Douglas, April 27, 1862

No. 51. } Indian Well, Cal., April 27, 1862. After this date companies of troops and Government trains will pass the Yuma Desert in the night, starting from Carriso Creek at 4 p. m., going eastward. Cavalry and quartermaster’s trains must be so divided as to not have over eighty animals leave Carriso Creek twenty-four hours in advance of the next eighty. Thus the supply of water at Indian Well, the Alamo, and Cooke’s Wells will each afford a supply for eighty animals. By order of Colonel Carleton:

First Lieut., First Infty. California Vols., Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen,

NotE.—The above order does not apply to Shinn’s battery, which leaves Carriso Creek April 30 at 4 p. m.

Indian Well, Yuma Desert, Cal., April 27, 1862. First Lieut. W. G. MORRIS, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, Indian Well:

SIR: The colonel commanding directs that you remain at Indian Well in person with the party you have detailed, to be stationed permanently at that point until after Shinn’s battery has passed there. You will see yourself that the barrels which Judge Winston brings from Sackett’s Wells are properly placed in the earth, and that all the barrels here are filled with water for the battery which leaves Carriso Creek April 30 at 4 p.m. The party detailed by you to remain permanently at Indian Well will relieve the party from Fort Yuma now here. The remainder of your party will proceed to Yuma with Judge Winston’s train. After seeing that every facility 1s afforded Lieutenant Shinn in getting a good supply of water at this point, you can come on to Fort Yuma with the light battery. The party from Fort Yuma now on duty here will remain here until after the battery has left, and then go on to Fort Yuma by the first train which passes for that point. You are to instruct the party of vedettes stationed here that in addition to their other duties they will be expected to keep the barrels at these wells filled up with water at all times. Captain Moore has contracted with Mr. Williams, of Carriso Creek, to deliver some seven or eight tons of hay at this point, the first load to be placed here in about one week from this date.

Very respectfully, &e.,