Ben. C. Cutler to E. A. Rigg, March 17, 1862

Maj. E. A. RIGG, First Infantry California Vols., Commanding at Fort Yuma, Cal.:

MAJOR: This letter will be handed to you by Mr. J. W. Jones, who will make known to you the views of the colonel commanding in relation to the disposition of McUleave’s and Pishon’s companies of cavalry, and Calloway’s company of infantry, increased to 100 strong. This movement has for its object the capture of the secession forces in and about Tucson, Ariz. Ter., and the colonel directs me to remind you that time is now everything; that a bold and rapid movement is the only thing which will accomplish the object had in view, and that whatever is done, must be done without delay. The colonel commanding is informed that Mr. J. W. Jones, of Fort Yuma, has about 5,000 pounds of good corn which he will sell at 5 cents per pound. You are at liberty to buy it, and 20,000 pounds more of corn or barley, if you can get it. You are also at liberty to buy Mr. Jones’ mules, say not to exceed twenty, at a fair price. He says that some six of them are worth $200 apiece; the remainder $125 apiece. You may need these mules for McOleave’s expedition against Tucson. Work quick, night and day, and you are bound, all of you, to get immense credit. If you can, destroy or capture Hunter and his men and send me their flag. The colonel commanding desires that you have as little barley consumed at your post as possible. If Hunter is taken, his horses should be brought down as far as Grinnel’s on that good grass. McCleave’s and Pishon’s horses, in this event, will be kept at the Pima Villages, the troops having intrenched themselves, and the prisoners marched down to Fort Yuma by a guard of infantry and but few mounted men. This will get the horses fat and in good condition for any work which you may hereafter turn up east of the Pima Villages, and prevent your barley from being eaten up. The colonel commanding directs that Assistant Surgeon McKee accompany the command on the trail. Since writing to you about the pemmican, it is decided by the colonel commanding that you cannot wait for it. Mr. Jones will tell you about taking rations, and about getting supplies at Tucson, if the party is successful; if not successful, and they cannot purchase beef, they will not starve as long as they have horses and mules. But above all things, do not break everything down by carrying unnecessary baggage and prisoners. On all of these points consult with Mr. Jones, who has been over the country; figure closely, but figure quick. Be sure that every mounted man has an empty sack for barley, and that the infantry company take intrenching tools.

In conclusion, the colonel commanding directs me to say to you that if the infantry pass up the road by where the copper-mine road turns off, a day in advance of the time when the cavalry turns off to go toward the copper mine, the enemy’s spies will report on the advance of the infantry and not wait to report on the advance of the cavalry.

In order to trap these spies, a small party should be in ambush ahead of the infantry to stop every soul going that way. The cavalry should then march half a day apart until they get near Tucson, so that if they have spies on the trail they will run and tell half the strength of the command, not waiting to see the other half. If our force is shrewd, and knows the strength of the enemy in advance of them, which they ought, and doubtless will know from the Indians themselves, it would seem that it would be impossible for them to fail in taking Tucson. In case of success, every secession man in that town must be brought to Fort Yuma. The party, besides, must endeavor to catch Colonel Reily, if possible. He has gone down toward Hermosilla with twenty men. The instructions in relation to Brevoort are still in force. There must be no surrender. If the party is obliged to retreat, from falling in with an overwhelming force, they must fall back, fighting inch by inch until they get back. I am, major,

very respectfully, &c.,