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St. Michaels Norton Sound
12th Aug. 1867

Capt. F. Ketchum,
Com'd'g Youken Division
W. U. Tel. Exp.

Sir:

On the 26th May last, the river being considered open, I started accompanied by Lieut. Dall, for Nuklukayette & Fort Youken, the Russians leaving for the former place at the same time.  The first two or three days made but little progress, the water very strong, and choked with logs, driftwood and ice, and our bardarre constantly needing repairs.  Kuriles was our steersman, proving himself au fait in the somewhat difficult task, and we had two Indians rowing whilst Dall and myself paddled. The river was unusually high at starting, and the islands at and above Coyukuk submerged we passing over the tops of the smaller trees frequently.

  A large number of Coyukons accompanied the Russians and ourselves and from them we got some little supplies, dry meat, ducks and geese &c.

 For three or four days much rain, after that to the English Fort but little bad