4 TO MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. DIX. form, hoping that their perusal may afford you some pleasure in your moments of relaxation from the cares and responsibilities connected with your high official position. I have the honor to be, General, NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 1867. Your obedient servant, CONTENTS. I.-New York to Pittsburgh-Chicago-Omaha--Fort Kearny and Denver-Progress of the Union Pacific Railroad-Visit of Govern- II.-Denver City to Golden City-Idaho-Empire City and Berthoud III.--Snow Storm in the Rocky Mountains--Empire City to Idaho- Central, Golden, and Denver Cities-Virginia Cañon-Russell IV. Colorado Agricultural Fair-Denver to Laporte-Virginia Dale— Stone-wall Cañon-Steamboat Butte--Antelope Pass, and Laramie V.-A Day at Fort John Buford-Mr. Williams' Letter-Eastward VI.-Parting Supper at Laporte-Return Trip to Denver-Kearny and Omaha-Ben Holladay and his Friends-Tribute to T. C. Durant- Remarkable Progress of the Union Pacific Railroad-Arrival at VII.-Two Weeks at Omaha-Wild Geese and Duck Shooting--Advent Pacific Railroad Excursion-Antecedents and Objects of the Excur- sion-Synopsis of Pacific Railroads-Speech of General Simpson- Departure of Excursion from New York-Arrival at Chicago-Saint VIII.-Morning after the Ball-The Excursion Train-All on Board- Its Progress Westward-The Great Platte Valley-Stations on the Road-Arrival at Columbus-Camping Out on the Plains-Indian War Dance-Morning Serenade-Town of Columbus-Sham Indian Fight-Presents to the Indians-Contrast between Civilized and Savage Life-Train still Going Westward--Way Stations on the Road-Arrival at Camp No. Two-Military Encampment-Another Night in Camp-Morning Exercises-Departure of the Elkhorns— List of Excursionists-End of Track found at last-Buffalo and IX.-Public Reception at Chicago-Resolutions-Speeches of Mayor Rice-Mr. C. A. Lambard, and Senator B. F. Wade-General WESTERN INCIDENTS. 1. NEW YORK TO PITTSBURGH, CHICAGO, OMAHA, FORT KEARNY, AND DENVER-PROGRESS OF THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD-VISIT OF GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS, ETC., ETC. DENVER CITY, COLORADO, Monday, Sept. 17, 1866. It is now about two weeks since I left New York, in company with the Government Directors of the Union Pacific Railroad, for the purpose of inspecting the rapid construction of that greatest of modern enterprises; and also examining the different routes which have been proposed for the road through the passes of the Rocky Mountains; and it seems to me that during that time I have learned more of the vast extent and resources of our continent than I had ever known before. Leaving New York on the evening of the 4th September, by the New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Central Railroads, we arrived at Pittsburgh on the 5th for dinner, after which we were placed in the Government Presidential car, which conveyed us most comfortably to Chicago in time to witness the interesting ceremonies of laying the corner-stone of the Douglas monument, pay our respects to the Presidential party, and hear the eloquent address of General Dix. On Friday evening, the 7th, we continued our journey from Chicago westward over the Iowa division of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, in the magnificent Directors' car, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the Government Directors by Mr. Dunlap, the General Superintendent, and which conveyed us to the end of the track, a distance of about four hundred miles west of Chicago. From this point we were compelled to make the balance of the distance to Omaha, about ninety miles, by stage. The rails are to be laid, however, upon this portion of the route by the 1st of April next. We arrived at Omaha, the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad, on the morning of the 10th, and spent the day in examining the extensive shops of the Company, which have all been constructed within the past year. DEPARTURE FROM OMAHA. On the morning of the 11th, the Directors accompanied by Gen. G. M. Dodge, Chief Engineer, Major Bent, Major Chesbrough and myself, took a special train, in charge of Mr. S. B. Reed, the General Superintendent, for the end of the track, which was then laid two hundred and seventeen miles westward, in the Great Platte Valley. We arrived opposite Fort Kearny at four P. M., having passed over two hundred miles of road in eight hours, or at the rate of twenty-five miles an hour. It may not be improper to state in this connection, that only forty miles of track were laid on this road during the latter part of 1865. And the balance, or about one hundred and eighty miles, has been laid during the present season; and the track-laying is now progressing so rapidly that it will reach the crossing of the North Platte river, a distance of two hundred and eighty-five miles from Omaha, by the 1st of November. The law requires the President of the United States to |
