Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, July 30, 1868 (#2)

In this second letter from July 30, 1868, Samuel Reed updates his wife and family with news that he has been reappointed as General Superintendent and Engineer of Construction. He notes that "Division Superintendents receive orders from me on all matters pertaining to construction." Reed plans to get to business immediately, as "the company is straining every nerve to build as much road as it is in the power of man to do before connecting with the Central Pacific."

All is arranged satisfactorily. I go west tonight, am General Superintendent and Engineer of Construction. Division Superintendents receive orders from me on all matters pertaining to construction. All right and to my satisfaction. Will send you a copy of the order as soon after I get to Salt Lake as possible. I have no hopes that I may get time to visit home before winter. We shall soon have men at work two hundred miles west of Salt Lake or to 'Reed's Pass' of the Humboldt Mountain. The company is straining every nerve to build as much road as it is in the power of man to do before connecting with the Central Pacific.

About this Document

  • Source: Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family
  • Citation: Nebraska State Historical Society, Samuel Reed Papers (Union Pacific Railroad Collection), MS 3761, Unit 1, Subgroup 14, Series 1, Box 2, Letters to Wife and Family
  • Date: July 30, 1868