The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-04-15
~ TvPLoRING EXPEDITION.
rLo JIuknewn Region Of the Colo
"' RADIO TO be Examined.

The UHkn0Wh !ScE.Ou " vac
"' RADIO 10 be Examined.
A government exploring expedition,
under the auspices of the Engineer De-
partment, is about to start for the cxami-
nation Of portions Of our western territory,
south of the Union Pacific Railroad, en-
bracing sections OF southern Nevada,
southeastern California, and the western
part Of Utah; also Of the lower Can0ns Of
the Colorado and parts Of Arizona and
New Mexico, containing in aggregate
about sixty thousand square miles. Inc
expedition will be under the command OF
Lieutenant George N. Wheeler, who will
be assisted by Lieutenant D. W. Lock
wood, Of the Corps of Engineers, together
with an officer in charge of the escort, n
surgeon and naturalist.
The objects are fully set forth in the iol'
lowing extracts from the letter Of the
Chief Engineers, from which it will be
seen TINT peculiar facilities for the com,
plete Success Of the expedition will be a.
forded. In fact, it is doubtful whether
any expedition has ever visited our great
western interior more admirably fitted
and equipped for purposes Of general cx-
pIontion. The letter from the Chief Of
Engineers was us follows:
Lieutenant g. IT. Wheeler, Corps Of Eaqi'
nesrs, Washington, D. c.:
Sm:-Thc Secretary Of VAR, in his
orders of March 18Th, 1871, copy Of
which has been furnished you, Inns assign
ed you to the charge Of the explorations,
under the direction Of the Chief Engi.
ncers, Of those portions Of the United
States territory lying south Of the Central
Pacific railroad, embracing parts Of east
ern Navada and Arizona.
The main object of this exploration
will be to obtain correct typographical
knowledge Of the country traversed by
your parties, and 10 prepare accurate
maps Of that section.
In making this the main object, it is, at
the same time, intended that you ascertain
as far rs practicable everything relating
10 tho physical features OF the country, tue
numbers, habits and disposition Of the
Indians who may live iu this section, the
selection OF such sites rs may be Of use
for future military operations or occupa.
ton, and the facilities offered for making
common roads or railroads to meet the
wants of those who ut some future period
may occupy or traverse this part Of our
territory.
III asccrtaining the physical features,
your attention is particularly called to the
mineral resources that may be discovered,
and where the indications would seem to
| Justify it, you should hive minute and de-
tailed examination made Of the locality
and character OF deposits.
The influence Of climate, the geological
formations, character and kind Of vegelA.
tiOn, It's probable value for agriculturl and
grazing purposes, relative proportions Of
woodland. water, and other qualities
which affect its value for the settler,
should be carefully observed. The latt-
tudc and longitude Of as many us possible
Of the important points should be aCCu.
rately determined, and in order 10 assist
you in this, ii is suggested that you make
arrangements with the officers in charge
Of the Lake Survey and National Obser.
oAtory to determine by telegraph the Ion.
gitude Of those points nearest your field
OF labor, with which your ilcld.work can
be connected.
The following places are designated as
convenient for depots, viz: Camp Indie.
pcndenCe, Cal; Camps MojOvc, lIualperis,
Whipplc, and Apache, in Arizona, and
Camps Wingutc and BAyard, in New
Mexico
You will Use your judgment in modify
ing the plan proposed, in the event OF any
unforeseen circumstances or physical OBJ
staclcs preventing IN adherence to 1t.
The members Of the expedition are all
young, the instruments and materials new,
us are the arms, accoutrcmGnts and sup.
plies permitted by the various depart
menis. The personnel will consist Of one
gcOlogist, two collectors in natural hlStO.
ry, one astronomical observer ind com.
puter, four skilled topographers, two rs.
sistGnt topOgraphers, two meteOrOlogists,
one photographer and two hospital stew
ards. The total number Of officers, pro.
icsSiOnal assistants, labOrers, and drivers
willnumber at least torty.Rve, and will
have an escort Of thirty picked cavalry,
increased to fifty in parts Of Arizona.
The cooperation Of the various bureaus
OF the War Department has been secured,
all the officers having been directed and
instructed by their chiefs to furnish ev.
cry possible assistance. The General
commanding the military division OF the
Pacific has been instructed to furnish
proper escorts in such numbers and at
such points US may be necessary. The
expedition will take the field about the
@5th inst, aud return, it is supposed,
about December 10th, 1871.
Brooke and Hancock.
From the wellsburg Herald.
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