562 



Ex. Doc. No. 41. 



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tide. For six months in the year, the riTer is saiti to be navigable 

 by steamboats for 350 miles} its bottoms are wide and rich; and 

 Eugar, undoubtedly, may be grown. In winter, it i» fordable at the 

 crossings but I think it has at least as much water as the Missouri 

 at the same season, and may be navigable by steamers to the moulh 



of the Gila at all seasons. ^ ^ 



In conclusion, much credit is due to the battalion for the cheer- 

 ful and faithful manner in which they have accomplished the great 

 labors of this march, and submitted to its exposures and privations. 

 They would much have preferred to lighten and abridge them, by 

 • leaving the wagons; but, without previous discipline, all was aQ- 

 complished with unity and determination of spirit. To enable the 

 mules to endure the extraordinary labor of drawing these wagons, 

 without a rpad, and often without food or water, the duties of guards 

 were greatly increased, to herd them safely, as they did, over tracts 

 Bometimes a mile in extent, sometimes two miles from the camp, or 

 beyond a river; and ten times did the battalion encamp without 



water. 



I am indebted to Lieutenants Smith and Stoneman, cff the first 



dragoons, who performed the duties of assistant commissary of sub- 

 sistence and assistant quartermaster, for Valuable assistance, par- 

 ticularly in directing the pioneers. Mr. Willard P. Hall, too, was 

 ever ready to give me aid, particularly in the most active and ven- 

 turous duties. • 



Thus, general, whils.t fortune was conducting you to battles and 

 . Tictories, I was fated to devote my best energies to more humble 

 labors; and all have cause- to regret that the real condition of af- 

 fairs in this territory was so little understood. But it is passedl 

 and I must be content with having done my duty in the task which 

 you assigned to me, if, as I trust, to your satisfaction. 



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Respectfully subpaitt 



P. ST. GEO. COOKE, 



Lieut. Cel.f commanding Mormon battalion. 



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of the West 



Calif 



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