Edwin A. Rigg to First Infantry, December 4, 1861

December 4, 1861.

Camp Wright, Oak Grove Station, San Diego County, — Southern California, December 4, 1861. COLONEL: Ihave the honor to report to you that on the morning of the 27th of November, 4 a. m., Mr. Cable handed me a note which he had

received from E. M. Morgan, at Temecula, requesting him to hand an inclosed letter to E. B. Sumner, who had arrived at this place with Mr. J. J. Warner, a copy of which I inclose. Sumner had not arrived with Mr. Warner here. He and his companion had stopped at the Dutchman’s. I sent out early to look after Sumner and companion, and they were reported coming in at10 a.m. As soon as they arrived here I had them arrested. The letter to E. B. Sumner gave me good reason to suppose that he and the man traveling with him were the advance of a party that I have been looking for. After the arrest of Sumner and the man with him, I ordered Lieutenant Wellman, with his detachment of cavalry, to proceed to Temecula and arrest and examine the party of eighteen alluded to in the letter to Sumner. On his arrival there, as per instructions from me, the party had moved on, taking a trail from Temecula to avoid our camp. Lieutenant Wellman, however, discovered the trail they had taken and followed it up, sending an express tome. I ordered Capt. H. A. Greene, of Company G, to proceed with his company to the Valley of San José and there detach twenty men, under command of Lieutenant Smith, of Company G, to look after the valley—several trails come down into this valley—and to take the balance of his command and go on to Santa Isabel (O’Campo’s). At the same time I sent a note to Mr. O’Campo to send an express through on the trail to Temecula. At 12 midnight he sent me an express that they were at Mr. Winter’s, on the trail, and as soon as they moved in the morning I would be informed of the direction they took. At daylight on the morning of the 29th the Indians reported them on the move to San José Valley. I immediately sent off Lieutenant Vestal, with twenty men from Company D, to close another trail that came out in the valley, but at about 11 a. m. Lieutenant Wellman reported to me the capture of the whole party at daylight in the morning. His report I inclose to you, and would beg leave to say that to the industry of Lieutenant Wellman and men are we indebted for onr prisoners. There are nineteen in all. I have examined them all, and send copies of their statements to you; also the oath of allegiance 1 administered to them, I have had no particular form of oath, and drew one to suit myself. I could find nothing about them that would go to show what they really are. Their ostensible destination is Sonora. I had concluded to discharge them, and informed them that 1 would, but Lieutenant Wellman has just returned from another scout. His report you will please find inclosed, as well as a diagram* of the trails branching off from the main trail. You will perceive that there are many of them. He intercepted many letters, copies of which, or rather the originals, I send you, which, in my opinion clearly proves that a regular organization exists, and that this party, with a few exceptions, is in it. I think there are a few of them who are honest in going to Sonora for mining purposes, but that they have been drawn into this organization. From the fact that the men who are all bound for Sonora are Southern men is suspicious, for where good mines are good miners will go without respect to section. Under the circumstances I have concluded to hold them prisoners until directed to release them by my superior officer. You will see that Showalter only desired to get over the line, and then if interrupted or interfered with to make the best fight they could. You will also find our late comptroller of State, or rather Mr. Brooks, who will vacate the office, is as deep in the mire as they are in the mud. Colonel West sent on two men with Lieutenant

Hunter to take the ambulance back which he sent through with Mrs. Dryer, and directed me to send it back on the 3d; that he had written to you to have an express meet it here. I will leave this morning at 7 o’clock on my way to Yuma, and, as directed, leave the command to next in rank. I wish Major Fergusson were here. I have stirred up a hornet’s nest, and hear of releasing the prisoners by force if not otherwise released. This is of little consequence. They cannot release them, and if I could be here would hope they would attempt it. I had Morgan arrested. He gave the cavalry also a long chase. I would respectfully suggest to the colonel that at least one full company of cavalry should be here. Itis twenty miles or more to Temecula from here, and to take the trail from there to either outlet it counts up fifty miles around, and no barley or hay on the route. Grass is good and plenty, but the cavalry have no time to turn out their horses. I cannot close this without testifying to Lieutenant Wellman’s merits as an officer, and to the good behavior of his men. He is fast earning the name of the fox hound. He has had two long scouts, and in both instances fulfilled his errand. I will leave here at 7 a. m., leaving Camp Wright commanded by Captain Gorley, Company D, First Regiment California Volunteers. The prisoners I have instructed him to hold until he receives orders from yourself or Colonel West. I will endeavor to replace Colonel West with credit, and unless odds are much against us I think we will give a good account of our stewardship.

Trusting that my acts will meet with your approbation, I am,

very

respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major First Infantry.
Col. JAMES H. CARLETON,
Commanding First California Volunteers, Los Angeles, Cal.
[Inclosure No. 1.]
TEMECULA, CAL., November 27, 1861.
(Received 4 a. m.)