with his company. I reported to you by way of San Bernardino, in charge of a sergeant of Captain McCleave's company, whom he desired to send back, return of ordnance and ordnance stores on hand on the 15th day of February. The sergeant and corporal left here at 4.30 p. m., 18th instant. The colonel's order, in letter dated February 8, and received on the 15th, will be carefully obeyed to the letter, as well as all others contained in the same. Mr. Jones arrived here to-day. He made the trip in six days from Los Angeles. If relays were placed on that route, say, an animal at Rancheria Dos Palmas (100 miles from the post), Rancheria Toro (150 miles from the post), Agua Caliente (28 miles farther on), Chapin Ranch (25 miles), an express could be sent into Los Angeles in three days. Such is the opinion of Captain McCleave, First Cavalry California Volunteers, also Lieutenant Nichols, First Cavalry California Volunteers. Mr. Jones reports four men between him and Captain McCleave's command. I will endeavor to find them. I sent Captain McCleave this morning to where hay was stacked for the Government above Gila City, near Mission Camp, with instructions to leave a guard of seven men at that point. Lieutenant Nichols by my order accompanied Mr. Yager to look for grass. He returned this last evening, and reports having found an abundance for several hundred animals. I think, however, that they found the same grass that Captain McCleave and myself discovered. I will see it myself in a few days, so that there will be no mistake about localities. Captain Smith, Company A, Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, has notified me that he will report fifty men of his company for duty at this post on the return of the steamer Cocopah, which will be about the 23d instant. The balance of his company will remain to protect Government stores at the Gridiron, and do escort duty on the boat passing up and down the river. Captain Wilcox assures me that he will have all of the stores at the post within ten days from this date, unless the balance of the Republic's cargo should arrive in the meantime. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDWIN A. RIGG, Major First Infantry California Volunteers, Commanding. HDQRS. FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY OREGON VOLS., ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY, Washington, D. C.: SIR: In reporting to you the progress of raising a regiment of volunteer cavalry in this State, it is due to myself to state the reason which has prevented my reporting sooner, and which also prevents at this time. the forwarding of the official returns of the regiment, and that is high water and the continued severity of the winter, which have prevented communication with the different parts of the State for the past two months. By the 1st of next month I hope to be able to forward all rolls, reports, &c., of companies organized. By arrangement of parties commissioned to raise the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Maury, in the southern portion of the State, has raised two full companies, which are now in camp near Jacksonville. He is confident of raising two more companies by the 1st of May. B. F. Harding, mustering officer in charge of the central part of the State, has raised one full company, which is now at Salem, Oreg. Mr. Harding, as elsewhere advised, has been obliged to resign his position in the regiment. In charge of the northern part of the State, I have organized three companies, one at The Dalles, of forty men, which, for the want of funds and the difficulty of procuring supplies for them as recruits, I ordered to be mustered in with a first lieutenant in command, and ordered him to report to the commanding officer at Fort Dalles, where his company is performing garrison duty and is supplied at the post. I pursued the same course with the company recruited at this place, who reported at Fort Vancouver. The other company is stationed at Camp Barlow, near Oregon City. These companies are recruiting steadily, and will doubtless be full by the 1st of May, by which time I think the regiment will consist of eight full companies. Major Drew is now at San Francisco with requisitions upon the commander of the Department of the Pacific for clothing, arms, and garrison equipage for the regiment, also for funds for the recruiting service, the want of which has retarded enlistments. In absence of further orders from the War Department, I shall, as soon as the weather will permit, establish a camp in the central portion of the State, where I shall assemble all companies, except those raised in Southern Oregon, which will remain under Lieutenant-Colonel Maury, at Camp Baker, near Jacksonville. The object will be for drill and instruction, and the difficulty of obtaining forage will render it necessary for the animals to be where they can graze. The quartermaster of the regiment has this day forwarded estimates for funds, which I trust will be forwarded immediately. The great losses which the citizens of this State have suffered from the floods and severe winter render those who are willing unable to furnish supplies without the certainty of prompt payment. The mines north and east of this place are bringing a large immigration from California, providing a ready market for more than the country now affords, which will render it extremely necessary that he should be provided with funds to contract for supplies at fair rates. I remain, yours, very respectfully, T. R. CORNELIUS, Colonel First Regiment Cavalry Oregon Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Lieut. Col. J. R. WEST, Los Angeles, Cal., February 21, 1862. First Infantry California Volunteers, Commanding at Camp Wright, San Diego County, Cal.: COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant in relation to the refusal of certain privates in Company A, First Infantry California Volunteers, to carry their knapsacks on drill. I have always regarded that company as one of the finest I have ever seen in service-one of the first I should have chosen to follow me into any battle where the integrity of the country or the glory of the flag was to be maintained; so you can judge how greatly I have been disappointed. It is hardly possible that it is a settled purpose on the part of that whole company to set military authority at defiance and constitute itself a judge of what shall be done and what not. The men are intelligent men, and can at once see to what all this would tend. Nor can it be possible the men refuse to obey orders for the purpose of remaining behind to gain by the delays incident to a trial before a general court-martial immunity from the fatigues of a hard march and from the danger of facing an enemy. The men are hardy and brave and patriotic; such a thought, therefore, would be unjust to them. Now, the infantry require the soldiers of that arm to drill with knapsacks on at quickstep, and even at the run. To accustom them to this weight, to carry out and perfect them in their instruction, was one purpose of General Orders, No. 3, requiring the First Infantry, my own regiment, to drill with knapsacks on. Another purpose was this, and I want the soldiers to know it: We are about to commence a movement with limited means of transportation over a desert country. Unless the soldiers carry their knapsacks at the commencement of the march, it will be impossible to transport a sufficiency of food, of ammunition, of clothing, or of hospital stores. So the purpose of the expedition will have to be abandoned, or the men, like good soldiers, must be willing to sacrifice personal convenience for a short time to attain an important object. Read all this to those men. Read the Articles of War to them. Remind them of their oaths. Give them one hour to reflect on the unhappy consequences of such conduct. Let them see how unworthy it is of them as soldiers, how degrading themselves as men, how much it reflects upon their company and regiment, how disgraceful it is to California, to the flag, to the country. If, then, any one man amongst them does not feel ashamed of such conduct, and feel willing to obey orders promptly and cheerfully, the only alternative left is to have that man at once mustered out of the service without pay. The country has a plenty of soldiers, and California has enough of them even here, who stand ready to take his place and obey orders. Depend on that. I have taken some pains to explain this matter, and have exercised a forbearance in the case unusual in our profession, because I feel an attachment to the men of my regiment, and I do not wish to see them dishonor the flag or disgrace themselves if I can help it. But I leave the issue to them, feeling confident that the determination to which they will come, after a sober second thought, will be such as to cause them no regrets hereafter. There is one thing they can count upon: The colors of the First Infantry of California will go forward, even though every man in the regiment but one refuses to go with them. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles, Cal., February 21, 1862. Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters, with the hope that the general will sustain my action in the premises, as we lack time now for the ordinary procedure by courts. JAMES H. CARLETON, Colonel First California Volunteers, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, First Lieut. JOHN B. SHINN, Los Angeles, Cal., February 2, 1862. Commanding Light Company A, Third Artillery, Camp Drum, New San Pedro, Cal.: LIEUTENANT: I am directed by the colonel commanding to say if you have not already done so, you will report for duty with your company to Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, commanding at Camp Drum. The colonel commanding the district has great confidence in the belief which he entertains that you will leave no effort untried to put your horses into the best possible condition, and your battery generally into the best fighting trim, at the earliest practicable moment. To do this much is left to your discretion, and a great deal expected from your perseverance, industry, and energy. I am, lieutenant, respectfully, &c., BEN. C. CUTLER, First Lieut., First Infantry California Vols., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC, Col. JAMES H. CARLETON, Comdg. Dist. of Southern California, Los Angeles, Cal.: SIR: In reply to your letter of the 18th instant, requesting to be furnished with money in coin for the expedition under your command, the general commanding the department directs me to say that your request will be complied with. The general directs that the headquarters of the District of Southern California will, when you leave, be established at Camp Latham. The distribution of the troops in the district suggested in your letter is approved, except that the garrison of Fort Yuma still consists of three companies of infantry. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, RICHD. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS CAMP WRIGHT, Oak Grove, San Diego County, Cal., February 24, 1862. Lieut. BEN. C. CUTLER, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Southern California, Los Angeles : I have received the letter of Colonel Carleton in reference to the men of Company A, First Infantry California Volunteers, who refused to carry their knapsacks on drill, and have followed the instructions therein contained. All have consented to obey the order with the exception of thirteen privates. How am I to construe the expression, "the only alternative left is to have that man (the disobedient) at once mustered out of the service without pay." Is that an opinion as to what ought to be done, or an order to do it? I have put those men in the guard-house, and shall keep them for definite orders. Company G are now all willing to obey the order. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. R. WEST, Lieutenant-Colonel First Infantry California Volunteers, Comdg. HEADQUARTERS CAMP WRIGHT, Oak Grove, San Diego County, Cal., February 24, 1862. Lieut. B. C. CUTLER, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Southern California, Los Angeles: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a communication from yourself dated 21st instant, and of one from the colonel commanding the district of same date marked semi-official, relating to measures which he wishes adopted to bring the infantry now here and the cavalry company at Temecula together into one camp. An objection presents itself to removing the infantry from here, viz, the interest of the sick, who the surgeon considers would be much better off in the present adobe hospital than in a tent. Hence I shall wait until to-morrow to ascertain what success the acting assistant quartermaster has met in efforts to procure forage at San Luis Rey for the cavalry. If he has been successful I shall move the cavalry up here; otherwise the infantry will be removed to a spot that affords good grazing. I cannot yet say whether I can supply Captains Roberts' and Ffrench's companies, nor can I yet determine how many companies of infantry and cavalry I can supply with my teams. I shall give these matters earnest attention at once and reply as soon as possible. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. R. WEST, Lieutenant-Colonel First Infantry California Volunteers, Comdg. HEADQUARTERS HUMBOLDT MILITARY DISTRICT, Maj. R. C. DRUM, U. S. Army, Fort Humboldt, February 24, 1862. Assistant Adjutant General, Department of the Pacific: MAJOR: By a ten days' tour of reconnaissance I have become convinced, first, that the statements made to me in respect to the Indians in Hoopa Valley were erroneous, and that it would be very unwise to attempt to remove them from their present settlements, where they are living in peace and amity with the whites; second, that to carry out the plan of operations suggested in my last letter to you it would require a force vastly larger than is now available on the Pacific Coast; third, that there is urgent need of the immediate establishment of posts in at least three different sections of this county for the protection of settlers. I have carefully selected the sites for these posts, and shall send out to occupy them three of the companies now here the moment I can obtain the necessary transportation, which will be about a week at furthest. These companies will be directed to keep continually in the field one-half of their effective strength, for the purpose of capturing the Indians, who will all be sent to this post, from which they will be taken to such point as the department commander may direct. Being pressed for time, I will write more fully by next steamer. It is proper I should state, in justice to Captain Johns, commanding at Fort Gaston, that I inspected his post very thoroughly, and found his command in a state of admirable discipline. There is no man in either Company For Company K, Second Infantry California Volunteers, it for the duty of hospital steward. As each of these companies is to garrison a new post, I hope it will be possible to send me up two hos pital stewards by next steamer. I am obliged to inclose more charges for a general court, several against men of my own regiment and one against Lieutenant Daley, Second Cavalry California Volunteers. If these charges are to be tried by the court already ordered, an addition of several members would be expedient, as after a few days but three out of the five members now at the post will be here. The judgeadvocate also (Lieutenant Hubbard) will have left with his company. When the witnesses in the mutiny cases in Captain Akey's company |