48 



it unnecessary to provide the usual quantity of bread and bacon, which 

 always make the bulk of the provisions required. 



The party must be well prepared for defence against war parties, 

 and it would be desirable to arm each man with a revolver, and about 

 three-fourths of them, in addition, should have a double-barrelled gun, 

 one rifled, the other smooth. This is a most effective gun either for 

 hunting or fighting. 



Copies of my instructions from the Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary 

 of War, dated May 6, 1857, and from Brevet Brigadier General W. S. 

 Harney, dated June 3. 1856, are transmitted herewith. 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



G. K. WARREN, 

 Lieutenant Topograjykical Engineers. 

 Captain A. A. Humphreys, 



Corps of Topographical Engineers, 



In charge Office Explorations and. Surveys. 



War Department, 



Washington, May 6, 1857. 



Sir: Under the appropriation " for surveys for military defences, 

 geographical explorations, and reconnaissances for military purposes," 

 you will organize an expedition to ascertain the best route for con- 

 tinuing the military road between Fort Snelling and the mouth of the 

 Big Sioux to Fort Laramie and the South Pass, by way of the Loup 

 Fork of the Platte ; to make also such explorations in the Black Hills, 

 about the sources of the Sheyenne and Little Missouri rivers, as the 

 time and means will permit ; and to examine the Niobrara or I'Eau 

 qui Court river, upon your return route, for the purpose of ascertain- 

 ing its character and resources and the practicability of locating a 

 road along it, leading from the Missouri river to the South Pass, or 

 from Fort Randall to Fort Laramie. 



The sum of twenty-five thousand dollars is set apart from the ap- 

 propriation to defray the expenses of the expedition, which amount 

 your expenditures must not exceed. 



The commanding general of the Department of the West will be 

 directed to detail an escort of thirty enlisted men of the infantry, 

 under the command of a second lieutenant, who will report to you 

 for duty. 



Transportation for the provision and equipage of the escort, their 

 subsistence, and their necessary ammunition, will be furnished, 

 respectively ^by the Quartermaster's, Commissary, and Ordnance 

 Departments. 



tjpon the proper requisitions, officers of the Quartermaster's and 

 Commissary Departments at the military posts near the routes pur- 

 sued by the expedition w illfurnish, as far as practicable, all neces- 

 sary supplies for it, which, when required for the civil employes, shall 

 be paid for at cost prices at the places of delivery, from the appropri- 

 ation for the survey. 



