States to possess, but which Mexico claimed. After some negotiations, Mexico finally ceded it to the United States, relinquishing all her right on payment of a stipulated amount.

The necessity of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific States by one or more railroads, led the Government at this time to employ army engineers in exploring the best routes for such a road. Some of these expeditions underwent great sufferings in the mountains, and Captain Gunnison's party lost its commander and several of the party, who were murdered by the Indians in the Wasatch Mountains.

To quicken communication until such time as should see the great railroads completed, overland wagon-roads and pony expresses were established. Foremost in this enterprise was Lander afterward distinguished in the army.

16

GENERAL FREDERICK W. LANDER.

DIED OF A WOUND AT PAW-PAW, MARCH 4, 1862.

FREDERICK W. LANDER was born in Salem, Dec. 17, 1822, son of Edward Lander, Esq. He has a distinguished ancestry. His great-great-grandfather, Richard Derby, on his mother's side, was commander of the first party that ever withstood British aggression. His great-grandfather, Elias Hasket Derby, sent the first ship from the United States to the East Indies. His grandfather, Nathaniel West, was the noted captain, in the Revolutionary War, of the Black Prince privateer Oliver Cromwell. His mother, Eliza West Lander, was a relative of Sir Benjamin West.

His boyhood was noted for bold, daring adventure. He was cel ebrated, even then, as a shot, leaper, wrestler, boxer, and equestrian. He graduated with high honors at Partridge's Academy, commencing the practice of his profession at the early age of sixteen. When the Government explorations were organized, in 1853, for the Northern Pacific Railroad, he was appointed by Government civil engineer to report upon the practicability of that route. Not satisfied with this route, he organized a party at his own expense, and explored a central line across the continent. This party endured incredible hard

ships, and was soon reduced to one individual besides himself,--many days subsisting upon thistle-roots and mule-meat. His only companion died after reaching the Missouri river. Congress adopted the report of this route. The views therein wrought a revolution in the public mind on the subject of the Pacific Railroad. Its original method of construction has been indorsed by the ablest professional men in the country.

Soon after this patriotic service he was appointed chief engi neer of the Central Overland Wagon Road. He performed the unprecedented trip of four thousand six hundred miles in four months and fifteen days. With one set of animals he explored, at great peril, thirteen unknown passes of the Wahsatch mountain range. At San Francisco, the Pacific Railroad Convention of the States of California and Oregon, and Washington Territory, adopted the route he had then explored, as their choice for a Pacific Railroad. In April, 1858, he was appointed Superintendent of the United States Overland Wagon Road Expedition, and early in October the work was completed. It is three hundred and fifty miles in length,-forty miles of heavy timber cut and removed; seven bridges, two block-houses, and two corrals erected; 92,000 cubic yards of earth, loose rock, and ledge excavated and placed in embankments; 3000 miles travelled by the same set of mules which left the States. This work was accomplished by forced marches through a hostile country-an immense labor performed without the loss of one man. In 1859-'60, he again crossed. During the last expedition, his party was attacked by Pah-Utes Indians, three to one white man. The fight lasted throughout the day. They drove the Indians from rock to rock until they were completely routed, and driven three days' march to the north. Super

intendent Lander closed up the terrible Pah-Ute War of Western Utah with his gallant band of seventy men, thus protecting the lives of hundreds of emigrants. The treaty was concluded with Winnemuck, the chief. Gen. Scott highly complimented him upon his great efficiency and military skill in so rapidly and successfully closing this horrible war upon emigrant trains and poor settlers.

It is especially worthy of note, that, of the appropriations of Congress for the surveys and constructions under his superintendence, in two seasons alone of surveys he brought back upwards of a hundred thousand dollars of unexpended funds-a notable example of trustworthy, faithful public service. His reports to the Secretary of the Interior, on file in Washington, display vast scientific knowledge and research, together with originality and power. During these explorations, surveys, and building of wagon road, and his celebrated Pony Express, he also made himself famous by his determined daring and courage,-attacking single-handed, with revolver, a grizzly bear of the largest class. For this bold feat, he received from the Indians the name of "Grizzly," by which he was known all along the Pacific border.

In Washington, when struck down from behind his back by a slung-shot, he instantly rose, and in a few seconds conquered his adversary. His noble conduct in the Potter and Pryor duel, which resulted in settlement, is well known. In the earliest dawn of the rebellion, he foresaw great danger to his country, and at once offered his services "in any capacity, at any time, and for any duty, it might please the General to assign him." General Scott thanked him for his frank and patriotic proposition, expressing the hope that there would be no necessity for calling upon any one. But

almost immediately Lander was sent upon a secret mission to Texas, where, because the use of the telegraph might have made his pur. poses known, he took the responsibility at once of stopping certain military movements in that section of the country.

At his return, upon the very day and hour he originally named, after the full accomplishment of his confidential errand, his proceedings, civil and military, met an entire approval. When Washington was

in imminent danger, he volunteered a lonely reconnoissance across the river. At midnight, on horseback, he entered the rebel lines, and returned with full information of the enemy's forces and position. He was sent to Annapolis during that same week, and extricated himself from every peril, accomplishing his mission with rapidity; also assisting in forwarding the troops to Washington. Desirous of immediately serving his country, he hurried to the war in Western Virginia, where he served as a volunteer upon General McClellan's staff. In June, Colonel Lander was dispatched by General McClellan to Grafton, to direct the garrison of troops and repair the railroad. When the attack on Philippi was decided on, the following order was issued: "Colonels Kelly, Furness, Dumont, and Crittenden, will act under the orders of F. W. Lander, by virtue of his authority as aid to General McClellan." The brilliant success of this exploit against Philippi is well known. Having made his reconnoissance by night alone, in a terrific storm, he ordered Colonel Kelly to attack the rear while he would engage the enemy in front. in front. All night they marched through darkness, rain, and mud. Colonel Lander's division marched the last five miles in one hour and a half, arriving promptly on time, and halted, expecting to hear from Kelly. But that gallant officer, pushing on through the storm, was directed by his guide the wrong road. The hour came