Expedition Up The Missouri. Letter From The Secretary Of War...Respecting The Movements Of The Expedition Which Lately Ascended The Missouri River. March 6, 1826.

BRIG GENERAL HENRY ATKINSON

Publication: Gales & Seaton, 1826, Washington

First edition. Disbound. 16pp. House of Representatives, War Department, 19th Congress, 1st Session. Wagner/Camp 32 says, "General Atkinson devotes most of his report to an account of Indian tribes and fur trade on the upper Missouri River, but he also discusses additional subjects of interest such as Jedediah Smith's meeting with the British traders on the Lewis River and his report of British activities on the upper Missouri. Atkinson recounts meeting William Ashley at the mouth of the Yellowstone and notes Ashley's comments on the existence of an easy passage across the Rockies at the headwaters of the Platte. Atkinson also relays proposals by a Captain Gamble for protection of the Santa Fe trade route. The expedition departed from Fort Atkinson on May 16, 1825, reaching the mouth of the Yellowstone on August 17. Ashley, carrying a large load of furs, met Atkinson at this point and returned with him. They passed the Arikara village on September 4 and arrived at Council Bluffs on September 19." Rittenhouse 17 says, "Chiefly concerning the upper Missouri, but there is a brief discussion [p.15] concerning a fort where the SFT crosses the Arkansas River. Gen. Henry Atkinson approves the location but says it would be expensive to supply and would require more troops than the frontier army could spare." Overall a very good copy.

Inventory Number: 52257