few days, but the troops have marched admirably notwithstanding. Colonel West with five companies of infantry, and one of cavalry and two howitzers, you may remember, was ordered to occupy Tucson. He doubtless arrived there last Tuesday, the 20th instant. I am in hourly expectation of hearing from him. The rebels, from the best informa tion I can get, have retired from Arizona toward the Rio Grande. The Apaches attacked Captain Hunter's company of Confederate troops near Dragoon Spring and killed 4 men and ran off 30 mules and 25 horses. The Pima and Maricopa Indians have already sold to us for manta and on credit 143,000 pounds of wheat. Of the new crop, it is estimated that they will have for sale, say, 200 tons of wheat. I held a council with them to-day and promised to have sent down from San Francisco the additional supply of manta and the Indian goods asked for in my letter of the 10th instant. I have directed a train of fifteen wagons to proceed to San Pedro, Cal., for these goods and for clothing for the troops. The depot quartermaster at that point should be instructed to forward these articles, and particularly the clothing, the moment it comes down from above. The troops must have the clothing at once. Once their feet come to the hot ground and their clothing comes to be greatly worn, they will suffer immeasurably. The Pima and Maricopas are the finest Indians I have ever seen, and will be of great service to us and to the Overland Mail Company, which eventually is certain to run over this route. The Apaches are their hereditary enemies. The Apaches have murdered people on the route and possessed themselves of arms, with which they now, for the first time, successfully assail the Pimas. The latter pray to be furnished with arms, not only to defend themselves, but to punish the Apaches. I beg respectfully to request that the general will cause to be sent to my address, at Fort Barrett, 100 stand of the old muskets (percussion), with 10,000 rounds of buck and ball cartridges, and with a supply of bullet molds for the muskets. These can be issued direct to the chiefs, who will be responsible for them, or, which would not be as well, to the commanding officer at Fort Barrett, for the use of the Indians when necessary. The general may rely upon it, this would be a great favor to this worthy people, who have always been our fast friends. I shall proceed to Tucson in four or five days. I am now having all the wells repaired and made deeper which lie between the Gila ai.. that place on the old stage road. As soon as the rebels are brushed away from Mesilla, the overland stage from Independence, Mo., via Santa Fé, Fort Thorn, Tucson, Los Angeles, to San Francisco, can commence its trips before the snows of winter again set in. I suggest that attention be drawn to this subject even now. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel First California Volunteers, Commanding. GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. COLUMN FROM CALIFORNIA, No. 2. Fort Barrett, Pima Villages, Ariz. Ter., 1. The post on the San Pedro River in this Territory hitherto known as Fort Breckinridge will hereafter be known as Fort Stanford, in honor of the Governor of the State of California. 2. Lieut. Col. Edward E. Eyre, First Cavalry California Volunteers, with all the troops of his regiment now at Fort Barrett, will proceed without delay to Fort Stanford and reoccupy it. Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre will take 100 rounds of ammunition per man, and subsistence for his command to include the 30th proximo. 3. Lieut. Col. Joseph R. West, First Infantry California Volunteers, in command of the advance guard of this column, having taken possession of Tucson in this Territory, will leave that town under the command of Capt. William McMullen, First Infantry California Volunteers, and proceed with Fritz's company of cavalry, and such other troops from the advance guard as he may deem necessary, and reoccupy Fort Buchanan. 4. The post returns of Fort Buchanan, Tucson, and Fort Stanford, Ariz. Ter., for the month of May, 1862, will be forwarded through these headquarters to their proper destination. 5. The chief quartermaster, the medical director, and chief commissary will give such orders as may be necessary to aid in carrying the foregoing paragraphs into due effect. By order of Colonel Carleton: BEN. C. CUTLER, First Lieut., First Infty. California Vols., Actg. Asst. Adit. Gen. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, GEORGE M. HANSON, Esq., Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Northern District of California, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have received your letter of the 23d instant with inclosures. I will send up orders by Col. F. J. Lippitt, who is temporarily in this city, for posting a company of troops between Crescent City and the reservation. I have had several applications made to me for troops at various points, and the reasons advanced are that the men have gone to the mines and left the women and children to the mercy of the Indians. A very poor argument. There is either no danger from Indians or the men who will thus abandon their wives and little ones for the gold fields deserve death. With great respect, your obedient servant, G. WRIGHT, Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding. HDQRS. FOURTH INFANTRY CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, Los Angeles District, Camp Latham, May 25, 1862. [Brig. Gen. GEORGE WRIGHT: GENERAL: In your letter of instructions of the 28th April I am directed to proceed to the Southern District of California with three companies of my regiment and staff, and take command of the mixed corps located in the Los Angeles District. Believing that your letter of instructions contemplated that the command of the southern district was intrusted to my charge, I yet hesitated to assume command until after consultation with Major Drum, who confirmed me in my original impressions, and acted thereon until Orders, Nos. 9 and 1, the one signed by Colonel Carleton and the other by Colonel Bowie (copies of which are herewith inclosed),* reached me two or * See May 15, ante. three days since. If Colonel Carleton can assign an officer to the command of this district, then of course my command is coextensive with Camp Latham, but this latter view will not be acted upon by me except by further instructions from headquarters Pacific Department. It is probable that the action of Colonel Carleton was based upon published register of May 1, 1862, by which it appears that Colonel Bowie ranks me by one day, he taking rank from the 8th November, 1861, and Colonel Forman November 9. This was doubtless copied from Adju tant-General Kibbe's annual report, which is full of mistakes. As an evidence of the error in my case it is only necessary to refer to Special Orders, No. 209, headquarters Department of the Pacific, dated at San Francisco, November 8, 1861. This order recognizes me as a colonel at that date, but also orders me to my regiment at Camp Sigel. In connection with this subject, permit me to inclose a copy of a letter* addressed by me to General Kibbe. To the reasons contained in that letter I would add another-the number of Bowie's regiment and my own and the rank of the commanders thereof, our predecessors. Captain Judah commanded the Fourth, my regiment, Lieutenant Kellogg the Fifth, Bowie's. I hope not to be deemed a stickler for rank, but the same points would be insisted upon by me under similar circumstances did I hold but the position of a non-commissioned officer. With the hope that I may be pardoned for thus obtruding my views, partaking perhaps more of a private than public character, I subscribe myself, very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. FORMAN, Colonel Fourth Infantry California Volunteers. HDQRS. FOURTH INFANTRY CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS, [Brig. Gen. G. WRIGHT:] Camp Latham, May 25, 1862. GENERAL: I have nothing to modify in regard to my views of the loyalty of the people here and of their utter harmlessness. Since my letter of May 8 most of the supplies therein applied for have reached here. The expedition I had intended should move from this place on Monday or Tuesday week, but from a communication † addressed to me through the adjutant of my regiment from Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, and which I inclose to the acting assistant adjutant-general, with an indorsement favorable, the expedition may be delayed three or four days to hear from headquarters Department of the Pacific. Should it be determined to establish a post on Owen's River for winter quarters, tools and materials for erecting tents or temporary buildings for the command should accompany the expedition, and would require a slight modification of my plans. I had already intended to send out rakes, scythes, and mechanical tools in anticipation of a necessity for a winter campaign. The views of Colonel Evans, if concurred [in], show the necessity of a considerable expenditure of money in erecting buildings to shelter the men and public property. Of the amount requisite I can form but an inadequate idea, though from the distance timber must be hauled, the expense must be large, as the Government must depend upon hiring teams. In connection herewith I would state that I have caused the regimental quartermaster to enter into a contract with a responsible individual who has agreed to haul 50,000 pounds for 74 * Omitted as unimportant. t Not found. cents per pound with ox teams. This man lives on Owen's River, or did, and has also agreed to do what hauling may be required in the valley. From the contract already made with him, I judge favorable contracts may be made with him for subsequent labor to be performed by him. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, F. FORMAN, Colonel Fourth Infantry California Volunteers. P. S.-I am just advised by the surgeon of the regiment that he has no supply of medicines on hand to supply the expedition, or surgical instruments. These, together with an assistant surgeon, should be supplied. The latter can be obtained here. HEADQUARTERS COLUMN FROM CALIFORNIA, Fort Barrett, Pima Villages, Ariz. Ter., May 25, 1862. Col. GEORGE W. BOWIE, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, Comdg. District of Southern California, Fort Yuma, Cal.: COLONEL: Please order Major Rigg, First Infantry California Volunteers, and Captain Greene's company, First Infantry California Volunteers, and Captain Thayer's company, of the Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, to march to this post at the time when Francis' train, now en route to Fort Yuma, returns to this post. Our people took possession of Tucson without a fight on the 20th instant. The secession troops have all left the Territory, and a rumor is afloat that Sibley has been badly whipped. I inclose for your information General Orders, No. 2, from these headquarters; also a letter for Major Rigg, and an open letter to Lieutenant Barrett, depot quartermaster and commissary at Fort Yuma. I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES H. CARLETON, Colonel First Infantry California Volunteers, Commanding. [MAY 25, 1862.-For Carleton to Wright, relating to occupation by the Union forces of Tucson, Ariz. Ter., see p. 88.] HEADQUARTERS COLUMN FROM CALIFORNIA, Lieut. Col. E. E. EYRE, First Cavalry California Volunteers, Fort Barrett, Pima Villages, Ariz. Ter.: COLONEL: I am directed by the colonel commanding the column to say to you that from some information which he has this day received it is possible that on your arrival at Fort Stanford you may find the grazing facilities in that neighborhood not good enough to warrant the keeping of cavalry horses and quartermaster's mules in large numbers at that point, with a hope of having them recruit their flesh and strength. Should this prove to be the case, after a careful and extended examination of the country in that vicinity, you will move by easy marches up the valley of the San Pedro to the point where the road from Mesilla to Tucson crosses that valley, and there encamp and await further orders. You will retain with your command the quartermaster's train and the herd of beef-cattle which starts from this point with you until further orders. Should you come across any fields of wheat on your route be careful that these fields are not molested. The Apache Indians must not be attacked by the troops under your command unless they manifest hostility by some overt act, such as firing upon your command or running off your stock. As soon as you have taken possession of Fort Stanford the colonel commanding directs that you will make a detailed report on the present condition of Fort Stanford and the resources of the country between this point, and (in case you go that far) the point on the San Pedro where you are to encamp and await further orders. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel First California Volunteers, Commanding. Brig. Gen. GEORGE WRIGHT, Commanding Department of the Pacific: GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from you, dated 14th instant, authorizing Victor Smith, collector of customs, now absent, to take charge of the post and pub lie buildings at Fort Townsend to be used as a marine hospital. Being satisfied that you granted this authority under the impression that some benefit would accrue to the Government, I deem it my duty to inform you how far the interests of the United States are subserved by the occupation of said buildings for the purpose designated in your letter. There are three classes of marine hospitals, viz: First, where a building is erected for the purpose and the officers and servants appointed, and the whole expenses defrayed by the Government, through its agent, the collector of customs. Second, when the United States erect a building and place the same in charge of the city authorities under a contract for the accommodation of sick and disabled seamen at a certain rate per week, per capita. The only hospital of this class was at Charleston, S. C. Third, when contracts are made with medical or other incorporated bodies or individuals for the relief of the sick and disabled seamen in hospitals under their charge at certain rates per day or per week. The marine hospital here is of the third class, and Dr. John Allyn has contracted with the United States in the manner and form prescribed by law, "to provide said seamen with good and suitable lodging, medicine, and medical attendance, at the rate of $1.50 per diem for each and every patient." The military barracks at Fort Townsend have thus been occupied by Allyn since last September, and he has paid Victor Smith $218 for the rent thereof, to April 1, which sum Smith has appropriated to his own use. I have reported Victor Smith to the Secretary of the Treasury for embezzlement of the sum of $4,354.98, and for official misconduct of the most disgraceful character. Much of it in connection with the marine hospital. With great respect, your obedient servant, First Lieutenant, U. S. Revenue Service, and Acting Collector. |