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Ghijiga  March 28 April 9  1866.

To 
Major S. Abasa
Chief of Asiatic Division
Collins Overland Telegraph.

Sir:

At Sitka Russian America August 18" 1865 (U.S.) I received from the Engineer in Chief Special Orders appointing myself commander of the Anadyr River Exploring party, a copy of which orders have been forwarded to you.

I had nothing whatever to do with the fitting out of the party, Lieut. Col Wm B Hyde commanding the Land forces attending to it in person.  The day before we were to sail I received a copy of the transfer of property made to me & on overlooking it found that many articles I much needed had been omitted, [[underline]] especially a tent [[/underline]] to protect my party & stores from the Fall rains we would most certainly encounter in ascending the Anadyr River.  He positively refused to give me a tent tho' there were many at hand for the express use of the exploring parties. [[underline]] He thought [[/underline]] some worthless [[underline]] tent covers sufficient. [[/underline]]  I did not care to complain to the Engineer in Chief who at