August 15, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from August 15, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his difficulties in surveying the route for the Union Pacific Railroad line, including the high cost of food. He mentions that the party spent four days in country with no drinkable water. Despite these hardships, Reed and his party have finished their first survey and are returning to Salt Lake City.
August 17, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from August 17, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing new instructions from Union Pacific headquarters in Omaha. He is directed to survey a new line from Utah Lake to the Bear River Valley (Utah).
September 13, 1864 | Letter
J. M. Nash requests a guard to ensure that the African American engineer at the Lavergne station is not harassed or his work interfered with.
September 16, 1864 | Letter
George Rosser asks that small houses be built for the families of black railroad laborers.
September 18, 1864 | Letter
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.
October 1, 1864 | Illustration
This image from the October 1, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the destruction of railway cars by Confederate General John Bell Hood before the evacuation of Atlanta during the American Civil War.
October 2, 1864 | Letter
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.
October 16, 1864 | Letter
Labor bosses ask Adna Anderson to pressure the Quarter Master to approve the sale of winter clothing to contrabands.
October 22, 1864 | Letter
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.
October 22, 1864 | Illustration
This image from the October 22, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the arrival of fresh recruits by train during the Battle of Peeble's Farm as part of Union General Ulysses S. Grant's Virginia Campaign during the American Civil War.
October 27, 1864 | Letter
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."
October 31, 1864 | Time Table
This timetable, which took effect October 31, 1864, shows departure times and fares on the Brookline Branch Railroad. It also features a complete schedule for "Newton Special Trains."
November 5, 1864 | Illustration
This image from the November 5, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a train in the distance as Union soldiers under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant build a road near Petersburg, Virginia during the American Civil War.
November 5, 1864 | Illustration
This image from the November 5, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a Union military railroad near Petersburg, Virginia during the American Civil War.
November 17, 1864 | Letter
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.
November 26, 1864 | Illustration
This image from the November 26, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the railroad depot in Atlanta, Georgia.
December 10, 1864
In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.
December 10, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.
December 24, 1864 | Annual report
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.
January 13, 1865 | Letter
In this short letter from January 13, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his work schedule and informs them that he hopes to head west again before March 1.