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Show THE GREAT BASIN OF UTAH. 31 oughly attempted; but that in every instance, from fear of encountering reported deserts, explorers had shrunk from the task. It was universally believed in Utah that at this period not even a Mormon had ventured to cross the Basin in this direct manner toward Carson or Walker's Lake. Some, more adven-turous than others, had made a less circuitous bend than the old route by the Humboldt River; but not one had accomplished a direct journey across. It was the failure on the part of others to accom-plish this desirable exploration, as well as the possible advantages of a new and short road, that stimulated the writer to make, through General Johnston, a pro-ject of exploration to the War Department, which had in view the accomplishment of this very enterprise ; and thus, if possible, the opening of a wagon road that would be of benefit to the army and to the nation. His project of exploration was approved by Gen-eral Johnston; sanctioned by the War Department; and under the authority of the latter, the expedition was ordered, and consequently received the complete outfit it did from the general commanding. The party consisted of Captain J. H. Simpson, Topo-graphical Engineers ( now Colonel of Engineers and Brevet Brigadier- General U. S. Army), in command of expedition ; assistants Lieutenant J. L. Kirby Smith, Topographical Engineers, U. S. Army, in charge of astronomical observations with sextant for latitude and time or longitude; Lieutenant Halde-man L. Putman,* Topographical Engineers, U. S. * Lieutenant Smith was mortally wounded while " changing front forward" with his regiment to repulse a desperate attack of |