Andrew A. Humphreys to Joseph Holt, January 24, 1861

Hon. J. HOLT, Secretary of War:

SIR: In the latter part of December I submitted to the Department, with a recommendation, the project of Lieutenant Mullan, U.S. Army, in charge of the military road from Fort Benton to Fort Walla Walla, for continuing the operations during the ensuing season through the next winter and the following spring and summer (in all about fifteen months from Ist April next), together with an estimate of the expense of executing the work. The amount available for this operation, including the probable amount of sales of animals and other property at the conclusion of the field-work, was estimated by Lieutenant Mullan to be on Ist April next $85,000. This sum was probably in excess about $2,500. Having understood that the above-mentioned paper has been mislaid, and that it is desired I should submit a substitute for it, I beg leave to say that it is not in my power to state the exact number of assistants and employés and extent of outfit and the monthly cost of maintaining the party proposed by Lieutenant Mullan, nor should I wish to make out a project in detail to govern that officer, as it might cramp him and impair the efficiency of his party. After a careful examination of his project I propose that the number of his assistants should be one less than he asked for, and that instead of employing a physician an assistant surgeon should be detailed to accompany his escort (100 strong), and be directed by the Surgeon-General to attend the civil employés of the party. Much of the work to be done upon the road consists in building bridges, and Lieutenant Mullan proposed that the party should winter on the route, and be employed during that season upon those constructions, and resuming the other labors upon it in the spring, reach Fort Benton in time to descend the Missouri in the latter part of the summer. Whether more time would be lost by this plan of operations, or by returning to Walla Walla toward the end of the fall and discharging the party and reorganizing it again and taking the field in the following spring, it is difficult to decide. I propose, therefore, that discretionary authority should be given to Lieutenant Mullan to send back to Walla Walla and discharge a portion or the whole of his party toward the approach of winter, and to enjoin upon him the strictest economy in his expenditures consistent with efficiency. The estimated expense of Lieutenant Mullan’s party was about or near $4,600 per month. The amount of the appropriation for the road now in the Treasury subject to requisition is $68,000. Lieutenant Mullan requested that the sum of $30,000 should be placed to his credit in New

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I beg leave to suggest that Lieutenant Mullan be instructed that the project submitted by him is approved, excepting the number of assistants, which should be one less than he proposes, and excepting the employment of a physician, if an assistant surgeon accompanies the escort; that the strictest economy be exercised by him in his expenditures, and that in no event should the amount of the appropriation be exceeded, and that he will in his discretion winter with the whole party on the route, or reduce it upon the approach of winter or return and disband it at Walla Walla.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,