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  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, June 12, 1864

    In this letter from June 12, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his first forty miles of surveying. Reed describes the high prices for various foodstuffs—including $14.00 for 100 pounds of flour—all of which were purchased from Mormons on the trail, by order of Brigham Young.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, June 18, 1864

    In this letter from June 18, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family detailing the difficulty of the terrain. In three weeks he has only surveyed 24 miles. Reed also notes the pleasant climate, comments on the price of gold, and describes a few of the men in his party.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, June 26, 1864

    In this letter from June 26, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his hard work over the previous week. Reed also mentions the recent change in his diet, as he caught two brook trout and another member of the party shot an antelope.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, June 29, 1864

    In this letter from June 29, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a strike among his workers. He notes that the men have agreed to keep working until he receives a message from Salt Lake City. Reed again notes the high food prices, though they have plenty to eat.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, June 4, 1865

    In this letter from June 4, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his preparations to start another survey the following morning. Reed outlines his potential route and notes the inexperience of his crew, as most of his previous group found other employment. He also details an upcoming Indian gathering, featuring all of the tribes in the vicinity of Salt Lake and Brigham Young.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, June 7, 1864

    In this letter from June 7, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his first few days of work surveying a route for the Union Pacific railroad. He comments on his living quarters, bed, and food.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 14, 1865

    In this short letter from May 14, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his arrangements to leave Omaha at 8:00 p.m. that evening with two assistants. His bill for the stage is an exorbitant $1,200.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 21, 1864

    In this letter from May 21, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his travel from Atchison, Kansas to Salt Lake City. He spent thirteen days and nights on the stage coach with nine other passengers and describes the weather and terrain he encountered.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 21, 1865

    In this letter from May 21, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting their arrival in Denver after a week-long stagecoach ride. Reed notes the ample evidence of Indian attacks along the route.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 26, 1864

    In this letter from May 26, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the pleasant condition of Salt Lake City and its exceptional organization.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 3, 1864

    In this letter from May 3, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his upcoming trip to Salt Lake City via the Overland Stage. He notes that in Atchison he has seen many runaway slaves from Missouri. This letter also includes Reed's instructions from Peter Dey in the Engineer's Office.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 8, 1864

    In this letter from May 8, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficulty in arranging travel due to the gold-seekers and notes the exceptionally high stage coach fares.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, November 17, 1864

    In this short letter from November 17, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the wind and cold he endured during a 20-day stagecoach ride from Salt Lake City.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, October 2, 1864

    In this letter from October 2, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his time in Salt Lake City following his second survey. He notes that Brigham Young gave him some excellent peaches and that he will head out again for three weeks, then return home.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, October 22, 1864

    In this letter from October 22, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his return to Salt Lake City following his third survey trip for the Union Pacific Railroad.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, October 27, 1864

    In this letter from October 27, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting his new assignment to "go west and explore on horseback the route out of the desert."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, September 18, 1864

    In this letter from September 18, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his inability to write sooner and his overall good health.

  • | Annual report

    Report from Division Engineer Samuel B. Reed to Chief Engineer Peter A. Dey Describing Survey from Green River to Salt Lake City, December 24, 1864

    In this December 24, 1864 report, Samuel B. Reed describes his surveys and explorations of the land from Green River, Utah to Salt Lake City. He gives his recommendations for the route of the Union Pacific Railroad line, including the availability of timber for railroad ties and coal to power the locomotives.