, 1861-04-25
NV YoRk CIrr. March II. 1so1.

Messrs Piatt and Cunningham, in charge ol
emgTHnts en- route to Oregon and Washington
-Genttemen: Having been requested by MIR.
W. Z. Smith, Of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to send
you such general information as may prove Oi
value TO you in your contemplated emigration to
Oregon and Washington, avail myself Of my
only leisure since passing through Arkansas III
the OVerl7nd Stage, 10 send you such genera!
items as may be well to observe while on the
march.
The locality Of your homes determ'ne that
you either follow the general direction Of the
valley Of the Arkansas towards the Pixies Peak
region, or defect north westwardly as rapidly
as possible, and strike into tho valley Of tho
Platte to the east Of Fort Laramie, and thence
follow through the South Pass 10 Fort Hall |;
thence TO Fort Boise and Fort Wala Walla. /
would recommend TO you the latter. since it is
along this route that you will lind the larger bo-
dies Of emigrants moving westward, both TO Cal
iornia and to the Columbia.
This will bring you into the old Travelled
routes, and which will be found to afford you all
the essential elements Of wood, grass and water
IL Is essential frOn the beginning that you
maintain proper organization Of the families
while In camp and while on the march-lookIng
toward that security from Indians which must
be had to make your movements successful A
guard should invariably be established at night,
and every vigilance exercised, so as not to be
taken by surprise during either the day or night
In all your relations with the Indians, let ri.
gid adherence to the rules Of justice, kindness
and hospitality be insisted upon. This may pos
sibly tax the members Of your company for the
moment, but you will be amply repaid in the
confidence and security thus gained 10 your
march westward place special stress upon
this point, as it will be from Indians alone that
you need be apprehehsiVe Of danger and am
confident that by proper system Of guard day
and nigh I, and the due fulfilment Of the obliga-
uSRs thAl tle Indians expect at your hands, all
Your party will be enabled 10 repienish their
supplies at Fort Laramie, at Fort Hall, and II it
could be arranged to send in an express man to
Fort Walla Walla, notifying the people Of your
wants-if any should exist-supplies could be
sent % meet you on the road At Or near Fort
Boise. l-h5H "i aH'PD ~ f'
On reaching the Walla Walla valley, your
journey viii Be ended, and you will arrive there
At sufficiently early season 70 determine upon
your future mes with some degree, Of Ger.
Al thAtpoInt you win gain every possible IN.
formation relative 10 the geography and resources
Of the country In any direction. a1fl b ~
You viii lind troops stationed at Fort Laramie
and 1t Fort Hall, and it is possible moving col.
umn q troOp9 between Fort Waild NalIa and
Fort Hall ] shall call upon General Johnston
as pass through San Francisco on my return
% Oregon, and lay before him the importance ol
such ? column being on the Foad 10 protect and
bring i9 any emigration bound for Oregon and
Washington bnn .r31IF s'ybiTd sdf 10 anf
| From point to point along your route, you viii
hnd persons able and willing 10 give You such
detailed Information as may be pertinent to your
movements but would advise you 10, procure
copy Of Major Marcy 8 Prairie Traveller, which
contains much Information which you will find
useful on your march, This, together with .
good map of the western territories, win be the
only published information you need. Wishing
you and those with you pleasant journey across
the country, and assuring you warm welcome
N your western homes St the hands Of the hos.
Pitable people Of Oregon and Washington,
1 i am, sirs, truly your obedient servant,
| 80 ,os,- y. JoHN MUtLAN, Lieut. o. s. Army.