Western Union Telegraph Expedition Collection (1865-1867)

This collection of papers includes correspondence, mostly addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Spencer F. Baird, from members of the Scientific Corps of the Western Union Telegraph Expedition, including Kennicott, Dall, Bannister, and Elliott; copies of reports submitted to divisional chiefs from expedition staff members; newspaper clippings concerning the expedition; copies of notes on natural history taken by Robert Kennicott; and a journal containing meteorological data recorded by Henry M. Bannister from March to August, 1866. Below are 25 reports and sets of correspondence that have been transcribed by our digital volunteers. The collection's finding aid can be viewed here.