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Show [ EXTRACT FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, J). C., October 20,1874. # • » » » » » GEOGRAPHICAL EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MERIDIAN IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, UTAH, ARIZONA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, WYOMING, AND MONTANA. Officer in charge, First Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, having under his orders First Lieuts. R. L. Hoxie, W. L. Marshall, S. E. Tillman, and P. M. Price, Corps of Engineers, Second Lieut. A. H. Russell, Third United States Cavalry, and, during portion of the field- season, Lieuts. H. R. Brinkerhoff and U H. Walker, Fifteenth United States Infantry, as escort officers, Acting Assistant Surgeons J. T. Eothrock, H. C. Yarrow, and C. G. Newberry, United States Army, who, in addition to their professional duties, were engaged in botanical, ornithological, and natural- history labors. Active field- operations were iu progress at the commencement of the fiscal year, the three main divisions of the expedition having departed from their rendezvous at Salt Lake City, Utah, Denver, Colorado, and Santa F6, New Mexico, moving south into Arizona, connecting with work of former years, covering duriug the seasou an area of about 75,000 square miles, and disbanding at the close of the field- season iu November and December. Following the disbanding a sufficient number of the members to prepare the matured results returned to Washington, where they were engaged during the winter months, and where a small force of draughtsmen and computers are continuously engaged in elaborating the material gathered in the field. In addition to topographical work proper the survey combines the establishment of numerous points astronomically; ( an important feature in relation to many public and private interests;) observations in meteorology and hypsometry; investigations in geology, mineralogy, and natural history; and the gathering of many other tacts upon subjects bearing upon the industries and resources of the regions traversed. A mass of useful information and results is thus constantly being accumulated and made available to the Government and the public. • By experience and improvements in methods and instruments, the value of the results is annually enhanced and the cost of the work amply repaid. Final results in the astronomical and other branches of the work have appeared, and additional will be ready for the press and engravers before the close of the present year. The expedition for the present field- season is well organized and equipped, and the officer in. charge is sanguine of most satisfactory results. The field of operations lies iu southern and southwestern Colorado, northern and northwestern New Mexico, and northwestern Ari- 151966 |
