would respectfully represent that said Indians have been robbing and killing our citizens, and for the protection of our lives and property we invoke Government aid. On the 25th instant one Thomas Allen, a teamster, was killed and scalped on the road from Stratton's Mill to Keefer's, his four mules shot, a valley Indian accompanying him also shot, but escaped. Three children, a boy and two girls, were gathering blackberries on Rock Creek, about six miles east of the Shasta road, where on searching for them their horses were found shot, but the children gone, leaving evidence of a struggle for escape. Portions of their dresses were found near the horses. These children are now doubtless in possession of the Indians. Parties are now in pursuit of them, but it is difficult to obtain arms and means enough to successfully pursue them. The committee has appointed Dr. S. M. Sproul to wait upon Your Excellency and more fully present our case. J. S. HENNING, Chairman, GEO. WEST, S. M. SPROUL, H. H. JOHNSON, Committee. W. H. RECTOR, HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF Oregon, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., June 27, 1862. Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Salem, Oreg.: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that directions have been received by me from department headquarters to confer with you upon the requirements of a military force near Jacksonville for protective purposes. The only disposable troops for such service now under my command is the First Oregon Cavalry Battalion (four companies), Lieutenant-Colonel Maury commanding. This battalion is now moving toward Fort Walla Walla, where it had been deemed important to concentrate the entire regiment, with a view to early movements into the Salmon River mining country and along the overland emigrant trail. I will retain one company of this regiment at Camp Clackamas, near Oregon City, for the present, and have respectfully to request that you will at your earliest convenience furnish me with your views and wishes upon the subject indicated. Let me suggest to you that as the California volunteers now on duty in this district are being gradually withdrawn to be relieved by the Oregon cavalry and Washington Territory infantry and that there is the well-founded belief of urgent demand for troops east of Fort Walla Walla the present season, a wellauthenticated necessity only should divert this company from its march. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. SPECIAL ORDERS, No. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF Oregon, I. In conformity to instructions from headquarters Department of the Pacific, Fort Umpqua will be abandoned forthwith. JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdy. District. SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 24. * HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, * II. Major Rinearson, First Oregon Cavalry, will repair without delay to Camp Clackamas and assume command. JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. SPECIAL ORDERS, Į HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., June 27, 1862. I. Capt. F. Seidenstriker, First Washington Territory Infantry, with his company (D), will proceed without delay to Fort Hoskins, Oreg., and relieve Capt. J. C. Schmidt, Second California Infantry. The latter on being relieved will without delay repair with his company to Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter. JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT Of Oregon, Lieut. Col. R. F. MAURY, Under Orders for Fort Walla Walla, Wash. Ter.: SIR: On arriving at Fort Dalles you will take prompt measures to prosecute your march to Fort Walla Walla with the three companies of cavalry under your command. Transportation, the allowance of two wagons to a company, will be furnished you by the commanding officer at Fort Dalles, as also ten days' subsistence for the march. Report has been made to these headquarters that a band of thieves are driving a number of Government mules stolen from Fort Walla Walla. It is desired to apprehend them and recover the property, and it has been suggested that by detaching a small portion of your command near John Day's River and sending them around by the headwaters of Butter Creek, there is a good prospect of recovery. Mr. Hamason, of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, is fully informed upon the matter and the locality, and I have to request that you will consult him on arriving at The Dalles and use your own judgment as to the necessity of dispatching such a party and its direction. If any appre hension be made take the property and thieves to Fort Walla Walla. Trusting to hear of the early and safe arrival of your command at Fort Walla Walla, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: On the 26th instant I reviewed and inspected the Third Infantry California Volunteers, commanded by Col. P. E. Connor, encamped near Stockton. The regiment made a very fine appearance; the arms, clothing, and equipments were in high order. The industry and untiring zeal and energy of Colonel Connor is manifest throughout. He has a regiment that the State may well be proud of. Colonel Connor has a field battery of four guns in fine order which he will take with him on his march to Salt Lake. The colonel will march on the 5th proximo. I am preparing the headquarters and two companies of the Second Cavalry, under Colonel Sims, now encamped at Camp Alert, near this city, to follow the movement of Colonel Connor, in connection with forces destined for the protection of the Overland Mail Route. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WRIGHT, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegraphic dispatches of the 19th and 25th of this month. In anticipation of the intentions of the War Department, I had previously assigned Brigadier-General Alvord to the command of the District of Oregon. My latest advices from Colonel Steinberger, commanding the District of Oregon, represent everything as quiet in that quarter. Colonel Cornelius, with his headquarters and two companies of Oregon cavalry, had reached Fort Walla Walla. The balance of the regiment (four companies) would move from the Willamette Valley to Walla Walla as soon as the route over the portage at the Cascades was practicable. The unprecedented rise of the Columbia River had destroyed a portion of the railroad, swept away the bridges on the military road, and caused a suspension of the transit of troops and supplies, but I am assured by the president of the transportation company that the road will be repaired within ten days. From the District of Humboldt I have nothing new to report. The Indians still continue to commit depredations, and Colonel Lippitt, the commander, is actively engaged with his troops in protecting the inhabitants and collecting the Indians prepar atory to their removal to the reservation. In the Southern District of California quiet prevails. Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, has moved with three companies of his regiment from Camp Latham, near Los Angeles, north to the vicinity of Owen's Lake to look after the Indians in that quarter who have assumed a hostile attitude. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, G. WRIGHT, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, Col. FRANCIS J. LIPPITT, Second Infantry California Volunteers, Commanding District of Humboldt, Fort Humboldt, Cal.: SIR: The general commanding the department desires the whole of Captain Stuart's company concentrated at Camp Lincoln. All the movable property at Ter-Waw will be taken to that camp. The supplies for Camp Lincoln will be landed at Crescent City and transported thence by land. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have the honor to inform you that this morning LieutenantColonel Maury with the last company of his battalion went up the river to Fort Dalles and Fort Walla Walla. He will probably move with his three companies on the 30th by land to the latter post. Information having been furnished me that a band of thieves are herding a large number of mules stolen from the Government at Fort Walla Walla in one of the small valleys to the right of the crossing on John Day's River, I have directed Colonel Maury to detach near that point a small force and scour the country in that neighborhood and attempt the recovery of the property. The fourth company of this battalion (Company C, Captain Kelly) will remain at this post and Camp Clackamas until a reply is received to my communication to the superintendent of Indian affairs of Oregon, heretofore referred to. Two companies of the First Washington Territory Infantry (B and C) under Major Rumrill left here on the 25th for Fort Colville with directions to use the utmost dispatch on the march. Every precaution had been taken to insure their speedy and safe arrival at that post, personally superintended by myself and staff officer. I regret to mention, in explanation of Special Orders, No. 27, accompanying, that from some neglect, confusion, or incapacity the subsistence (fifteen days') was left behind at Cascade Portage. This command, in order to effect the speedy relief of Major Curtis and his two companies, was pressed forward while the portage presented some obstruction. Yet I can imagine no justification for such grave mischance, for the command was guarded against all probable contingency of accident and with the clearest and most detailed instructions for the march. Lieutenant Hughes has been directed to overtake and make a critical inspection of the troops and property of the command, and especially investigate the causes of the error referred to. He is also instructed to take prompt and immediate measures to promote the rapid march of the column to its destination, using his own judgment in correctionary means even to the arrest and displacement of any officer of the command. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. SPECIAL ORDERS, Į HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, No. 27. S Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., June 28, 1862. First Lieut. W. B. Hughes, Ninth Infantry, U. S. Army, acting assistant adjutant-general, will accompany the command of Major Rumrill as far as Wallula, taking such measures to promote the march toward Fort Colville as he may deem proper under instructions this day transmitted to him. From Wallula he will proceed to Fort Walla Walla and personally direct the prompt execution of orders already furnished the commanding officer of that post for transportation for this command from Palouse Depot. Lieutenant Hughes will repair without delay to Fort Vancouver upon the completion of the duties herein directed. JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. SPECIAL ORders, { HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON, Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., June 30, 1862. I. Maj. J. S. Rinearson, First Oregon Cavalry, with Company C of the same regiment, will proceed without delay and take post at Camp Baker, near Jacksonville, Oreg. II. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation for the prompt execution of this order. JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. HEADQUARTERS, Cañada del Oro, Ariz. Ter., June 30, 1862. Lieut. BEN. C. CUTLER, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. for Column from California, Tucson: LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the following changes in the location of the troops under my command, viz: On the 28th instant Companies D and E, First Cavalry California Volunteers, Lieutenant Thompson's artillery detachment, the quartermaster's and commissary stores, left Fort Stanford and arrived at this camp at 2 p. m. the same day. The next day I returned two wagons for Company A, First Cavalry California Volunteers, which arrived here to day at 3 p. m. Grass is abundant here, but water very scarce. In fact, in the course of a day or two there would not be water enough for one company of cavalry, as the holes and springs in the bed of the creek are fast drying up. I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. J. PISHON, Captain, First Cavalry California Volunteers, Commanding. P. S.-It will require four more wagons to move the command, as the teams I now have are almost entirely broken down. N. J. P. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICt of Oregon, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have the honor to report that in reply to my communication on the subject the superintendent of Indian affairs for Oregon has represented the urgent necessity of a military force near Jacksonville for the protection of the inhabitants of that section of country from Indians. In compliance with instructions from department headquarters and this representation, Maj. J. S. Rinearson with one company (C) of the First Oregon Cavalry, is under orders to take post at Camp Baker, near Jacksonville, Oreg. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JUSTUS STEINBERGER, Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District. |