Year: 1860

Editor National: Iregret that my second
letter-giving the particulars Of The battle
andshe subsequent excitement ut Virginia
Ciiy-did not reach you in season for timely
publication It's failure should be charged
to the negligence of the express. as II was
mailed in good season.


As ntmaied in my private note. com
pleied my arrangements for returning and
and left Virginia City about 10 o'clock, on
Tuesday. May %. Our animals having been
i" pressed " into service TO go against the
Indians. and it being impossible to obtain
any others. myself and companion, Mr..
Henry Trnella. OF Grass Valley, were re-
duced 10 the alternative Of either taking the
stage for Downieville or foo; passage over
the Placerville or Eureka routes II we
took the Eureka route 1t also became ne
cessary that we should take our blankets and
at least four days supply OF provisions, os
but limited accommodations have as yet
been prepared for travellers on that route.
II having been my intention at the outset
to come out over the Placerville road and
return by way OF the Henness Pass and
Eureka for the purpose Of viewing the two
rival routes, determined. notwithstanding
the unexpected obstacles that were thrown
in the way. and the urgent sOlicitatiousof
friends to the contrary, TO carry out my
original intention.


The morning we bad set for our departure
opened with driving snow storm, which de-
layed US until about the middle of the lore
noon, when, there being some indications of
clearing up, we threw our blankets. In
which We had deposited small supply OF
provisions, across our shoulders. and took
eur departure from Virginia City.


After passing over the divide separating
Virginia City from Steamboat Valley the
road descends by somewhat abrupt but
perfectly smooth grade to n ravine emptying
into the valley, and thence through the val
ley aud over a most excellent natural road
until it reaches the middle crossing of the
Truckee a short distance above The Mead
ows." The trail as il is now travelled. as
well as the old emigrant road. varies con-
sderably from the contemplated line OF the
new road now being constructed. There
win probably be but enc crossing Of the
Truckee on the entire route and the Dog
Valley bill will be almost entirely avoided
by the construction of IN easy grade around
its northern base. From the foot Of Dog
Valley hill, the road passes through success.
sion Of beautiful, grassy valleys, on light
grade TO the summit. The summit itselfi
nothing more thaa fiat, grassy vale. at the
present time. however, covered with snow
aud surrounded by lofty mountain peaks.
The trail along which we passed kept by the
bill side short distance from the road. and
il was only by the closest observation that
we were enabled to tell when we reached the
summit. After passing the summit the road
strikes the head waters Of the Middle Yuba
down which i; follows, by an easy grade. for
about six miles, to Jackson's Ranch. which
is situated near the junction Of the North
anu Cuutu ~ tue hthllt uua.


At this point the new road crosses the
South Fork and with an easy grade passes
over a low divide which separates the head
waters Of the Yuba from Canon Creek,
tributary Of The South Yuba thence passing
along the valley Of Canon Creek, the steep
ascent OF the Eureka bill is also avoided By
an easy grade around its southern base,
which does not strike the old road again.
until point is gained a few rods only from
: the village of Eureka. From Eureka to
Nevada ria the Illinois Crossing, as good a
gravel road has been constructed as can be
found anywhere in the mountains.


When the road through this Pass is CON-
pleted, the distance from Eureka over the
summit to Steamboat Valley can be made
as easy as the same distance can be made
towards Nevada from Johnsons Ranch at
the crossing Of Bear river.


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