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Show 110 " At mountain- peaks occupied, such instrumental observations will be taken as will permit of the introduction of such points into a scheme of triangulation, hereafter to be developed, reaching from the Coast Range near the latitude of Los Angeles to the ranges bordering on the Colorado after its great bend to the south. From present information, the most feasible, if not the only possible, points within the above limits at which the river could be taken from its present channel and carried over large alluvial areas are: 1st, at or near Cottonwood Island; 2d, mouth of Vegas Wash; 3d, foot of Virgin Cafion ; 4th, Needles. " If it is found practicable at either of these points to divert the entire body of the stream at any or all of them, you will cause surveys to be made sufficiently in detail to guide in the projection of the necessary constructions and to govern in the laying out of a canal, with an approximate estimate of the cost of such works, including embankments and cutting. In this connection the surrounding country should be scoured in search of the proper earth, rock, or other material requisite, and advantage of such examination should be taken to gather topography of the surrounding ridges in detail. " The flow of the river and the character ol its sediments will be determined at Camp Mohave and at the mouth of the Rio Virgen. " Your attention should be especially directed to areas of marked depression along the route, and their geographical extent, with approaches thereto as far as practicable. " Incidentally you will determine the points at which artificial reservoirs can be most easily constructed, taking advantage of the contour of the subdrainage basins; the more or less impermeable character of the soil underlying them ; the value for agricultural purposes of arid tracts encountered if water oan be had, and the probable amount that oan be reclaimed; the analysis of alkaline, saline, and other deposits; the probable climatic changes to ensue; character of present vegetation: probable changes in the average total flow of the river in different seasons, & c. Any suggestions or recommendations growing from your examinations will be freely communicated. The physical obstacles of the section of territory to be traversed and visited are known to be great, and your operations may be materially modified and restricted thereby. " Very respectfully, yours, " GEO. M. WHEEUSR, " Lieutenant of Engineers, in charge. " Lieut. ERIC BERGLAND, " Corps of Engineers," ORGANIZATION. The party was organized at Rendezvous Camp, Los Angeles, Cal., and consisted of myself as executive officer and field- astronomer, 1 chief topographer, 1 assistant topographer, 1 geologist, I meteorologist, 1 odometer- recorder, 3 packers, 1 cook, a gnide, and 3 enlisted men belonging to Company G, Twelfth Infantry; making, in all, 14 men.* The means of transportation were 28 pack- mules and 1 bell- mare. DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE. The party left Rendezvous Camp on the 21st of June, and reached Martin's Ranch, at the mouth of the Cajon Pass, on the 29th of June. At this place a side- party was detached to make the ascent of Cucamonga Peak, and one of the enlisted men was sent by stage to Camp Mohave with barometer and psychrometer, to take observations during the summer, to which might be referred the observations taken on the route. The march to this place bad been necessarily slow, as the mules were nearly all wild and unbroken when the party started, on account of which much time was lost in loading and unloading the packs, and keeping the animals on the road after the train started from camp each morning. From Martin's the route was through the Cajon Pass, over a divide of 4,487 feet altitude, thence across a portion of the Mohave Desert to the Mohave River, at Lane's Upper Crossing. The slope is gradual from the divide to the river, a distance of 18 miles. This is a barren waste, without wood, water, or grass. The only vegetation seen was sage- brush, stink- weed, a few juniper- bushes, and several varieties of the cactus family. The yucca trees, which are found here in great numbers, obtain a height of 30 to 40 feet, and present the appearance of a magnificent forest. Rabbits, jack- rabbits, and field- rats were the only animals seen ; an occasional bird ; but lizards and horned toads were noted numerously. The soil consists mostly of coarse gravel, but could be made productive if it were possible to irrigate it. The river at Lane's Crossing was about 100 feet wide, with a maximum depth of 3 feet. A considerable volume of water flows through this portion of the river at all seasons, all of which disappears in the sand a few miles below. From this point the route followed the river to Point of Rocks Station. My instructions were to proceed north from this place as far as Black's Ranch, and thence east- |
