ORGANIZATION OF PARTY. 
The instructions from the War Department were received by me on the day after their date, 
and I immediately took steps for forming the party, and collecting the material necessary for 
the successful prosecution of the duties assigned to me; and knowing the importance of the 
utmost despatch, as the season must necessarily be far advanced before we could reach California, 
I deferred all the preparations that could be made while the outfit was being prepared, and 
taking with me only such instruments as I knew could not be procured there, I embarked with 
my party at New York on the 20th May, on board the steamer Illinois, bound for Aspinwall. 
The party which embarked with me consisted of Lieutenant J. G. Parke, topographical 
engineers ; Lieutenant G. B. Anderson, 2d dragoons; Dr. A. L. Heermann, physician and 
naturalist; Mr. Isaac Williams Smith, civil engineer; Mr. Charles Koppel, assistant civil 
engineer and artist; Mr. Charles Preuss, draughtsman. Lieutenant George Stoneman, Ist 
dragoons, who had been detailed to command my escort, was also on board. 
It will be perceived that an important member of the party, the mineralogist and geologist, 
was absent. I had used every exertion to obtain one, writing to many persons who had been 
recommended to me, but could find no one to fill this important post. My only resource was to 
request Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, to endeavor to engage some 
one for me, who would follow at a later period. Thanks to the kindness of this gentleman, 
and much to my satisfaction, Mr. W. P. Blake was engaged, and he arrived at San Francisco 
a fortnight after us, and has since filled the vacant post. 
The party arrived safely in San Francisco on the 20th of June, the only incident of note to 
us that occurred on the voyage being the illness of Lieutenant Anderson. This officer was 
attacked with fever shortly after leaving Panama, and arrived in San Francisco in a precarious 
state—so much so that the surgeon considered it would be dangerous for him to accompany us 
in the field. I therefore was forced to dispense with his services, but am happy to be able to 
state that he has since perfectly recovered. 
- I immediately repaired to Benicia, where preparations were at once commenced for fitting out 
the party. Such instruments as were required beyond those brought from New York were 
either obtained from the topographical office or purchased in San Francisco. A spring-wagon 
for their transportation was purchased. Four six-mule teams were furnished by the quarter- 
master for transportation of stores and baggage. Five teamsters and eight additional men for 
general duty as field-men and cooks were hired. In the mean time the escort had arrived, and 
it was found that to render it efficient it would be necessary to remount the men, whose horses, 
worn out in service, were condemned. Mules for this purpose were purchased by order of the 
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