First Military Expedition and Earliest Views Along the Oregon Trail

"[Oregon Trail] A Report, in the Form of a Journal, to the Quartermaster General, of the March of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen to Oregon, from May 10 to October 5, 1849... [in] Message from the President of the United States...", U.S. Government

This thick octavo volume contains Major Osborne Cross’ report describing the first military expedition of the Oregon Trail (pages 126-244). Wagner-Camp notes that the report “presents a detailed description of the emigrant trail to Oregon with 36 lithographed views of scenes along the route from Fort Laramie to The Dalles." These lithographs are considered among the earliest views along the route. The list of illustrations calls for 35 plates, but there is an additional view of the Columbia River at The Dalles that is present in all editions. The plates, including 3 that are folding, are bound together as opposed to interspersed within the text as the list of illustrations indicate. 932 pages. Hardbound in quarter black leather with tips over marbled boards with gilt title on the spine.

References: Wagner-Camp #181.3.

Condition: B

The lithographs have light to occasionally moderate foxing. One of the folding plates has some soiling adjacent to a fold and archival repairs to a couple of tears. Text is toned with scattered foxing. Covers are moderately worn with bumped corners.