, 1860-02-24

In the Portland Daily Adrertissr Of the 18th
instant We find the following letter from Lieut.
Mullan's Wagon Road party. 1t will be read
with interest by everybody in this Territory and
Oregon where On earnest solicitude is felt both
for the safety Of Mullan and his party and the
success Of their undertaking -
The Wagon-rOad pcrty of Lieut. Mullan, t.,
gether with his civil and escort trains, were safely
across the divide Of the Bitter Root Mountains
by the 26th Of October. From this point the
rad was located along the valley Of the St. Reg,
BOrgia river for about twelve miles by this time
the snow had fallen to q depth sufficient to cover
up the grass from the animals, which had To be
driven to the Bitter Root river. Being still on
the st. Regis BOrgia and ADORE all the crossings,
it was determined to make the bold attempt and
get 6etO1 them with the stores and trains IL DOS
slble and thusavoid the contingency Of being kept
back by the spring freshet. It. Mullan, there
iore set his men to work and constructed twenty
hand4sleds, carrying each six hundred pounds,
anu though the road was opened to within ten
miles OF the Bitter Root, there was much vet to
ne done on It. II was completely below tie
cross ng Of theSt Regis BOrgia. The stock beirg
81 on the Bit Root, the trail was made 10 I
them up and move down the train Of the civ |
party TO spot below all the crossing, where
the party could winter. The attempt was sue.
cesSlul but the animals had now become too
much reduced to move the escort train and stores:
however, fOOt-bridgcs were built over the streams
and the men commenced TIE work Of Shedding
down the same to the wintering point, and BY
the 18th INST, everything will be safely mo ed
down. It was now apparent that the work IN
the road could not be pushed further this season.
Ihe men had worked amid snow and cold till it
Nhn A. Al
Dec. 9th, work was suspended. Meanwhile the
men set to work, and by Jan. lst bad erected Er
themselves suitable aud comfortable quarters or
logcabins. An Office has also been erected for the
Engineers to work up the material collected du-
ring the summer. Operations will be resumed
as soon as Spring will allow. The Indians report
that the snow melts about the middeOf February.
The Engineers have during the summer collected
valuable data touching the points Of feasibility of
a Railroad. Their labors will throw additional
light upon this question: n.-particuarly as concerns
the proposed Northern line. The stock has been
driven TO the Bitter Root valley by small party
Of herders, where they will find good grass and be
in fine condition In the Spring.
Although blockaded up by the cold and snow,
the party are all cheerful and enjoying excellent
health, anxious for the approach Of good weather,
that they may commence work on the road.
Mr.. Engle, TOpOgrapher, left camp with q small
advance party, some two months ago, to examine
and map the country towards Fort Benton. He
Is yet absent, and the impression Is that he is
afraid to try the deep snow in on attempt to reach
camp. think he will remain in the Bitter Root
Valley till Spring.
A soldier named Murray imprudently wandered
oil from camp some weeks ago. and having slept
out four nights without cover or food, had his feet
so badly frosted that modification set In, necces-
stating the amputation Of the right leg yesterday,
and probably he viii lOse the leit before long.
The express to WallaiWalla will leave here in
q few days on snow Shoes Mr.. Walter w. John
son. civil engineer, leaves also, a. bearer Of dis
patches to the War Department The road Is
constructed for some 300 miles from Walla-
Walla: The latitude Of this place is about
P.S.AIieut. Mdllan named his winter camp
Cantcnn1ent Jordan" in honor Of Capt. Jordan,
OF the army, who has been one Of the most zeal.
Gus and faithful friends Of this overland wagon
route to be found on the Pacific coast, and who
has done much towards adding to our knowledge
Of the resources Of the North Pacific. A worthy
compliment to u zealOus public servant and advc-
cate Of our interests.