Unknown to E. A. Rigg, January 13, 1862

Maj. E. A. RIGG, Commanding Fort Yuma:

SIR: Pursuant to special instructions dated at Fort Yuma, January 10, 1862, I proceeded, accompanied by John Costello, as guide, to Fort Gaston, on the Colorado River, via the Hoffman route. The following is the result of my observations: From Fort Yuma to Hoffman’s camp, on lagoon, six miles; good road to and plenty of wood and water at camping place; no grass of any kind. From lake to the bluff, two miles; no trail, deep sand, and very bushy. Thence the trail is plain, good for about ten miles over a gradually ascending mesa, or tableland. Thence five miles over a rough, broken country, washed out in deep gullies and ravines; a range of black hills on the west and Chimney Peak on the east. Some Gila grass in the ravines; plenty of wood (mesquite and iron-wood), but no water; thence gradually descending alongside of a ravine for about six miles, to a tank marked by a pile of stones on the east side of the trail; plenty of water at this time; very little wood, and no grass of any kind. The guide informed me that the water dries up certain seasons of the year. Thence down along the same ravine about one mile. Here the trail goes into the bottom of the ravine. Thence down the bottom of the ravine, over deep sand, for about two miles to small lake, with good water, the hills narrowing in and forming a deep cañon, in some places not over twenty feet between bluffs. Thence the trail crosses a rough, steep rock ridge about one mile from the base to the ravine on the other side. Trailover loose stones and steep ground very difficult even for mules to pass. At the foot of the hill on the north side is a tank of living water sufficient for all purposes; very little wood, no grass of any kind. Thence two miles down the ravine, over heavy sand to the Colorado River. Plenty of wood, but no grass. Thence up theriver about nine miles to grass, A very fine place for camping for a small train, the grass being limited in quantity, say about two acres of good grass; wood plenty. Nine miles farther up the river is Hoffman’s, or Grass Camp. Here is plenty of good grass and wood. Thence nine miles, to Fort Gaston, where there is considerable Gila and bunch grass. The site of the old fort is on a gravelly bluff about thirty feet in height. The trail up the river is generally good. In some places, however, it is washed in gullies and ditches, which would require considerable labor to repair. The limited time prevents a more explicit account of the route.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,