56 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
engineers remained with me. From them I received the necessary reports, and in a letter 
stated the general character of the route up to this point. After giving an account of the 
expedition to Pike lake, I wrote: “<< Lieutenant Grover moved on the morning of the 25th ultimo, 
in fine spirits, determined to distinguish himself. I was then confident, and am still, that he 
will pass over a fine route. It is almost an irresistible inference, from the general course 
of the streams, as laid down on Nicollet’s map. His instructions are to push forward to 
the Yellowstone, touching, if possible, the Missouri, to connect with Lieutenant Donelson’s 
survey. 
“І moved also, on the 25th, with the main train, and crossed the Shyenne early on Saturday 
morning, (July 2.) We have moved rapidly to day, making to the next wood a march of 27 
miles. We bridged the Wild Rice river, and found a aay bridge at the Shyenne, the work of 
our Red river friends. 
“Тһе train is now in motion, and I am behind to make up a mail—the last till I reach the 
Yellowstone. We shall cross the Shyenne the second time a few miles north of Bald Hillock 
creek, and shall pass within fifteen or twenty miles of the Miniwaken lake. Thence our course 
will be nearly straight. With my reconnoitering force I hope to cover a broad belt of country, 
connecting with Lieutenant Grover’s route. The accompanying sketch (one prepared by Mr. 
Lambert embracing results to this point) will show the character of our work. It is all the 
result of careful observation. The work north of the route, on the Bois de Sioux, Wild Rice, 
and Red rivers, was done in a single day by Mr. Adams, a young gentleman attached to the 
civil engineer's party; that west of our present camp, on the Shyenne, by Mr. Lander, one of 
my civil engineers, assisted by Mr. Adams and one man. Mr. Lander left this camp on Saturday 
afternoon (July 2) at 4 o'clock, and returned last evening, a little after 8, having ridden over, 
and carefully observed, at least 80 miles of country in 28 hours. 
“Ву a comparison with Nicollet's map it will be seen that the course of the Shyenne at its 
southern bend is much out of the way, and I have determined to have its southern shore care- 
fully examined by Mr. Lander. He will accordingly start to-day with Mr. Adams and four 
picked men on this duty, and will be instructed to explore carefully the region along, and south 
and west of the Shyenne river, connecting, if possible, with Lieutenant Grover's route. He 
has choice animals, and spare horses for reconnoitering. I entertain no €— as to 
hostile Indians. He will join me south of the Miniwakan lake. 
“Тһе sketch indicates the course of Lieutenant Grover and my proposed course to the 
second crossing of the Shyenne river, and the relative positions of the two routes to the direct 
course from the Sauk crossing to the mouth of the Yellowstone. 
“Тһе country, thus far, is exceedingly favorable for a railroad, no grade over forty feet to 
the mile. The Shyenne is a great obstacle, and the indications are very decided that the line 
must go south. I have indicated a particular railroad route. Without equipment it will not 
cost over twenty thousand dollars per mile. No important deflection is made. The crossing 
of the Shyenne at this point will cost say one hundred thousand dollars; twenty miles west, at 
the point marked on the sketch, not fifty thousand. The general line will, undoubtedly, be 
better; but when I reach the Yellowstone, and have Lieutenant Grover's route before me, I 
shall be able to report more definitely on this portion of the route. 
Mr. Lander, with Mr. Adams and four picked men, was aecordingly жаба {о ехашїпе 
