POTEAU RIVER.—FORT COFFEE. 7 
mail, and a letter from Mr. White, informing us of his safe arrival at the fort with the wagons 
and camp equipage. 
July 20 —Camp 2, Scullyville .—The arrival of the stores at Fort Smith rendered it necessary 
for me to return there. Having passed Ring’s farm, I took the right-hand road, for the purpose 
of seeing a different route, and of crossing the Poteau at the ford. After entering the low lands 
several roads branched off, and it became doubtful which should be followed. A trial of several 
proved them equally muddy and miry. At length I saw a sign-board at a fork, and eagerly 
sought the information which it might afford. The following is a true copy of the inscription 
upon it: “McReans Feary at Bills Ford theare will Bee no Feary at the Fill place unteel Fall.” 
There being no indication as to which road might lead to McRean’s ferry, and both appearing 
to be travelled, I took the left at a venture, and, after driving in an easterly direction half a 
mile, reached the Poteau. The road skirted the left bank, through forests of excellent timber, 
for a couple of miles, to the ferry. Here the stream was narrow, the banks on either side being 
from twenty to fifty feet in height. Beyond the Poteau the ground became more elevated, 
and at a distance of about a mile to the east was the so-called “ Long prairie.” Passing this, 
and traversing a hilly country for a few miles, I at length arrived at Fort Smith, and found 
Mr. White, with the stores safely landed. 
July 22 —Camp 2, Scullyville .—Having completed the arrangements with the quartermaster, 
Mr. White and myself took leave of our friends at Fort Smith, and returned to this place. We 
crossed the Poteau at a different point from before, where carboniferous shales crop out, and 
the stream runs upon a bed of solid rock. A more excellent site for a bridge could not be 
desired. For a railway, it would be better to follow the eastern bank of the stream to this 
point; cross, and ascend the left bank of a westerly branch which is said to lead near to Scully¬ 
ville. Thus might be avoided most of the low lands, subject to periodical overflow, and the 
hills near the village, which would cause heavy work. Over all the different routes traversed 
are seen the same superb forests, yielding timber of the finest quality. 
July 25 —Camp 2, Scullyville .—While waiting for the escort and the stores brought by Mr. 
White, the various branches of the survey have not been neglected. Mr. Campbell has made 
explorations in the vicinity of the Poteau, to determine whether it may be possible to avoid the 
hills by which this place is surrounded. He finds the country much more favorable in that 
direction, and, connected with it, a valley extending far towards the west. The Indians and 
traders tell us that this wide valley sweeps uninterruptedly west-southwest to the Sans Bois river. 
If so, the cost of grading for a railway would be almost inappreciable for perhaps fifty miles. 
A series of hourly barometric and meteorological observations has been made, similar to those 
taken at Cincinnati, Napoleon, Little Rock, and Fort Smith, to ascertain the conditions of the 
instruments, and determine base stations for the survey. There have been made, also, astro¬ 
nomical observations to determine the geographic position of the camp. 
A party has visited Fort Coffee, situated on the south side of the Arkansas river, and distant 
from here about six miles. It is no longer a military post, but an academy for Choctaw Indian 
boys. It is at present under the direction of Methodist missionaries, and in a prosperous con¬ 
dition. The system of education there pursued is highly practical, agriculture being one of the 
branches taught. 
Captain Cooper, the Indian agent, breakfasted with us, and gave many interesting facts 
regarding the people whose interest he has in charge. The number of Choctaws is from fifteen 
to twenty thousand. They seem to be an honest race, and are rapidly acquiring the habits of 
civilization. Their welfare greatly depends upon the character of the person selected by the 
government as their agent. In this respect they have been favored. Their former agent, Mr. 
Wilson, was, as they say, like a father to them; devoting all his energies to improve their 
condition, he won their admiration and respect, and it was with extreme reluctance that they 
parted with him. Captain Cooper has been with them but a few weeks, but they fully appre- 
