G GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



Keucl Keith, of tlie Coast Survey, computed the observations for latitude 

 and time. Mr. Beaman has been permitted to consult from time to time 

 with Mr. Charles A. Schott, in the preparation of the meteorological 

 report. I cannot too earnestly express my obligations to the officers of 

 the Coast Survey for their aid and counsel. 



In all my previous reports 1 have acknowledged my obligations to 

 the military authorities for favors of great value. Armed with orders 

 from the honorable Secretary of War, General Belknap, upon the 

 military posts of the West for such assistance as could be afforded 

 without detriment to the service, my whole party was everywhere 

 received with marked kindness and generosity. The outfit obtained 

 from Colonel C. A. Keynolds, of Fort D. A. Eussell, Wyoming 

 Territory, was even greater and more complete than that of the pre- 

 ceding year, and the aid which both himself and his subordinates 

 cheerfully gave us, formed one of the most important elements of our 

 success. An outfit so suitable for our purpose could not have been pur- 

 chased in the country outside of the Quartermaster's Department, how- 

 ever great our appropriation. We were also permitted to purchase 

 commissary stores at cost with transportation included. The amount of 

 time and money saved to the General Government, as well as the char- 

 acter of the outfit, render these favors essential to the complete success 

 of a party exploring the remote sections of the interior of our continent. 

 We are also saved from extortionate demands that might be made on us 

 in case of an emergency whicli may at any time occur. At Fort Ellis 

 we were indebted more or less to all the officers of the post for courte- 

 sies, but I beg to make special mention of Captain J. C. Ball, who was in 

 command in the absence of Colonel Baker, on our arrival there. Cap- 

 tain Ball at once gave us all the assistance that could be afforded by 

 the post, and the benefit of his long experience in western life, in the 

 completing of our equipments. On our return to Fort Ellis we were 

 much aided by Captain L. C. Forsyth, quartermaster of the post. 

 By orders of Generals Sheridan and Hancock, one company of the 

 Second Cavalry, under the command of Captain Tyler and Lieu- 

 tenant Grugan, was directed to escort the party, under tlie direc- 

 tion of Colonel J. W. Barlow and Captain D. P. Heap, United 

 States Engineer Corps, and the party under my charge. Captain 

 Tyler and Lieutenant Grugan remained with us until we reached the 

 Yellowstone Lake, when they were ordered to return to Fort Ellis, and 

 Lieutenant G. C. Doaue was directed to take their place. I wisli here 

 to thank Captain Tyler and Lieutenant Grugan for unvarying courtesy 

 and a desire to advance the objects of our expedition in every way dur- 

 ing their stay with us. Lieutenant Doane reached us at our camp on 

 the southwest shore of the lake, and from that period to the time of our 

 return to Fort Ellis we received the benefit of his experience of the pre- 

 vious year. 



From Captain J. E. Putnam and Lieutenant Wilson, of Fort Hall, my 



