DUTIES PERFORMED BY THE GENTLEMEN OF THE PARTY. 
the report accompanying the table of latitudes. The longitudes used in the construction of the 
accompanying map, are derived from a comparison of those given by Nicollet and Fremont for 
St. Louis, and the public surveys carried westward from that place to the western boundary of 
Missouri, and thence to Fort Riley, in determining the boundaries to Indian lands; and of Fre¬ 
mont and Emory at Bent’s Fort; and Fremont at Great Salt lake. 
I am also indebted to Mr. Homans for the construction of a map of the route, which he made 
from the topographical sketches taken by our late comrade, Mr. Kern, and from those taken by 
himself subsequent to the barbarous massacre of that gentleman ; but the more elaborate map, 
which accompanies the report, has been made from the same notes and from that map by 
Mr. F. W. Egloffstein, my very able assistant in the topographical department of the explo¬ 
rations prosecuted during the year 1854. 
Want of time in which to prepare the geological report of this line, to be submitted with this 
report, compels me, reluctantly, to defer it until the completion of my report upon the explora¬ 
tions of the present year. 
Respectable collections in botany and natural history were made during the exploration; but, 
owing to the unfortunate death of Mr. Creutzfeldt, the description of them has been necessarily 
delayed, but will accompany the report referred to above. 
The meteorological tables and tables of distances were kept by my young assistant, Mr. James 
A. Snyder. 
Until within a few days, I had intended to resume the explorations required by your instruc¬ 
tions, immediately after completing and forwarding this report, by proceeding through the Tim- 
panogos canon to the Kamas prairie, and thence east as far as Bear river; and, in returning, 
have descended the Weber river to this valley, which, if practicable, would greatly facilitate our 
spring operations. But, unfortunately, the winter has within the last two weeks become unpre¬ 
cedentedly cold, the thermometer falling to 10°, 15°, and 20° below zero; while the depth of 
snow in the valley is considerable, and greater in the mountains, forbidding our ascending them 
until the winter moderates. 
Indian hostilities still continue; but few depredations have, however, been committed on the . 
inhabitants of the territory within the last two months, and hopes are entertained by the civil 
authorities of effecting a peace, which, if it could be maintained, would promote the prosperity 
of new settlements. 
We shall make the examination above referred to, as soon as the winter will permit our 
animals to subsist in the mountai'ns. 
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, 
E. G. BECKWITH, 
Great Salt Lake City, U. T., 
January 31, 1854. 
First Lieutenant 3d Artillery. 
