The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-29
Lieutenant Mullan's Expedition.
OUR ExPEDITIoNARY CORRESPONDENTS.
CAMP on THE ST. JosErHs RIVER, \
Q99 miles from old Fort Walla- Walla, W. T.. )

Oe9 miles from old Fort walla Walla, W. rs
July 81, 1859. J
Tae Route from The Columbia to the Mssouri-Progres of
the Construction Of the Road-The Camp ON the st. yo-
sephs Rirer, DC, dc.
There is subject of national improvement which at
this time engages so much the attention of the people
the Pacific coast the contemplated union Of the waters
the Columbia river with those of the Missouri via
feasible and facile wagon road. aude of course to
the road under the charge Of Lieutenant Null
Ian, of the army, commencing from Fort Walla Wala
Washington Territory and terminating ut Fort Benton on
the Missouri. Lieutenant MulIan, having completed
full and efficient organization at Waa Wala left there on
the 23d Of June, opening the road to Fort Taylor Snake
river via the mouth Of the Toukanon river distance of
forty miles from the initial point (wala wala)
thence up the Paouse, thence the northeastward
The character of the work be done severe indeed but
there is large Force of laborers in the command who,
with proportonate number of soldiers detailed from the
of Lieut.. White destined to make light work
Of it, Stopping at the Touchet, thirty live miles
from Walla Wala, Lieut. Muan threw that stream
substantial bridge, made of the only material at hand viz
cottonwood Thus brdgcd, must prove of great conye-
nieDce the traveller with his wagons or pack mules IN
Of high water Not among the least of the items
the bill of difficulties thus far encountered by the party
the crossing Of the large band Of animals and general
equipage Snake river This body Of water at the
(June 2S) frghtfuy swollen on account Of the
ed strength-so much So indeed that not single beast
would touch the water, till at length the services Of
six stalwart Palouse Indians were called into re-
QUESTION, who, going out in their canoes, drove
them in detachments of eight or ten, but
only after great difficulty Thus spent five days,
during which the worked hard and well. Whilst in
camp at Fort Taylor two casualties occurred of which
regret to state fatal On the morning Of the Both of
June Anthony Brown, private attached to the escort
fit of insanity plunged butchers knife into his abdomen
The wound, though Of frightful character, not
thought mortal by DR. Mulan physician to the command
poor fellow was sent back to Fort Walla Waa and
placed in the hands Of DR.. Mcparlin surgeon that
post, as we had to push ahead on our journey, and
could not be burdened with and suicides On
the I'd Of July the bugler Of the command was drowned
while attempting to cross Snake river 1t appears he had
been up the river for wood which he was floating down
in the form Of raft. when the swift carried it
down and he to himself jumped Off and was drown
ed His body was not recovered 1t cast gloom Of sadf
The command arrived in camp short distance from
he Pound lake July l6 when working party were
ent IN advance improving the road and party set TO
lake, which, being completed by the 25th of July,
crossed and encamped here the left bank Of the
St Josephs river During the last week the advance
party have been locating the road hence to the Cnr
d'Alene river. At the same time another set has been
9, IN constructing large nat boat for the
be placed on the CGur d'AleDe river. Everything
will no doubt be advanced sufficiently Ear for
encampcd the lakc Lieut. Mnan visited by Fa
Their GE Italian jesuit priest from the Cuur de Aienc
Mission The Father had come TO the lieutenant relative
TO the proposed line OF the road vim the mission. He
would rather Lieut. Mullan would select some other oca-
ton, the Cnur de Alcnes his proeges alarmed
and restless at approach There be doubt Of
the silent disaection Of these Indians though they will
not attempt open hostities Intelligence was received
from Fort Colve July 1S Of the rumored attack OF
Neg Perces upon this command Asyct we have not seen
q single Nez Pcrce.
Intelligence OF late date from Mr.. Conway Howard,
Civil Engineer, in charge Of small party engaged IN
running line of levels nong the Columbia TO the Palouse
river starting from the Daes, has been received Their
work was progressing fnclyparty excellent health,
and expected join the main body by tho Isl Of Augus
Lieut. Mulan hores TO reach the Bitter Root Valley tbs
winter, ahd there winter. The amount OF work 70 he
aone ahead renders difficult to say just whether
his hopes viii he prntiica no.
The bcst % health prevails both among the ciyl party
and the soidicrs rV