14 Ex. Doc. No. 41. 



several varieties of solidegOj Oenothera, and helianthusj among 

 which was the common sunflower. 



The animals of this section of the country are the buffalo, deer, 

 antelope, elk, marmot, wolf, agama cornuta, &c.; but, for a more 

 specific knowledge of the natural history and herbarium of the 

 •region froiu Fort Leavenworth to Bent's Fort, reference is made 

 to the interesting notes of one of my assistants. Lieutenant Abertj 



' ' in appendix No. 6. 



( 



t 



..1 



Except the buffalo, game is very scarce, and cannot be depended 

 upon to support a party of men, however small their number. 

 The buffalo, where they range, may be relied upon to support 

 a column of many thousand men; but their range is very uncertain. 

 This year it was westward, between the 9Sth degree and the 101st 



meridian of longitude. * ' ■ 



For an account of the country from Bent's Fort to the Pacific, I 

 submit my notes, in which I have set down what passed under 



my own observation. 



The accompanying map is also limited chiefly to the route fol- 

 lowed, based upon the data exhibited in the appendices, and num- 1 

 bered from 3 to 5. 



For a more specific knowledge of the plants peculiar to the 

 country traversed than will be found in the journal, I refer to the 

 catalogue prepared by that eminent botanist, Dr. John Torrey, to 

 whom all the plants and dravvings were submitted — formirig appen- 

 dix No. 2. The specimens brought 'home to aid me in elucidating 

 the geology of the route, were submitted to Professor John Frazer, 

 of the Pennsylvania University, to whose learning and knowledge 

 I am under great obligation. 



The military force under Colonel Kearny, destined for the con- 

 quest of New Mexico and the countries beyond, consisted of two 



(6 



command of Major 



/ 



Glark, three squadrons of the first dragoons, under Major Sumner, 

 the first regiment of Missouri cavalry, under Colonel Doniphan, 

 and two companies of infantry, under Captain Agney. This force 

 was detached in different columns from Fort Leavenworth, and 

 were concentrated with admirable order and precision on the 1st 

 of. August, at a camp nine miles below Bent's Fort. 



And here I would take occasion to speak of the 'excellent under- 

 standing which prevailed throughout between regulars and volun- , 

 teers, and the cheerfulness with which they came to each others 

 assistance whenever the privations and hardships of the march 

 called for the interchange of kindly offices among them. The 

 volunteers, though but recently accustomed to the ease and com- 

 forts of smiling homes, bore up against fatigue, hunger, and the 

 vicissitudes of a long and tedious march, through unexplored re- 

 gions, with a zeal, courage, aj^d devotion that would have graced 

 time-worn veterans, anJ reflect the highest credit on their conduct 

 as soldiers. There was a noble emulation in the conduct of re<^ularS 

 and volunteers, which, in no smaM degree, benefitted the service; 

 while, at the same time, it promoted that cordiality in their inter- 

 ests which will make their future meetings, in the more peaceful 

 walks of life, a gladsome' event to both.. 



