352 
ITINERARY OP ROUTE FROM ST. PAUL TO FORT UNION, 
Siberia of America that it has often been represented to be. The winter has been remarkably 
mild. In the Bitter Root valley, at no time has snow been deeper than four inches; and even 
this from several falls of snow. On my arrival at Fort Benton, and from my own observation, 
I have been informed of the exceedingly mild character of winters having but little snow, and 
comparatively little cold. Having made full and detailed notes of each point of the route—in 
fact, of the two routes—I will be enabled to make you a more full and detailed report, should it be 
at all necessary. 
Truly and respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J. MULLAN, 
Lieutenant U. S. Army. 
Governor I. I. Stevens, 
In Command of N. P. Railroad Exploration and Survey. 
H. 
ITINERARY. 
27. Itinerary of the route from st. paul to fort union, by a. w. tinkham. 
Olympia, Washington Territory, 
March 11, 1S54. 
Sir: I have prepared, and herewith submit, an itinerary of the route pursued by the train from 
St. Paul to Fort Union. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
A. W. TINKHAM. 
Governor Isaac I. Stevens, 
Chief N. P. Railroad Exploration, Olympia, W. T. 
June 2, 1853.—Camp in the vicinity of St. Paul, one and a half mile from town, 
on old St. Anthony road; owing to our nearness to the town, grass poor and wood 
scanty; water obtained from a house near by. 
June 3. —By the St. Anthony road ; pass over green, fertile prairie, with rich, 
dark soil, or between cultivated fields, to St. Anthony; in about five miles the road 
approaches the Mississippi river, and thence forward to the town winding along its 
bank. 
Winding parallel with the Mississippi, road runs through fertile prairies and 
oak openings; reaching Rice creek, crossed by a good bridge. 
Camped on a small brook ; wood and grass good; water good and convenient; 
soil sandy. 
June 4.—Continuing through prairies or oak openings, with a good road; cross 
Crow creek, a small stream, by a miserable bridge..-. 
' Through oak openings, with tamarac swamps in sight some two miles to the 
right of road; road reaches Rum river, a river some one hundred and twenty feet 
wide, and supplied with a ferry... 
Through prairies and oak openings, wdth scarcity of water, lighter and often 
sandy soil, to camp on small rivulet about half a mile from the Mississippi; wood 
and water good; grass in the low lands near Mississippi luxuriant. 
Miles. 
n 
7% 
2i 
3| 
H 
li 
20 
