92 
NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY. 
The red cedar, in small quantities, grows both above and below Fort Union. A good deal of 
valuable white oak can be obtained from Red river. From all these sources I estimate that the 
road can be fitted with its superstructure, and with good materials, and be supplied with fuel for 
at least six years’ running time, full operation, and from its various connexions could indefinitely 
extend this period, but with considerable expense for transportation. Coal, according to Dr. 
Owen, exists in the lower part of Minnesota and in Iowa; and while our exploration has ascer¬ 
tained the existence of an inferior coal in Mouse River valley, the information obtained there 
makes it probable that a better coal is to be found in that region. 
Stone for masonry is also scarce, and but little is needed. The frequency of the granite 
boulders will be of service in the building of culverts, and to some degree may aid in constructing 
the small amount of bridge abutments. Building-stone in abundance can be obtained from near 
the Butte Maison de Chien, and possibly the sandstone of Mouse river will be found of value. 
At Mouse, Shayenne, Bois des Sioux, and Wild Rice rivers, but with better facility at Red river, 
all the materials for good bricks are obtained, and it may be found cheaper and better to use brick 
masonry in the neighboring bridge and culvert works. 
Water can, by reservoirs and unimportant aqueducts, be introduced at any point of the line 
required. The numerous small lakes extending along the greater part of the distance will, 
in this way, be of service. 
A little east from the second crossing of the Shayenne were observed the first indications of 
approach to the “ salt-water region.” Throughout this region, extending from this point to the 
Mouse River valley, small ponds and lakes are to be found, (brackish and slightly salt) and 
frequently with white salt incrustations of small amount on their borders. More abundant than 
these salt-water lakes, and constantly intermixed with them, are the small fresh-water ponds 
and lakes, occurring quite as often as is desirable either for travelling or railroad purposes. 
With this abundant supply no unusual construction or expense will be required in establishing 
watering-places. With noon and night halts at intervals averaging less than ten miles distance, 
there was never a deficiency of fresh-water. 
Prairie fires should be provided against by side-ditching. The grass is not tall and heavy, and 
with proper provision no injury to the wood need be anticipated from this source. 
Proceeding up the Missouri, from the mouth of the Great Muddy river to the entrance of 
Milk river, the railroad line, for near ISO miles, follows up the favorable valley of this latter 
stream ; then leaving it, passes on to the prairies, and so continues until within a few miles of 
the mountain pass; crossing in succession Marias, Teton, and Sun rivers, with the tributaries of 
Dearborn river. The route considered enters the mountains by the pass which, in our survey, 
has been termed Lewis and Clark’s Pass; the more northern of the two opening into the 
valley of Blackfoot river, or by “ Cadotte’s Pass”—a second entrance into that valley. 
Missouri river is, in the vicinity of Fort Union, some four hundred and fifty yards w r ide, and, 
so far as followed by the route, has a wide bottom of from two to eight miles across. The river 
is well wooded with the sweet cotton-wood, and has a small quantity of red cedar. On the 
south side rise the Mauvaises Terres hills, making up to some three hundred to five hundred feet 
height, whose name well defines their character—bare, and broken into every irregularity, 
washed with gulleys and ravines, and yet whose silvery glistening front, with its blended light 
and shade, is often a landscape feature of wonderful beauty. On the north side, also, the bluffs 
generally rise abruptly, and a few miles back of the river the plains attain an elevation above it 
of from one hundred to three hundred feet. A coarse soft sandstone crops out often in the edge 
of the bluffs, and apparently underlies the whole surface extending to the upper Missouri above 
Fort Benton. The bottom-lands are almost flat, descending slightly towards the river. The 
Missouri has probably but a small fall—a fall which, according to the barometric observations, 
does not exceed one foot per mile. 
By the various windings of the route, Milk river enters the Missouri some one hundred and 
