Across America; Or, The Great West and the Pacific Coast

A former Union brigadier‑general, freshly assigned by the Quartermaster‑General’s Office, sets out on a twelve‑month inspection of the army’s western supply bases. Beginning at Fort Leavenworth and winding through Denver, Salt Lake City, and onward to the Pacific, his journey covers roughly 15,000 miles by rail, stagecoach, horseback and steamer. The opening pages lay out his official orders and the practical purpose of trimming the post‑war military budget.

As he moves from rugged mountain passes to the arid deserts of Utah and Arizona, the narrative records the sights, sounds, and people that define the post‑Civil War frontier. He visits remote forts, bustling mining towns, and coastal outposts, often gaining access to locations and information unavailable to ordinary travelers. The account blends vivid descriptions of landscape with candid observations of military logistics and civilian life.

Written from a mixture of formal reports and a personal diary kept during the trek, the work offers listeners both factual detail and the author’s own reflections. It serves as a rare snapshot of a vast, still‑forming nation, inviting audiences to travel alongside a seasoned officer as he maps the Great West and the Pacific Coast.