Excerpt from Explorations and Surveys for a Railroad Route From the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean; War Department: Routes in California, to Connect With the Routes Near the Thirty-Fifth and Thirty-Second Parallels, Explored by Lieut. R. S. Williamson, Corps of Topographical Engineers, in 1853; Report

The instructions from the War Department were received by me on the day after their date, and I immediately took steps for forming the party, and collecting the material necessary for the successful prosecution of the duties assigned to me; and knowing the importance of the utmost despatch, as the season must necessarily be far advanced before we could reach California, I deferred all the preparations that could be made while the outfit was being prepared, and taking with me only such instruments as I knew could not be procured there, I embarked with my party at New York on the 20th May, on board the steamer Illinois, bound for Aspinwall.

The party which embarked with me consisted of Lieutenant J. G. Parke, topographical engineers Lieutenant G. B. Anderson, 2d dragoons Dr. A. L. Beermann, physician and naturalist; Mr. Isaac Williams Smith, civil engineer Mr. Charles Koppel, assistant civil engineer and artist; Mr. Charles Preuss, draughtsman. Lieutenant George Stoneman, 1st dragoons, who had been detailed to command my escort, was also on board.

It will be perceived that an important member of the party, the mineralogist and geologist, was absent. I had used every exertion to obtain one, writing to many persons who had been recommended to me, but could find no one to fill this important post. My only resource was to request Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute, to endeavor to engage some one for me, who would follow at a later period. Thanks to the kindness of this gentleman, and much to my satisfaction, Mr. W. P. Blake was engaged, and he arrived at San Francisco a fortnight after us, and has since filled the vacant post.

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