Standard (one hundred and twentieth meridian) time has been furnished to the post by signal from this office throughout the year. Two reports have been made from this office to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, viz: One as to whether the "Taxsas road" in this Territory is a "military road" or not, and one on a military wagon road between Cape Foulweather, in Benton County, and Coos Bay, in Coos County, Oregon. In addition to the above, many reports on different subjects have been made to the assistant adjutant-general, Headquarters Department of the Columbia, and other miscellaneous work done. There have been no funds available in this office during the year. The quartermaster's department has kindly furnished such materials as were necessary to carrying on the work of this office. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. LANGFITT, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. Army. Engineer Officer. ССС 3 EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS IN THE DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC. ANNUAL REPORT OF LIEUTENANT JAMES E. RUNCIE, FIRST ARTILLERY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1888. ENGINEER OFFICE, HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE PACIFIC, San Francisco, Cal., July 7, 1888. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith my report of operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888. First Lieut. Thomas L. Casey, Corps of Engineers, who was on duty here at the commencement of the present fiscal year, was relieved by paragraph 2, Special Orders, Division of the Pacific, No. 61, dated September 19, 1887, in compliance with paragraph 10, Special Orders, No. 211, 1887, Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington. Capt. Daniel D. Wheeler, assistant quartermaster, then assumed charge of the office under paragraph 3, Special Orders, Division of the Pacific, No. 61, September 19, 1887. By virtue of General Orders, No. 2, Headquarters Division of the Pacific, March 3, 1888 (under authority of the Secretary of War), I took charge of the office. Assistant Clement Winstanley has been continually on duty as topographer and draughtsman throughout the year, but in September, 1887, was detailed as clerk to the inspector of rifle practice for the Department of California, which occupies nearly the whole of his time during the target season, leaving all draughting at a complete standstill; in consequence, not so much work has been accomplished as I should wish. The office work has consisted of the following: Made map of portion of California south of Mojave Junction. ENG 88-177 Made drawings of plant, machinery used in the manufacture of high explosives, and the acids necessary to their preparation, from sketches made by Lieut. E. St. J. Greble, Second Artillery, aid-de-Camp. Calculated projection for the map of the Department of Arizona and the District of New Mexico. Collected further data for correcting existing maps of the division. Drew and graduated numerous arcs of 100 degrees for use in sea-coast gun firing at Presidio. Collected data, corrected and compiled map of Fort McDermit, Nev., and Fort Bidwell, Cal., as recommended by the Inspector-General. First Lieut. Thomas L. Casey, Corps of Engineers, in compliance with paragraph 2, Special Orders, No. 66, Headquarters Department of California, August 24, 1887, proceeded at Fort Gaston, Cal., where he made surveys for a new water supply to the post; also for a military telegraph line from the fort to Arcata, Humboldt County, Cal., and submitted reports thereon. First Lieut. James E. Runcie (by paragraph 4, Special Orders, No. 61, Headquarters Division of the Pacific, September 19, 1887) accompanied by Assistant C. Winstanley (paragraph 3, Special Orders, No. 63, Headquarters Division of the Pacific, September 30, 1887), proceeded to Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where a detailed survey for contours was made of the vicinity of the post, with a view to perfecting a system of sewerage, on which an exhaustive report was rendered and drawings made in this office to illustrate same; of which tracings numerous blue prints were made. Calculated and laid out projection of new map of the Department of California by order of the assistant adjutant-general. About onefourth of this map is completed. A few maps have been mounted for officers of the division staff. Surveyed and leveled line of proposed road on the Presidio reservation. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. E. RUNCIE, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. CCC 4. EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE PLATTE. ANNUAL REPORT OF LIEUTENANT HIRAM M. CHITTENDEN, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1888. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PLATTE, ENGINEER OFFICE, Omaha, Nebr., June 30, 1888. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of oper ations for the year ending June 30, 1888: I reported for duty to the commanding general at these headquarters on the 16th of July, 1887, in compliance with paragraph 4, Special Or ders No. 151, current series 1887, headquarters of the Army. On August 10, 1887, I went to Fort Niobrara, Nebr., in compliance with Special Orders No. 69, headquarters Department of the Platte, and surveyed, relocated, and marked the boundaries of that reservation. I returned from this duty September 11, 1887. On November 15, 1887, I went to Bellevue Rifle Range, Nebraska, in compliance with Special Orders No. 115 of these headquarters, and surveyed the range, returning the same day. On May 4, 1888, I went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in compliance with paragraph 1, Special Orders No. 31, current series, headquarters Department of the Platte, and made transcripts of the records of the land office of Wyoming Territory, returning May 11, 1888. On May 16, 1888, I went to Fort Bridger, Wyoming, in compliance with paragraph 2, Special Orders 37, current series, headquarters Department of the Platte, to superintend the laying of a system of waterworks at that post. I returned from that duty June 26, 1888. The above includes all field work or work outside the office during the year. The office work during the year has been as follows: Maps of the Fort Niobrara military reservation and of the Bellevue Rifle Range have been prepared; also a plat showing collectively all the military posts and reservations in the department. All the spare time during the year bas been put upon a map of a part of the Department of the Platte, which is now well under way. In this work I have found the greatest difficulty in getting reliable information, but have spared no pains to settle correctly all disputed points. The map when complete will not be strictly one of this department, but will include that territory lying between 1020 and 114° west longitude, and 39° and 46° north latitude. This includes nearly all the military posts in the Department of the Platte, as well as several in adjoining departments. It also includes all principal places and railroads in the territory of which Wyoming is the center, and for a hundred miles around it. The map will be completed as early as possible, but, owing to the large amount of work outside the office during the present summer, will probably not be completed before the end of this year. I have received from the Engineer Department at Willets Point several instruments which have been placed upon my return. They will be of much use during the present season. There has been the usual office routine work of issuing instruments, maps, etc., to the officers and posts of the department. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. M. CHITTENDEN, First Lieutenant Corps of Engineers, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. Army. |