Ben. Cutler to Epwin A. Rigg, March 12, 1862

Maj. Epwin A. RIGG, First Infantry California Vols., Comdg. at Fort Yuma, Cal.:

MAJOR: The colonel commanding has been informed that some sixty or seventy Indians are encamped at or near Indian Well; that they have some fifteen or twenty horses; that when trains are approaching the well they exhaust the water so that it is difficult to get enough. As there is no necessity for these Indians to be there, the colonel commanding directs that you send word for them to move away, and be sure they move. It is understood here that the horses of Company A, First Cavalry, are kept at Fort Yuma, where they are fed on the hay which has been procured for another purpose. It was a condition that Captain McCleave’s horses should not be sent to Yuma, unless grass could be found for them. Not only must those horses not be fed any more of the hay at Fort Yuma, but you must take measures immediately to replace all the hay which has been consumed by those horses, and an additional twenty tons, if it be possible for you to cut it by men on extra duty. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March 2, relating to the escape of Chum and Edwards, political prisoners. The colonel commanding also directs that you put ten tons of baled hay at the Alamo Station, and replace it at Fort Yuma from the hay camp. The colonel wishes twenty tons more (or even more, if possible) of hay procured at the place where the last was cut, and hauled out on the road and carefully stacked. In reply to your communication of March 2 I am directed to instruct you to use no more leather for the repair of pack-saddles. Your action in relation to the men who refused to carry knapsacks is highly approved by the district commander. The resignation of Capt. Hugh A. Gorley has been forwarded to department headquarters. He himself is here and wishes to recall it. The hay taken away from Pilot Knob by Mr. Veck must be replaced, and as much again more put there, if possible. If you can send baled hay from Fort Yuma for this purpose, the hay taken from Fort Yuma must be replaced by hay from the hay camp. The colonel commanding also directs that you have fifteen tons of hay hauled to Gila City. If you can have thirty tons of hay at Mission Camp and twenty tons at Antelope Peak, it would be well. It is important that Mr. Yager should have a large number of fat cattle on hand, as your garrison will be largely increased. This should be done without delay. Remember this: The brig W. D. Rice left San Francisco February 24, 1862, laden with Government stores for Fort Yuma. The colonel commanding directs that as soon as you hear of the arrival of that vessel at the mouth of the Colorado River, you will send an express to these headquarters, via Camp Wright, with the intelligence. Recapitulation of forage required: Twelve tons of hay at Pilot Knob; 12 tons of hay one day’s march west of Pilot Knob; 12 tons of hay two days’ march west of Pilot Knob; 12 tons of hay three days’ march west of Pilot Knob (15 tons at these points, if possible); 15 tons of hay in Arizona City; 15 tons of hay at Gila City; 15 tons of hay at Mission Creek;

Villages. You will send a party at once under an efficient officer to clean out the wells thoroughly on the desert to Carriso Creek. There must be no mistake about this, and it must be done without delay. If this express reaches Fort Yuma in time to stop the teams which took over McCleave’s company and the clothing, use those and every other team you can spare from your post, and haul at once 100,000 pounds of barley to Mr. Grinnel’s, where it will be covered with tarpaulins, or

Ns ds dea dl A otherwise protected from rains, and guarded by one cavalry officer and ten men, which ten men must cut or otherwise procure all the hay their horses may need, so as not to consume any hay placed at that point. The general has ordered an expedition against the Tontos, and the barley is to be used for that expedition when organized. McCleave’s company will form a portion of that expedition. If Colonel West commands the expedition against the Mojaves, you will command the one against the Tontos. What has become of Rhodes’ cattle; what is their condition at present; what can they be bought for; have you ever seen them yourself? If so, are they mostly calves or good-sized beeves? It is possible that you may not be able to procure hay at all the points named. Try and do the best you can, and let the colonel commanding know the result at the earliest practicable moment. In moving barley to Grinnel’s you will have to figure closely as to which will be the most efficient method, whether to have the teams go on to Gila City and unload and come back and reload and go on again, whether to go to some point still farther on and unload, or whether to go through at once to Grinnel’s. These matters are left for your consideration. The colonel commanding desires, however, that it should be done at once. I am, major,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,