286 FROM FORT OWEN TO WALLAH WALLAH. 



elled by the main party, I did not take any notes. After completing the duties at this place, I 

 proceeded to the Dalles by land. 



In view of a railroad line from Fort Colville to Fort Wallah-Wallah, or any point on the Co 

 lumbia, I will state that there are no obstacles from Fort Colville along the river for twenty- 

 seven miles ; at this point the steep hills and steep bluff banks along the river offer a serious 

 obstacle, and require a careful survey. Continuing on to Spokane river and the Grand Plain, 

 the great foil to the river and the height of the plain are such as to affect the whole line, and 

 may be to deflect it from its course. In consideration of this, I am in favor of the river bank. 

 Following the river, there are no difficulties until you arrive at the great bend of the river. This 

 part to the camp of the 19th, if not impossible, is certainly impracticable, involving not only 

 steep side-cutting, but a sharp curve. This, then, will throw the line upon the high level. The 

 limited time I had, and the lateness of the season, did not admit of my giving these portions so 

 thorough an examination as they required. From this point, or the northern boundary of the 

 plain, the country offers every facility so far as grades, but is destitute of timber. The approach 

 to the Columbia along my route was good, and to the Yakima valley. This line could be de 

 flected to the Columbia, at any point south of Pisquouse river, without incurring deep excava 

 tions or embankments ; but I fear the approaches are unfavorable. From where my trail came 

 to the Columbia, to Fort Wallah- Wallah, the country is level and sandy ; the approaches to 

 Snake river are very favorable. 



Arriving at the Dalles, I turned over the animals and the bulk of the property to Mr. Martin. 

 I also inspected the animals left at this place ; they were in much better condition than those 

 left at Wallah-Wallah, and will be able to enter the field in a few months. At this place 1 dis 

 charged my guide and packer. I then proceeded with the rest of my party to Fort Vancouver, 

 and thence to Olympia, via Cowlitz river and Cowlitz landing. 



The barometer used in my party was compared with one in the main party, at the time of leav 

 ing, with a view of another comparison at Olympia, as that instrument was broken in the field, 

 and I had no standard to refer mine to. I have taken the mean of the observations taken at my 

 camp at Fort Colville as the line of reference. 



Finding you absent upon my arrival at Olympia, I turned the property over to Mr. Osgood. 



Upon your return I had the pleasure of reporting in person. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



RICHARD ARNOLD, 

 Second Lieutenant Third Artillery. 



His Excellency I. I. STEVENS, 



Chief of Northern Pacific Railroad Expedition. 



22. REPORT OF LIEUTENANT R. MACFEELY, u. s. A., OF HIS RETURN FROM FORT OWEN TO 



WALLAH- WALLAH. 



FORT VANCOUVER, W. T., 



January 20, 1854. 



SIR: In compliance with the request in your letter of the 4th instant, to furnish a report of the 

 route passed over by me in returning from the St. Mary s village to this place, I have the honor 

 to submit the following: 



I commanded the escort which accompanied the expedition for establishing a depot of provisions 

 at the St. Mary s village, from the Dalles until our arrival at that place on the 29th of August. 



Not meeting at the St. Mary s village, as expected, the party undrr your command, it became 

 necessary, in order to reduce as much as possible the expenditure of the provisions intended for 

 your use, that all whose services could be dispensed with should be sent back. According^, I 



