INTRODUCTION. 
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT. 
“ "War Department, Washington , May 14, 1853. 
“ Under the 10th and 11th sections of the Military Appropriation act, approved March 3, 
1853, directing c such explorations and surveys ’ to he made as might he deemed necessary to 
1 ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi river 
to the Pacific ocean,’ the War Department directs such explorations and surveys to he made 
as will develop the availability for this purpose of that portion of our territory which lies near 
the parallel of 35° north latitude. The following instructions with reference thereto are issued 
for the government of the different branches of the public service : 
“ 1. The party for this exploration and survey will he commanded/by First Lieutenant A. 
W. Whipple, of the topographical engineers, who will he assisted by brevet Second Lieutenant 
J. C. Ives, topographical engineers, and such civil assistants as may he required and the Secre¬ 
tary of War approve. 
“2. The Adjutant G-eneral will detail the necessary escort, transportation for the provisions 
and equipage of which shall he furnished by the Quartermaster General. Second Lieutenant 
D. S. Stanley, second dragoons, will act as quartermaster and commissary to this expedition. 
“3. Upon the proper requisitions, officers on duty in the quartermaster and commissary 
departments at the various military posts upon the route will furnish, as far as possible, all 
necessary supplies, which will be paid for at cost prices from the appropriation for the survey. 
“ 4. Medical stores will be furnished by requisitions upon the Surgeon General. 
“ 5. Ammunition and arms may he obtained from the Ordnance department. 
“This party being organized, will collect the necessary instruments and equipments. It 
will then repair to the field with the utmost despatch, and proceed with the survey and recon¬ 
naissance in question. The main party will rendezvous at some convenient point on the Mis¬ 
sissippi river, and thence proceed by the most favorable route westward towards Rio del Norte. 
From hasty reconnaissances, and from such information as can he obtained from other sources, 
it may be determined from what point upon the river Mississippi the proposed railway should 
commence, and whether it may be advantageously connected with any railway already projected 
by States or companies westward from that river. 
“The reconnaissance will continue along the headwaters of the Canadian, cross the Rio 
Pecos, turn the mountains east of the Rio del Norte, and enter the valley of that river at some 
available point near Albuquerque. From thence westward, extensive explorations must deter¬ 
mine the most practicable pass for a railway through the Sierra Madre, and the mountains west 
of the Zuni and Moquis countries, to the Colorado. In these explorations Fort Defiance can be 
made a depot for supplies, and may furnish subsistence and transportation thence for the 
remainder of the route. From Walker’s Pass it would he advisable to pursue the most direct 
and practicable line to the Pacific ocean, which will probably lead to San Pedro, the port of 
Los Angelos, or San Diego. 
“ Lieutenant Whipple will immediately detail an officer, with a small party, to proceed 
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