E.D. Townsend to E. V. Sumner, U.s. Army, August 16, 1861

Brig. Gen. E. V. SUMNER, U.S. Army, Commanding, &e., San Francisco, Cal. :

SIR: A telegram was sent you this day in relation to an expedition to Texas, and the General-in-Chief directs me to write you more fully in regard to it, as follows: You are to fit out an expedition in San Francisco, preparing for embarkation thence the necessary supplies and land transportation, to land at Mazatlan and march thence to Western Texas to regain the public property in that State and draw off insurgent troops from Arkansas, Missouri, &c. J. W. Denver, esq., of California, has been appointed brigadier- general, U. S. volunteer service, and will be under yourcommand. Capt. R. L. Ogden, appointed assistant quartermaster, and now in San Francisco, will also be subject to your orders. A requisition has been made on the Governor of California for one regiment volunteer cavalry and four regiments volunteer infantry; and he has been requested to report them to you when ready. You will please confer with him in relation to them. You will add to this force two batteries regular artillery and ten companies regular foot, to be collected from such points as may be most advisable. Orders will no doubt go to you from the War Department concerning the contract to be made with the steamship company. The general will only say on this subject that it will be advisable to make provision as early as possible for having coal for the transports placed in depot at Mazatlan. On leaving the Department of the Pavific, turn over the command to Colonel Wright, Ninth Infantry.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,