REPORT AND ,lor 



purpose of straightening the road thence to Tyler's Spring, making 

 Horn Spring, a point of the road. The distance to Marmaduke s 

 than 25 miles, and, by passing through the canon most convenient 

 to Tyler's Spring will be about 16 miles. 



You will take with you suitable stakes and guide-boards for 

 troughs for the purpose of collecting and economizing the water of 

 and other travelers. These troughs will be disposed of in the best v 



i will be escorted by a detaehii! 



accomplishing this duty you will return with all dispatch to this p,,>t. and after turning over your escort and 

 roperty, join the topographical party, which will he em anip.d at Koiiml Prairie, on the Timpunogos 

 River, en route for Fort Leavenworth. 



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



Lieut. J. L. K. Smith, 



Corps Topographical Engineers. 



There were also issued to-day the following orders, by which it will be perceived 

 that my instructions of April 26, before given, are so far modified as to cause me to 

 make a reconnaissance for a practicable pass from the Timpauogos Valley, through the 

 Uintah Mountains to Green Valley, and then return to Fort Leavenworth, via Fort 

 Bridger: 



Sir: As, by the time you will be able to leave this camp, the season will be loo far advanced to proceed to Fort 

 Leavenworth by the headwaters of the Arkansas, and with safety make any important explorations beyond the Wah- 



That, as Boon as you reorganize your party and train to adapt them to your future duties, you proceed to Round 

 Prairie, on the Timpanogos River, whence, after establishing camp in a suitable position for recruiting your animals, 

 you will ascertain the practicability of opening a wagon-road to Green River, through the valley of the Uintah River ; 

 th.n. discharging those of your guide-party no longer needed, and sending, by the guide, to the commanding general a 

 report of the result of the examinations, you will continue to Fort Leavenworth ma Fort Bridger, and carry out your 



There is reason to believe that you will, by this examination, connect this portion of the country with the valley of 

 White River (on east branch of Green), ascending which a practicable road can easily be made and connected, if neces- 

 sary, with the trail of Colonel Loring and Captain Gunnison ; but, on account of the imminent danger of being caught 

 in the snows which fall early in the season in the elevated passes of the Rocky Mountains near the Parks, the command- 



practicable road the eastern with the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, and will suggest this course to the Secre- 

 tary of War. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, p ^ Poktek, 



Capt. J. H. Simpson, 



In charge of Surveying Party of Topographical Engineers. 



August 6, Camp Floyd.— Lieutenant Smith and party left this morning, pursuant 

 to instructions of yesterday. A party of California emigrants, with seven wagons 

 take, also, my return-route. I have famished them with an itinerary. Balance of 

 my party engaged in preparations to leave this post, in prosecution of instructions from 

 headquarters given above. j4l . 



hu,„st 7. Camp Floi/d.-An emigrant tram ot about thirty wagons passed through 

 to-day, taking my more southern route to California. Supplied them with an itinerary. 



