Dwaine Schuldt - Report of an Expedition eBook: Report of an Expedition to Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk Rivers In The Territory of Alaska

Report of an Expedition

to

Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk Rivers

In The

Territory of Alaska

A reprint of Allens 1885 Journal

Foreword and Introduction by

Dwaine Schuldt

PO Box 221974 Anchorage, Alaska 99522-1974

ISBN 978-1-59433-109-1
eBook ISBN 978-1-59433-230-2

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2009932666

Copyright 2009 Dwaine Schuldt
Second Edition

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in any form, or by any mechanical or electronic means including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, in whole or in part in any form, and in any case not without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Manufactured in the United States of America.

In the true story reflected in Lt. Allens journal, you will learn of the generosity of Alaskan Natives. Lt. Allens party would not have survived without adapting to the customs of the Alaskans and following their trails. They also would have starved without the food from the Alaskan people. This was the longest exploration of unknown land at this time in the world. Many quests had tried to go inland, but had not returned. This was mainly due to their ill treatment of the Natives. Lt. Allen traveled in a small party and welcomed the help of the Alaskans. He writes here in his journal from a travelers perspective, not from the traditional military aspect. They traveled through the heart of this great land called Alyeska. The three great rivers they traveled had been explored very little by miners or trappers. This was a land largely unexplored by white people, but where Natives had already lived for more than 10,000 years. Lt. Allens journal is published here from the original journal published in 1887. I would like to share this with you, who love to read of history and learn about Alaska. Enjoy the view of Alaska in the 1800s from Lt. Allens journal descriptions of the land and the people.

I was fishing on the Copper River and thinking about how much this area of Alaska has not changed since the Allen expedition came through in 1885. The expeditions goal was to learn about Alaska for the government of the United States. The expedition was putting this unknown land on the map they were creating the maps.

This story is from the heart of a man in the army, but writes from a perspective of a traveler in a strange land. The Allen expedition covered a vast land the size of the 1885 United States in a short time. They were short on food, no shelter for winterbut alive. The village near Chitina was also short on food, and the Natives still took the Allen party in. They all survived by sharing, hunting together, and being friends. This journal is a story of hardships and sharing. Neither group knew each others language, and each were told stories of what to expect in an encounter. It is probably lucky, in their first meeting, that they were all starving. Their relationship that winter with the Chitina Athabascans is what helped them survive the rest of the expedition.

They knew to be cautious, but to be humble and strong. Moving everyday through unknown territory, they were pushed to extremes of Mother Nature at her best. They suffered the torment of bugs, freezing glacial waters, and lack of food. But everyone survived, and with such a small party of only three main expedition members, it has to be one of the smallest.

The adventure is still here in Alaska. I brought a friend to the river for the first time recently to dip net for fish. We jet-boated down into the canyon. I showed her how to hold her net, and boomin less than 10 minutes she had a 50-pound king salmon. It was an adventure of exploration, but on a smaller scale than Allens.

Read and enjoy this true adventure. Bring back to life one of my exploration heroes. What follows is Allens journal as it was published in 1887. I wish I had been there!

Dwaine Schuldt

Anchorage, Alaska

Explorer of all 50 United States, Canada, Greenland, New Zealand,

South America, and Antarctica.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, May 6, 1886.

The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the United States Senate the official report of Lieut. Henry T. Allen, Second Cavalry, of his exploration of the Copper, Tanan, and Koyukuk Rivers of Alaska, in the year 1885, with accompanying maps, photographs, and drawings thereof, the same being transmitted in response to Senate resolution of the 16th ultimo, as follows:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, directed to transmit to the Senate the official report of Lieut. Henry T. Allen, Second United States Cavalry, of his exploration of the Copper, Tanana, and Koyukuk Rivers of Alaska, in the year 1885, for reference to the Committee on Printing.

WM. C. ENDICOTT,

Secretary of War.

The President pro tempore of the United States Senate.

[Special Orders No. 16.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OP THE COLUMBIA,

Vancouver Barracks, Wash. Ter., January 27, 1885.

By authority of the Lieutenant-General of the Army, conveyed in telegram from Division Headquarters, of the 24th instant, Second Lieut. Henry T. Allen, Second Cavalry, acting aide-de-camp, is authorized to make a reconnaissance in Alaska, proceeding up the Copper River and down the Tanan River Valley.

Letter of instruction will be furnished him for his information and guidance.

Lieutenant Allen will be accompanied and assisted by Sergeant Cady Robertson, Troop E, Second Cavalry, and Private Frederick W. Fickett, Signal Corps, ordered to report to him for this purpose.

Lieutenant Allen, with his party, will proceed by the February steamer to Sitka, Alaska, at which place he will engage passage by the schooner Leo, or other conveyance, to Nuchek, the nearest practical harbor to the mouth of Copper River.

Lieutenant Allen will avail himself of every possible opportunity to report his position and future movements.

The Quartermasters Department will furnish the necessary transportation for Lieutenant Allen and party, and the Subsistence Department will furnish the necessary subsistence from stores on hand.

Lieutenant Allen is appointed acting assistant quartermaster, acting commissary of subsistence, and acting ordnance officer of the expedition.

Upon completion of the duty contemplated, Lieutenant Allen will return to these headquarters.

By command of Major-General Pope:

H. CLAY WOOD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Official:

H. CLAY WOOD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE COLUMBIA,

Vancouver Barracks, Wash. Ter., January 27, 1885.

SIR: On your return from your journey to Nuchek, near the mouth of Copper River, Alaska, last month you expressed a strong desire to attempt explorations in that territory, and, as you are aware, I telegraphed Brigadier-General Miles, absent in Washington City, of your anxiety and your proposed plan of action.

General Miles indicated his assent, and on his recommendation the Lieutenant-General commanding the Army, having read your report, has approved and authorized the proposed reconnaissance.

I inclose an official copy of Special Orders, No. 16, of this date, directing the movement of yourself and party, and communicate the following instructions, similar in import to those given Lieutenants Schwatka and Abercrombie, for your information and guidance.