place; left Mono with the intention of going to the Bear Valley mines, in California; afterward concluded to go to Sonora, Mexico; left Mono in company with William Edwards; knew of no party forming to go south when I started; met Showalter at Los Angeles; he induced me to go to Sonora; was going for the purpose of prospecting; my relatives reside in Arkansas; did not expect to have any difficulty in getting out of California; Wilson was elected captain of the party; intended crossing the Colorado at Fort Yuma; I am a Union man; believe that the present Administration has done right in all things pertaining to the present war with the South; am twentythree years old. XII. Levi Rogers says: JAMES LAWRENCE. I am from the State of Alabama; came to California in 1858; have lived in Sacramento County all the time I have been in the State; am a brother of S. A. Rogers, who is with the party; left Sacramento County alone; met my brother at Visalia; left Sacramento with the intention of going to Sonora; had thought of going to Alabama to see my folks; expected to have no difficulty in going to Alabama and returning when I pleased; am willing to serve the Government of the United States if necessary; am a Union man; do not believe in the doctrine of secession; am willing to take the oath of allegiance; saw a man at Temecula named Morgan, who, I think, told our party that we would probably be arrested if we followed the road; am twenty-five years of age. XIII. Henry Crowell says: LEVI ROGERS. I am from Erie County, Pa.; left there in 1849; went to Illinois; came to California in 1851; have lived most of the time in Mariposa County; am a miner by occupation; started to go to Sonora or Arizona; my object was to prospect for mines; started in company with a man by the name of Gilbert, who is now in Mariposa, and Dan Showalter, who is now here with this party; have mining claims in Mono, to which I intend returning after going to Sonora; I am a constitutional Union man, and believe the Constitution is all Union; am willing to take the oath of allegiance; Ritchie and Morgan at Temecula recommended our party to take the trail to Santa Isabel to strike the overland route at Carriso Creek; seemed to take a good deal of interest in the matter; am twenty-four years of age. XIV. William Turner says: HENRY CROWELL. I was born in Cass County, Ga.; came from Arkansas to California in 1849; have lived in Amador County ever since; am a miner by occupation; left Amador with the intention of spending the winter in Los Angeles; when I got to Los Angeles I heard of a party forming at El Monte to go to Sonora, Mexico; I concluded to join it and bought my horse at El Monte; am a Union man; willing to take the oath of allegiance; am twenty-two years of age. XV. A. King says: WM. TURNER. I am from Carroll County, Tenn.; came from Texas to California in 1854; have been in Oregon part of the time since 1854; am a laborer; have lived in Mariposa the most of the time for the last two years, driving team the most of the time for Colonel Frémont; came from Mono here; left Mono alone; came from Mariposa in company with Wilson and Sumner; thought of going to Texas when I left Mariposa; at the Monte I gave up the idea of going to Texas, and joined the party to go to Sonora; am a Union man; was going to Texas to visit my relatives; intended going through to Texas from Sonora if I could get through; Wilson intended going through to Texas, and Sumner to North Carolina; am willing to take the oath of allegiance; am thirty-five years old. XVI. Dan. Showalter says: A KING. I was born in Greene County, Pa.; came to California in 1852; have lived the greater portion of the time in Mariposa County; my occupation is that of a miner; started for Sonora from Virginia City about one month since; intended going to some mines in Los Alamos, Sonora, and if an opportunity offered, to go through to Texas or Missouri, if I did not like Sonora; had no organized party whatever; started from Virginia City in company with a man by the name of Gilbert; was joined by Crowell at Aurora; Gilbert stopped at Mariposa; taking the trail from Temecula was very much against my wish; a majority of the party were in favor of it, and I acceded to it; am perfectly willing to take the oath of allegiance; am thirty years of age. DAN. SHOWALTER. XVII. Statement of William Hamilton: I am an American citizen; was born near Lexington, Ky.; am fifty-one years of age; left Kentucky when twelve years old; went to Saint Louis, Mo.; resided there eighteen months, then went to Santa Fé, N. Mex.; went from there to the city of Mexico; resided in Mexico till October, 1845; went from Mexico to Pensacola; thence to New Orleans; thence to Corpus Christi; thence to Point Isabel, where I joined Captain Walker's company, and served in General Taylor's army for three months; I then followed the army as contractor and interpreter to the close of the war between the United States and Mexico; resided in the frontier of Mexico till 1850; came from there to California, where I arrived in July or August in the same year went to Fort Tejon in April or May, 1855; had a contract there for making adobes for the Government; resided there till October or November of the same year; went from there to Stockton; worked there awhile at my trade (gunsmithing); resided in the neighborhood of Stockton and Mariposa until about two years ago, when I went to Mono, Cal., where I have resided until about the 1st of October of the present year; came from Mono via Fort Tejon on my way to Fort Yuma; when I left Mono I designed going to Los Angeles to work at my trade; at Los Angeles I heard of a party forming to go to Texas; thought of joining it, but abandoned the idea before leaving Los Angeles. XVIII. E. B. Sumner says: WILLIAM HAMILTON. I am from Perquimans County, N. C.; am thirty-four years old; came to California in 1849; am a miner by occupation; have lived in Mariposa the greater portion of the time in California; knew Showalter in Mariposa; started with Wilson and King; left them at El Monte; at El Monte a man by the name of Morgan came to our camp and said he had heard that our party was going to Texas; Wilson told him that the party was about returning, and had given up the idea of going to Texas; Morgan said that he was going to Texas, and would go alone if he could get no one to go with him; Morgan resides at Temecula; was on my way back from San Bernardino when I met Chum, who told me he was going through to Texas; concluded to go with him; it was my intention to go to North Carolina; am not acquainted in Texas; have always been a Union man; have no idea of taking up arms against the Government of the United States; am willing to take the oath of allegiance. XIX. F. N. Chum says: E. B. SUMNER. I am from Texas; was born in Choctaw County, Miss.; left Mississippi when quite young; am thirty years of age; came to California in 1856 from Arkansas; considered Texas my home; am a laborer by occupation; lived in Tuolumne County mostly; my last residence was in Los Angeles; lived there with a man known as little Jack Watson; my object in going to Texas was to see an aged mother, whom I am anxious to see once more; had no intention of taking up arms against the Government of the United States; consider myself a good and loyal citizen of the United States; am perfectly willing to take the oath of allegiance. [Inclosure No. 3.] F. N. CHUM. I, ———— - do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the Government of the United States; that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies and opposers whatsoever, and that I will support, maintain, and defend the supremacy of the Constitution of the United States, and all laws of Congress made in pursuance thereof, and that I will in all things well and faithfully discharge the duties of a citizen of the United States to the best of my ability. So help me God. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day of December, 1861. Camp Wright, Oak Grove Station, San Diego County, Southern California. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles, Cal., December 7, 1861. The above is a true copy of the oath administered by Maj. E. A. Rigg, First Infantry California Volunteers, and by Lieut. J. P. Hargrave, First Infantry California Volunteers, post adjutant at Camp Wright, to the men composing the party with Dan. Showalter. It was sworn and subscribed to by the following named persons: T. A. Wilson, William Woods, C. Benbrook, William Sands, T. L. Roberts, R. H. Ward, T. W. Woods, J. M. Sampson, S. A. Rogers, William Edwards, James Lawrence, William Turner, A. King, Levi Rogers, Henry Crowell, Dan. Showalter, William Hamilton, E. B. Sumner, F. N. Chum. BEN. C. CUTLER, First Lieut., First Infty. California Vols., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. [Inclosure No. 4.] TEMECULA, CAL., November 30, 1861. FRIEND WILD: Times have changed so that I feel it will be impossible for me to get to my friends in the East, and therefore have half resolved to stay in the God-forsaken country, provided I can get a situation in a place where I will be satisfied. Now I think that if I could get a place with Jeagers, at the Colorado River, I might be contented for a few years. When you go out I wish you would speak to Jeagers or some one out at the river in my behalf. I will be satisfied with any agreement that you may make, so I am well paid. I hear nothing of interest from the States. Yours, truly, E. M. MORGAN. P. S.-I would write more, but I am afraid that I might spin off on a subject that would not be acceptable to some people, provided this did not reach you in safety. Yours, &c., E. M. M. TEMECULA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, FRIEND FRANK: For the last chance I drop you a few lines, that you may know we are on the road at last, and are now within forty miles of Warner's ranch. We will leave the road at this place to avoid the troops at that place, as they are aware that we are coming and are looking for us, and the chances are that we would have some trouble with them. We will have to cross the Colorado in Sonora to avoid Fort Yuma. Perhaps the chances are tough, though I think we will make it. It is quite different to what I thought it was when I wrote you before. There are nineteen of us in company, and all in good spirits. There are eleven of them that you know, though I don't think it policy to do so at this time. Give my respects to all the boys; so good-by once more. I will write again if I have a chance. Yours, respectfully, C. BENBROOK. ALLISON AND POWELL: TEMECULA. DEAR FRIENDS: After waiting at Los Angeles and getting no word from you I thought it best to leave, as the boys were getting very impatient. We expected to have from 50 to 100 men, but we number only twenty as yet. Still we expect a party of twenty men from San Bernardino to overtake us. If you get ready to come soon communicate with Sam. Brooks at Sacramento. My kind regards to all the boys. Why did not Gilbert come? We will cross the Colorado at Gonzales' Ferry, in Sonora, about thirty miles below the fort. No one can pass that point now without submitting to be searched or taking the oath. Your friend, SHOWALTER. TEMECULA, November 25, 1861. FRIEND COULTER: We arrived here this evening, all in good health and spirits. Our animals are in good condition. I have three good ones, and have no fears of getting through. We will be compelled to cross the Colorado south of Fort Yuma about thirty miles, on the Sonora side, in order to avoid trouble. After that, if they annoy us, we will make the best fight we can. Remember me to Mrs. Coulter and all friends, and especially to Gifford and Nether Wood. Truly, your friend, DAN. SHOWALTER. TEMECULA, 100 MILES SOUTH OF LOS ANGELES, G. H. CRENSHAW, Esq.: November 26, 1861. DEAR FRIEND: We reached here this evening, all well, and I have only time to say good by. Write to Scott and Montre at Aurora for me. I have not time. Baker is well and sends his kind wishes. We will cross the Colorado in about six days, but will be compelled to cross on the Mexican side in order to avoid trouble at Fort Yuma. Remember me kindly to all the boys. Truly, your friend, DAN. S. TEMECULA, 100 MILES SOUTH OF LOS ANGELES, Hon. SAMUEL BROOKS: MY DEAR FRIEND: I received your letter at Los Angeles, but was very busy. I forgot to reply. We left Los Angeles four days ago, and will reach the Colorado in about six more. We will be compelled to cross the river about thirty miles below Fort Yuma on the Sonora side, as no one can pass that point without submitting to a search. This, of course, would not suit me. If you should come this road during the winter, come to Los Angeles by water and get your outfit there. Your animals will then be fresh and ready for a start. Remember me kindly to all friends. Very truly, your friend, "ON THE WAY." TEMECULA, November 26, 1861. DEAR BROTHER: Our party arrived at this place at sundown tonight, which is about 100 miles from Los Angeles. We had quite a pleasant trip after we got started. We are now within about fifty miles of Warner's ranch, where there are about 200 troops stationed and about thirty dragoons. We will leave here in the morning by way of a trail to avoid the stationed troops. We expect to cross the Colorado below the fort in order to avoid the stationed troops at Fort Yuma. I have nothing more of interest to write. Woods is well and in our party. He came down from San Francisco by stage. We expect some difficulty in getting across the river. I have received no letters from you since the answer to mine sent you by Woods. Give my compliments to my friend O. Will write as soon as convenient. Yours, brotherly, T. L. ROBERTS. No. 3. Report of Capt. Henry A. Greene, First California Infantry. [NOVEMBER 30, 1861.] MAJOR: My command, with detachment from Company F, of ten men, First Infantry Regiment California Volunteers, left Oak Grove Station November 28, 1861, at 1.30 p. m., in accordance with instructions from Maj. E. A. Rigg, commanding Camp Wright and Oak Grove, in San Diego County, Cal., and proceeded to the Indian village (Village of the Cross), where I detached Second Lieut. W. B. Smith, of Company G, First Infantry Regiment California Volunteers, with twentythree men, to guard the pass entering San José Vailey from Pala. I then proceeded with the residue of my command (thirty-four rank and file) on the trail leading to O'Campo's ranch, or Santa Isabel, where I arrived with twenty-six men at 1 a. m. the 29th of November, 1861. On my arrival at Santa Isabel scouts were sent to learn the movements of the enemy. At 12 m. the scouts returned, informing me of the capture of the enemy. Upon receiving this news I immediately sent a dispatch to Maj. E. A. Rigg, informing him also of the capture, whereupon I received a message from Maj. E. A. Rigg informing me to return to camp at Oak Grove Station. I immediately retraced my steps, arriving at Oak Grove Station on the 30th day of November, 1861. I have the honor to submit the above report to your consideration. HENRY A. GREENE, Capt., Comdg. Company G, First Infantry California Volunteers. Maj. EDWIN A. RIGG, Commanding First Infantry Regiment California Volunteers. No. 4. Reports of Lieut. Chauncey R. Wellman, First California Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS, Camp Wright, November 22, 1861. MAJOR: I have the honor to present you with a report of a detachment of cavalry on patrol duty, under my command, pursuant to special orders from the headquarters at Camp Wright, dated November 19, 1861: I left Camp Wright at 8 a. m. November 20, 1861, and proceeded to Santa Isabel; was delayed about one hour at Buena Vista looking for Francisco O'Campo, two miles from here. I with my detachment arrived at Santa Isabel at 11 a. m. I immediately proceeded to examine a trail leading from that place to Temecula and the |