Henry Larcom Abbot was a career officer in the United States Army, graduating from West Point with a degree in military engineering. Following his distinguished service in the Union Army during the Civil War, he transitioned to a career as a civil engineer. In this capacity, he became a notable consultant on significant projects, including the locks of the Panama Canal.
This report from the 1850s documents the efforts of Lieutenants Abbot and Williamson to explore potential railroad routes through the rugged terrain of the Pacific Northwest. The report includes detailed maps and descriptions of the landscape, as well as fascinating insights into the challenges faced by these intrepid explorers.