Reports of explorations and surveys to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean Made under the direction of the secretary of war, in 1853-[6]

See Wagner-Camp. Plains & the Rockies (1982, 4th edition) for detailed information on pagination, collation and contents of the individual volumes

For further information concerning the publication of the work and a list of serial numbers assigned to the volumes in the Congressional series of documents, see checklist of United States public documents. 1911, pages 1274-1275

Supplement to volume I (the material of which was published also in volume XII, book I and book II) was issued in at least three forms: Supplement to volume I, 1859, W. A. Harris, printer, as 35th Congress, 2nd session. Senate executive document 46-Volume XII, book I-II, 1860, T.H. Ford, printer, as 36th Congress, 1st session. House executive document 56, and Senate executive document [no number]

The reports of the Pacific railroad surveys were prepared under the direct supervision of the Engineer department. The volume dealing with the soil, climate, geology, botany and zoology of the regions surveyed were edited and revised by Professors Henry and Baird of the Smithsonian Institutition. See Ingersoll, History of the War Department of the United States, 1879, pages 292-293

"The Quarto Edition [of the Pacific Railroad Reports] began to appear in 1855, concluding in 1861 with Volume XII. Despite their flaws, these volumes contain a monumental collection of scientific information, geographical, zoological, botanical, geological, of the still mysterious American West. Upon first examination, the volumes seem forbiddingly disorganized; reports clearly were printed as they were received; there is no overall system or arrangement, nor are there general indices to the volumes, and, as Camp has pointed out, there is the usual duplication of printing and lithography by both houses of Congress"--Wagner-Camp

Volumes I-XI were issued in the Congressional series of U.S. public documents as 33rd Congress, 2nd session. House executive document 91, and also as Senate executive document 78. Volume XI was issued also (1861) as 36th Congress, 2nd session. Senate executive document [no number]

For further information concerning the publication of the work and a list of serial numbers assigned to the volumes in the Congressional series of documents, see Checklist of United States public documents, 1911, pages 1274-1275

Wagner, H.R. Plains & the Rockies (4th ed.), 262-267

University of California, San Diego. Hill collection of Pacific voyages, 1281

Also available online

Elecresource

I. Introduction. Route near the 47th and 49th parallels -- II. Routes near 38th and 39th, 41st, and 32d parallels. Landers's report -- III-IV. Route near the 35th parallel -- V. Routes in California to connect with those near the 35th and 32d parallels -- VI. Routes in Oregon and California -- VII. Route in California to connect with those near the 35th and 32d parallels. Route between the Rio Grande and Pimas villages -- VIII. Mammals of the several routes -- IX. Birds of the several routes -- X. Reptiles and fishes of the several routes ; Zoological reports on routes near 38th and 39th, 41st 35th and 32d parallels ; On routes in California to connect with those near 35th and 32d parallels ; Reptiles of routes in California and Oregon -- XI. Material used and methods employed in compiling the general map ; [Topographical maps, etc.] -- XII. Route near the 47th and 49th parallels (concluded)