Edward Dillon to William W. Mackall, April 15, 1861

Maj. W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, San Francisco, Cal.: SIR: I have the honor to report that, in consequence of complaints made by the citizens of Long Valley against Indians in that neighborhood, I have ordered the detachment now in Round Valley to take a position on Eel River and equidistant from Round, Long, and Eden Valleys. The sergeant in command has been directed to dislodge the Indians in that vicinity, giving protection generally to the citizens and their property. This arrangement enables me to supply the detachment more readily, as it brings it nearer to this post and on the left bank of Kel River, thus avoiding the almost insuperable difficulty of

crossing that river (which will be high till the middle of May) with pack animals. This detachment being rationed only to the 1st of May, I have sent provisions to the camp above indicated, and upon the return of my pack train I shall proceed to execute the order contained in your letter of March 12. All the streams throughout the country in which I am directed to operate are still high, owing to the unusual quantity of snow now covering the mountains, and it will be impracticable to operate to advantage before the 1st of May.

Very respectfully, your most obedient,