of the routes examined by him in 1856, under orders from General 

 Harney, of which examinations no report has heretofore been pre- 

 sented. 



In that vear he made a careful reconnaissance of the Missouri 

 river from the southern boundary of Nebraska to a point sixty miles 

 above the mouth of the Yellowstone, and of this latter stream to 

 PoAvder river. 



The routes explored, including those of 1858, (of which a report 

 has been rendered and printed,) all lie east of the 106th meridian. 

 They lead once through the Sand Hills north and south, and twice 

 east and west, almost around the Black Hills, and through the valleys 

 of the following rivers, viz: the Platte, Loup Fork, Niobrara, White 

 Earth, Big Shyenne, Missouri, Yellowstone, and James rivers. 



The accompanying report of Lieutenant Warren is divided as 

 follows: 



Part 1 is a statement of the routes pursued and main incidents 

 which affected their direction and extent, and in connexion with this 

 are given the objections urged by the Dakotas against the passage of 

 the expedition through the Territory. This may prove valuable to 

 any white men that may travel there. 



Part 2 contains a general description of the surface of Nebraska; 

 an account of the general structure of the country; its principal 

 geological formations and the character of the soil; and its adaptability 

 in different parts to settlement. 



It confirms the statements heretofore made by explorers in otlier 

 portions of the western prairies of the generally sterile character of 

 the lands Avest of the 99th meridian, attributable to the absence of 

 fertile elements in the soil in large tracts, like the Sand Hill region, 

 and to the want of timely rains. 



The section in the mountains bordering these plains on the west is 

 described as containing small fertile valleys, Avith streams of Avater 

 and an abundance of building material, both of stone and wood, and 

 an ample supply of the latter for fuel. The opinion is expressed that 

 this section will be overspread by considerable settlements. 



Part 3 contains a general description of the rivers and routes 

 through the Territory, Avith a discussion of the question as to the 

 best route by Avhich to supply Fort Laramie and the interior. The 

 conclusions arrived at in regard to this last question are, that the 

 route up the Loup Fork is impracticable, and, besides, is less direct 

 than the Platte route ; that the route along the Niobrara is barely 

 practicable for Avagons, and that the difficulties to be met Avith on 

 the road, together Avith the increased riA^er transportation of the 

 route, render it less favorable than that up the Platte, Avhether the 

 starting point be Omaha City or Nebraska City ; that a road from 

 Sioux City to Fort Laramie, along the Niobrara, Avould only be about 

 forty miles shorter than a road proceeding from the same point direct 

 to tiie Platte, at the mouth of Loup Fork, and thence along the Platte 

 route to Fort Laramie ; that the shorter length of the Niobrara route 

 is more than counterbalanced by the great difficulties on that route, 

 and therefore the route along the Platte is the better of the two ; 



