Colonel Lippitt to Captain, March 8, 1862

CAPTAIN: You are charged by the colonel commanding the Military District of Humboldt with the establishment of a new post on the northerly side of Van Dusen’s Fork, at Neil’s ranch, about twenty-eight miles to the eastward of Hydesville, to be called, subject to the approval of the proper authority, Fort Baker. Your command is designed specially for the protection of the district of country lying between Van Dusen’s Fork and Eel River from the north of Van Dusen’s to the coast on the south and Mad River on the north, and your military operations will be confined to that district. This is not intended to prevent a temporary crossing of either of these rivers whenever you may have strong reason to believe that some important object may be subserved by so doing. * * * * * * *

By order of Colonel Lippitt: