The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-23
From the New York Courier and Enquirer
HE RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.

We annex a second letter from Mr.. Whitney,
who, with his party, is now exploring the route for
this great enterprise 1t will be seen, from the ten
of this letter, that between lake Michigan and the
Mississippi nature opposes no obstacles of any mo-
ment to the prompt and cheap construction of such
road; which of itself, if it never went any farther,
would be great national advantage. But, once be-
gun this scheme of connecting the Atlantic and the
Pacific by steamboats, and railroads will not fail
Correspondence of the Courier and Enquirerl
PRAIRIE Du CHEN, June 30, 1S45.
Messrs. EpIToRs: | had the pleasure TO write
to you, dated at Milwaukee, June 10; from
whence passed to Prairieve, thence to Fox lake,
and, by Fort Winnebago and Mineral Point, to this
place. From Milwaukee, for go miles we found a
very level surface, covered with very heavy timber
We then came to what is called "openings"-
prairie with scattering TIMBER with the appearance Of
old orchards, which continued to about 10 miles of
Wateitown, on the Rock rivera place of 500 i'm
habitans, and growing rapidly. The Rock is
fine stream, with mills, DC, and Watertown
will be an important place. From it to Fox
lake, we passed over a rolling prairie OF 10
miles in extent, skrted around with wood in
what is called openings; then through OPEN
ings to the lake on to Fort Winnebago, the same
openings continuing to within ten miles of the fort.
Thus far, met no difficult streams to cross and no
difficult hills over the whole distance road may be
built very small grade; the miles to the fort
is more broken, and the soil more sandy but to
this point, it is the finest country have ever seen,
though little settled Crops all look well. have
never seen finer wheat, OATS corn, and potatoes.
Although the ten miles to Fort Winnebaso are
broken, we pass through valley for the whole dis
lance on almost level in which there is consdera-
BILE timber. Fort Winnebago on the Fox, about ]
mile from the Wisconsin river, is an extensive
fiat of some miles in extent, producing an immense
crop of wild grass, which makes very good hay.
From this flat we gradually rise again to the prairie
opening through very similar country to that we
bafN th.f al. .ICI
higher prairie, very extensive, without timber, and
very rich soil; then descending little into more
broken country, we passed several miles through a
valley with high bluffs on each side, showing that
at some former period the water must have been on
level with the highest of them, and, it subsidized
worked out this valley. Many ofthe heads of these
bluffs are perpendicular, showing different strata Of
lime rock, with various strata Of earth from base to
summii-thc rock entirely bare, showing that the
earth has been worked OIL We continued through
this valley till we came TO another, which crossed
it, and through which flows fine stream, called
Blackearth creek on either side Of which are high
bluffs, with but now and then scattering growth oil
wood. The valley is called Cross Plains, from the
formation Of perfect cross by the bluffs il is ex.
tensive and beautifully covered with verdure, and
as it struck upon our view, presented n scene rs
grand, as rich as picturesque as any have seer
in any country. think never looked upon a Spot
beautiful. In the distance 10 the SOUTH appears
the most remarkable ridge, called the Military ridge
looking afar off like an immense embankment--lhe
summit and surface perfect level.
We assembled this ridge, some 900 feet in height
in distance, through ravine, of four miles Il il
more than 100 miles in length, and extends to the
Mississpp with but or three branches and thes,
not difficult; railroad may be built on this ridge or
very low grade. The face of the country through
much the same its soil all good its beauty of ap-
pearance is far beyond description--so superior in
deed, to any country have before seem that know
not how TO speak Of il. The only great elevation
from the lake to the Mississippi, is Blue Mound
900 feet-from which the country can be seen for
NIFTY miles around. This is mound and not Q
mountain; therefore not necessary TO cross with O
road. There are many good routes for road from
The lake to the Mississippi and road may be built
anywhere in straight line, without any serious OBJ