GENERAL REPORT ON WESTERN DIVISION. 
189 
The packers were divided into brigades of two; each brigade having charge of from four to six 
animals. 
The command was armed with rifles and a few of Colt’s revolvers. The supply of instru¬ 
ments consisted of one sextant, a very good one; two chronometers—one indifferent, the other 
worthless; one level, a good instrument; one surveyor’s compass, indifferent; two Schmalcalder 
compasses, good instruments; two syphon barometers, good instruments; two syphon barome¬ 
ters, quite inferior; two aneroid barometers; two hygrometers; four thermometers. These instru¬ 
ments were sent out in charge of Lieut. Duncan, before my arrival in Washington from Texas. 
Our only means of determining the longitude was by the method of lunar distances; the varia¬ 
tion of the needle by the Schmalcalder compasses. 
I will endeavor to make this report as brief and general as possible, referring to the accompany¬ 
ing documents for details. 
The topography of the country will be found in Lieut. Duncan’s map and memoir. 
Mr. Minter’’s itinerary will show the obstacles met with on the march, daily distances, &c. For 
the meteorology and barometric profiles, I refer to Lieut. Mowry’s reports and drawings. 
Mr. Gibbs’s reports give the geology of the country and everything relating to the Indians. 
The natural history and hygiene of the country are discussed in Dr. Cooper’s reports. 
Ascertaining that the trail was obstructed by brush and fallen timber, I started in advance on 
July 22, with a small working party, leaving Lieut. Duncan in charge of the main party, with 
instructions to overtake me as soon as possible. I awaited the command at Yahkohtl; they arrived 
thereon the 28th July. We were delayed at this place until the 31st in making new pack-saddles 
to replace those broken in this short distance. 
On the 1st of August we reached the Cathlapoot’l, followed its valley until the 5th, on which 
day we left it and crossed the dividing ridge. 
From Vancouver to the Cathlapoot’l there is but little to invite settlement. With the exception 
of a few small tracts, the country is generally covered with dense forests and thick undergrowth; 
the trees often attaining an immense size. Fir is the predominant tree; a few scattered cedars, 
oak, ash, elder, and maple, are met with. There could not well be a more abundant growth of 
berries than we found in this district: among them may be enumerated three kinds of the 
huckleberry—blue, purple, and red ; the blackberry, raspberry, thimble-berry, gooseberry, service- 
berry, salmon-berry, sahlalberry, and the Oregon grape; the wild cherry and hazle-nut also 
were seen. The valley of the Cathlapoot’l above, and at our crossing, is utterly worthless for 
any purpose. On the Yahkohtl river there are some three or four cascades, which may hereafter 
be of some value as water-powers. 
At the second camp after leaving Cathlapoot’l river, (Taunkamis,) we halted one day, our 
animals having suffered much from the almost entire absence of grass for four days. On the 
8th we reached Chequos. On account of the animals I remained here two days, and occupied the 
time by taking observations, examining the vicinity, &c. 
From the mountains, near camp, there was a fine view of the country for a long distance in 
every direction ; five large snow mountains were in sight—Rainier, St. Helen, Adams, Hood, 
and Jefferson. The mountains in this part of the range are generally wooded ; they have steep 
slopes, but seldom present bold or rocky outlines. Forming an opinion from the confused nature 
of the mountains, and the courses of the streams, I thought the possibility of finding any suitable 
pass near St. Helen too slight to justify me in delaying here to make a more detailed examination, 
and determined to push on towards Mt. Rainier with as little delay as possible. A fair pack-trail 
might be made from Chequos to near the head of the Puyallup or Nisqually. From the Cathla¬ 
poot’l to Chequos, the country is mountainous and sterile. 
On the 11th August we left Chequos, reaching Atahnam on the 17th. Soon after leaving Che¬ 
quos the country assumes a new character; the yellow and pitch pine, with a few oaks, become 
the predominant trees ; the woods open, but little underbrush is seen, and the blue bunch-grass 
