June 26, 1864 | Letter
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.
June 29, 1864 | Letter
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.
July 3, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from July 3, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his interactions with a small band of Utah Indians and their Chief, Sandpitz. The Indians are friendly, but in Reed's estimation, "are the greatest beggars imaginable." He also notes the progress of his survey, which is over difficult terrain, and expresses his fear that the entire party will strike for higher wages.
July 12, 1864 | Letter
A report about the state of the railroads around Nashville in the wake of ongoing guerilla destruction.
July 24, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from July 24, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family detailing the party's lack of food. He sent a team to Salt Lake City for provisions 8 days before, but they have not returned and the food has run out. Reed again describes his difficulties with workers striking for higher wages and shares plans for his upcoming three-day scouting trip.
August 2, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from August 2, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his three-day scouting trip. After his teamsters returned with provisions, Reed left and quickly encountered a barren desert and desolate mountains. He also notes recent Indian activity 80-100 miles northeast of their party.
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 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 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."
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.
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.
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.
1865 | Letter
In this letter from March of 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, submitting a list of the men he will need for a work party he will take with him to make surveys in the mountains of the Utah Territory. He notes that "if the line is run South of the Unitas and East of Green River a military escort will be necessary for the safty of the party."
March 26, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from March 26, 1865, Mary C.E. writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, describing flooding which has damaged the local railroad and bridges, preventing mail from getting through. She discusses the drafting of a family member, who has not yet received his notice and may therefore avoid having to report for duty. She also notes that an acquaintance died sixteen days after receiving a wound to the ankle in the war, and that his family did not learn of his death for two weeks.