Adjutant- General to Thomas R. Cornelius, September 24, 1861
Col. THOMAS R. CORNELIUS, ; Hon. B. F. HARDING, and R. F. MAURY, Esq., Of Oregon:
GENTLEMEN: The War Department being convinced of the necessity of raising a body of troops in Oregon to meet all exigencies which may exist there, and with a particular view to the defense of the frontier, I am directed to authorize you to raise for the service of the United States one regiment of mounted troops, to consist of ten vompanies, with Thomas R. Cornelius as colonel and R. F. Maury as lieutenant-colonel thereof. The two majors will be selected hereafter. B. F. Harding is appointed quartermaster of the regiment, and will be mustered into the Service immediately upon the receipt of this letter by any Army officer in his vicinity. If no Army officer be near him, Mr. Harding will muster himself into service, taking the oath of allegiance before a civil magistrate. As soon as mustered into service Quartermaster Harding will act as mustering officer for the remainder of the regiment. The organization of the regiment will be in strict accordance with that prescribed for ten companies of cavalry in General Orders, No. 16, of 1861, from this office, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.* The medical officers of the regiment will be one surgeon and one assistant surgeon, to be competent men, appointed by the colonel. The company officers of the regiment will be appointed by you from men deemed competent for the positions. Every man will be required to furnish his own horse and
*See Series IV, Vol. I.
Omar. LXIL) CORRESPONDENCEâUNION AND CONFEDERATE. 633
horse equipments, as prescribed in General Orders, No. 15, of 1861, from this office, a copy of which is also herewith inclosed.* The colonel will be mustered in upon the receipt of this order, and is authorized to make all necessary requisitions upon any U. S. quartermaster or commissary for the supply and support of hiscommand. The quartermaster and mustering ofticer hereby appointed is also authorized to contract for supphes for the regiment at the lowest market price, and to furnish them upon the requisition of the colonel as fast as the companies are mustered into service, provided the supplies cannot be obtained by requisitions upon the U. S. officers, as hereinbefore specified. In all accounts for such expenditures or contracts, the fact must be stated that the supplies could not otherwise be procured, and that the price paid was the lowest market price. The clothing, arms, and equipments, other than horse equipments, for the regiment will be procured by requisition upon the commanding officer of the District of Oregon or the Department of the Pacific. Owing to the great distance between Washington and Oregon these instructions must necessarily be general, but the Department, acting upon the strong recommendation of the Hon. E. D. Baker, Senator from Oregon, relies confidently upon the prudence, patriotism, and economy with which you will execute this trust. Unless otherwise ordered you will be governed by any directions sent to you by Col. E. D. Baker, and will under all circumstances report your conduct in the premises to the War Department through the Adjutant-General of the Army. I am, gentlemen,
very respectfully, your obedient servant,