approaching that location from this side is over an immense landslide, full sixty rods across, or by going upon the mountain and coming down. to it from above by the Weaverville trail. By order of Captain Douglas: P. B. JOHNSON, Second Lieutenant and Post Adjutant. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY OREGON VOLUNTEERS, General WRIGHT, Portland, Oreg., April 14, 1862. Commanding Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: Herewith I forward a communication from Lieutenant-Colonel Maury for your consideration. His views in regard to the requirement of a military force in Southern Oregon, as far as my knowledge extends, are correct. The two last companies mustered by Lieutenant-Colonel Maury being so near full, and being composed of good men well mounted, I would urge upon you (the matter being in your discretion) to increase the regiment to seven companies. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. R. CORNELIUS, Colonel First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers. [Inclosure.] CAMP BAKER, JACKSON COUNTY, OREG., March 27, 1862. Col. G. WRIGHT, U. S. Army, Commanding Department of the Pacific: SIR: On account, no doubt, of the threatening appearance of Indian affairs in Washington Territory and Oregon there are rumors that the troops now in this part of the State are to be removed north. In consideration that this might be the case in an emergency, I deem it my duty to represent to you our condition. The eastern frontier of Southern Oregon is occupied solely by Indians, though it contains large valleys susceptible of cultivation as well as extensive range for stock. If there should be war with the Indians north, the probability of which is unquestionably great, it will involve the Indians south. They are well aware that two-thirds of our citizens will leave for the northern mines, and anxious at the same time, naturally, to commit depredations upon the settlements. This will leave Jackson County especially exposed, and offer inducements to make equal cause with the Indians of the north as well as to commit depredations (which will necessarily lead to war) on their own account. Aside from any predisposition of these Indians for hostilities, they may find aggravations from the fact that their country will be extensively prospected and traveled over by parties going to Salmon River mines, or those of Humboldt River, who, through thoughtlessness or recklessness, may provoke hostilities from which the innocent are always the greatest sufferers. Without being able to obtain positive evidence of the fact, I am satisfied that they have accumulated this winter a large amount of ammunition. In connection with this I ask respectfully to suggest that a military establishment east of this valley has been for a long time necessary to the promotion of the interests in every respect of Southern Oregon and Northern California. Its importance under present circumstances is largely increased. It will lead to the peaceable development of a large tract of agricultural and mineral district now unoccupied with but little additional cost to the Government. Troops in that direction would be convenient enough to attend to any emergency that might arise from the present disturbed condition of the country. In this end of the State we are about evenly divided as to the national issue. On account of the agitations consequent upon our coming elections, as well as those that may occur from possible reverses to the national arms, our condition cannot be foretold. Under the instructions from Adjutant-General's Office of September 24, 1861, after consultation with the gentlemen embraced in them, I proceeded to organize four companies in the southern part of the State. Two were promptly filled in this county. The severity of the winter postponed for some time the necessary steps for the organization of the other two. Good substantial citizens were selected in the adjoining counties, who immediately applied themselves to raise the other two. The continued severity of the weather, with much local opposition, prevented their completion before the receipt of your order reducing the regiment to six companies (it was forwarded promptly to the parties concerned). On the 24th of February forty enlisted men were mustered in for one of these companies, and on the 12th March fifty for the other-between these dates and the receipt of your order. I am informed that they number about seventy each enlisted men. It will be a severe disappointment to those who have worked under many disadvantages, now that they have nearly the required number, after their efforts and outlays, to be left out. If the requirements of the service and your duty will allow it, I respectfully ask a favorable consideration for them; that is, that they may be allowed to fill these companies, thus making the seventh of the regiment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. F. MAURY, Lieutenant-Colonel First Cavalry Oregon Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, San Francisco, Cal., April 15, 1862. Col. JAMES II. CARLETON, Comag. District of Southern California, Los Angeles, Cal.: COLONEL: The general commanding the department directs me to write you that he has read carefully and with deep interest the voluminous correspondence received by last mail regarding affairs in your district. The zeal and activity displayed by Colonel West and Major Rigg warrant the conviction that they are not to be overreached by any parties of rebels. All the supplies asked for have been ordered. Neither the quartermaster's nor the subsistence departments have yet received funds, but they are expected daily, and possibly may reach us in time to go on the next steamer.* I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. W. KIRKHAM, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. HEADQUARTERS HUMBOLDT MILITARY DISTRICT, Maj. R. C. DRUM, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department of the Pacific, U. S. Army : MAJOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from the general commanding the department, dated April 7. I feel much * Some unimportant matter here omitted. encouraged by the expression of confidence it contains, and shall do my best to merit a continuance of it to the last. Since my dispatch of April 9 no new outrages by Indians have been reported. Some three or four of them have been killed by the troops and about forty taken prisoners, the greater part of them women and children. I have detachments posted at the most exposed points, and have organized a regular system of escorts and daily expresses between the various posts and this point, by which the most infested routes through the hostile country are kept constantly scoured-a system which brings all of us in constant and rapid communication with each other and affords protection incidentally to the settlements and trains along the routes. But to do this I have had to use up nearly all of Captain Akey's mounted company (the only one left at this post), leaving him but a handful of men to guard the Indian prisoners and some twenty general prisoners and for all the usual garrison duties. I have just been informed, moreover, of the capture at Fort Gaston of two of the deserters of Company K, Second Infantry California Volunteers, and expected capture of the other seven. They will have to be brought here at once for safekeeping, increasing by so many the number of general prisoners. I therefore hope that my telegraphic request per Weaverville of the 13th instant for one company to be sent to garrison this post will be granted. The company sent should be full and well disciplined. As at present advised, I shall send Lieutenant-Colonel Olney and his command immediately to Fort Gaston, not only to keep the Hoopas and Klamaths in check, but to enforce such severe measures as I may have to adopt there at once. It seems certain that some, if not all, of the Hoopas are engaged covertly in the present hostilities. The Indian killed by Captain Douglas on the 6th instant has been recognized as one of their chiefs. 3 p. m.-An official report has just come in from Captain Johns of the capture of six of the deserters from Company K by Lieutenant Anderson, Company D, Third Infantry California Volunteers, and a detachment of the garrison at Fort Gaston, accompanied by Lieutenant Hubbard, Company K, Second Infantry California Volunteers. Captain Johns gives high praise to the whole party for their zealous exertions, "marching for thirty-six hours without sleep or rest in a severe storm over one of the worst trails in that country." One of the six escaped, but will probably be recaptured. April 17.-In regard to the amount of additional force required, I can now speak definitely. Besides the company needed to garrison this post, two other companies will be the minimum force required. These, together with the three now in the field, will suffice to keep the Indians in check, and at the same time to be making some progress in subduing and capturing them. The Indians have virtual possession of the whole country up to within a few miles of the bay. I mean by this that no man would now venture to travel any where beyond this limit without a strong escort, and that all the settlers, except the few to whom I have sent or am sending detachments, have been driven into the bay, as many of them killed as were not able to escape, and their property destroyed. How rapid will be our progress with the re-enforcement now requested it is impossible for me to say, but every addition of force beyond this will, of course, expedite matters proportionally. I wish to be understood as reporting an immediate re-enforcement of three companies (besides Colonel Olney's command)--one to garrison this post, the other two for the field-to be, in my opinion, indispensable. I have the honor to transmit herewith a description of the site of Fort Lyon, with a sketch of it by Private Skobel, of Company K, Second Infantry California Volunteers, as also post returns from Posts Baker, Lyon, and Anderson. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANCIS J. LIPPITT, Col. Second Infty. California Vols., Comdg. Humboldt Mil. Dist. First Lieut. JOHN HANNA, Jr., FORT BAKER, CAL., April 16, 1862. Second Infantry California Vols., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.: SIR: In compliance with paragraph 716, Revised Regulations, I have the honor to communicate the following in relation to the route to and site of this post: Fort Baker is about southeast of Fort Humboldt and bay; distant by the nearest available route, fifty-three miles; is reached by a wagon road from the latter point; twenty-three to Hydesville, the nearest village to the post. From that point the trail runs over a high ridge of mountains, through the Redwoods to what is called Reed's, twelve miles, and over a range of bald hills, six miles, descending southeasterly to the head of Yager Creek, a small settlement. Then easterly through a cañon from one and a half to two miles, and from thence on the summit and along the slope of a high range of mountains eight or nine miles, and striking Van Dusen's Creek. The camp or post is situated on a small flat from one and a half to two miles long, and about half a mile wide. The site of the camp is somewhat marshy, but well sheltered, being on the west bank of the Van Dusen between high ranges of mountains running nearly north and south. It exhibits signs of having at some period been overflowed, and indications of minerals. The country is also well adapted to the habits of the Indians peculiar to this country, affording excellent grass, plenty and good timber of several varieties, among which is the ash, not commonly found in the country. A small stream running directly through the camp affords plenty of good water, summer and winter. Van Dusen's Creek on the left affords fish of several varieties, and game of almost every kind is exceedingly abundant. The temperature is cool but even, the thermometer at this season averaging about 45° in the shade. I may add that the country is thinly settled, and exhibits but little, and that little old, Indian signs. Owing to a want of suitable material it is impossible at present to furnish a sketch of the route and post. I shall, however, endeavor to comply with the regulations in that respect as soon as the circumstances will admit. THOS. E. KETCHAM, Captain, Third Infty. California Vols., Comdg. Fort Baker District. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF Oregon, His Excellency JOHN WHITEAKER, Governor of the State of Oregon: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of Your Excellency's letter of the 29th ultimo, relative to the necessity of protection against Indian hostilities to the settlers in and near the eastern and northeastern frontier of Oregon, and inquiring as to the steps designed to be taken by the U. S. military authorities in reference thereto. Of the means now under my control, it will not probably be expedient to make any change in their present disposition, but I am happy to be able to inform Your Excellency that I am advised by the commanding general of the department, under date of 27th ultimo, that the cavalry force under Colonel Cornelius has been ordered by him to be collected "together in the Willamette Valley with a view of moving into the Walla Walla country, and thence to the mining districts, and, as the season advances, to throw forward troops to Fort Hall to meet the emigrants." I have recently apprised the commanding general of the proposed settlement by citizens of Oregon in the valley of Powder River, and I can have no doubt that the necessary steps will be taken by him for the protection of that and such other settlements as may be attempted within the frontier limits of Oregon. It is also within my power to inform Your Excellency that the military force in this district will, within a few weeks, be increased by the addition of from four to six companies of infantry under the command of Colonel Steinberger. In the hope that what I have above stated may tend to allay the anxiety expressed, I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's obedient servant, A. CADY, Lieutenant-Colonel Seventh Infantry, Commanding District. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Camp at Laguna Grande, April 17, 1862. Capt. R. W. KIRKHAM, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, San Francisco, Cal.: CAPTAIN: I beg you will learn by telegraph the result of Sibley's operations in New Mexico. From the report of the fight at Pigeon's, near Santa Fé, it would seem the Texans had already been masters of Santa Fé, the capital, and were on their way through Apache Cañon east of that city toward Fort Union. It is important that I be kept informed by express of all intelligence received by telegraph, or through the papers, of the operations of the enemy and his fortune, whether good or bad, in that country which you may receive. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel First California Volunteers, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Maj. E. A. RIGG, MAJOR: Apply to Major Drum to replace Assistant Surgeon Meacham, reported sick, as judge-advocate general court-martial, ordered to convene at your post. Your court, to get through in time, should by all means sit without reference to hours; see article 75 of the Rules and Articles of War. Get Major Drum to grant the authority, if possible; if not, sit from 8 till 3. As soon as Shirland's cavalry comes, have him cross the river and move on to report to West with the least practicable delay. Give him all the information about grass, &c., in your power, and caution him to be on the qui vive, or he will have his horses stampeded. Have his mules and horses shod, so as to have as little delay as possible. His horses and mules otherwise will consume 64 R R-VOL L, PT I |