused nature 

 of the mountains, and the courses of the streams, I thought the possibility of finding any suitable 

 pass near St. Helen too slight to justify me in delaying here to make a more detailed examination, 

 and determined to push on towards Mt. Rainier with as little delay as possible. A fair pack-trail 

 might be made from Chequos to near the head of the Puyallup or Nisqu-ally. From the Cathla 

 poot l to Chequos, the country is mountainous and sterile. 



On the llth August we left Chequos, reaching Atahnarn on the 17th. Soon after leaving Che 

 quos the country assumes a new character ; the yellow and pitch pine, with a few oaks, become 

 the predominant trees ; the woods open, but little underbrush is seen, and the blue bunch-grass 



