Edwin A. Rowe to R. W. Kirkham, May 26, 1862

Capt. R. W. KIRKHAM, Assistant Quartermaster and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., CAPTAIN: As I deem it an imperative duty to address this communication to department headquarters, no further excuse for so doing l] presume will be necessary. Having left Fort Churchill on the 14th instant, per verbal orders from the major commanding, to join the expedition stationed at this place, I have the honor to report my arrival on the 17th instant. Finding this community still in a considerable state of excitement and anxiety in relation to Indian difficulties existing in this neighborhood and upon Owen’s River I have exerted myself to establish tranquillity. To this end 1 took thirteen men and made a scout into the Indian country of some ninety miles in circuit. I had secured the services of an Indian as interpreter, and first visited Mono Lake, some twenty-eight miles distant from this place. There I sueceeded in getting fourteen Indian warriors to visit my camp and have a “talk.” The head chief (Man-na-wa-he) was present, as well as some of the Indians lately engaged in the disturbances on Owen’s river. They pretended to have no connection with the Owen’s River Indians, but nevertheless were anxious to convey to me the idea that the Owen’s Rivers from this time forward desired peace. They said that since the Owen’s Rivers had killed some white men they were now satisfied. Of course this talk must be interpreted with judgment. But my object was not so much to have a talk at this time as to see if I could meet them, as no white man has been able to do so since the late difficulties. Having accomplished this object, I assured them they would not be molested during good behavior, and promised to meet them again at the same place in twelve days, which will be on the 5th of June, hoping in the meantime to be able to hear from the general commanding, or at least from Governor Nye, or Mr. Wassen, Indian agent of Nevada Territory. If I should fail to receive instructions or to hear from either source I propose to take to them such provisions as I may have to spare and distribute among them for the purpose of keeping open this the only’avenue to reach the Owen’s River Indians in case negotiations are contemplated. Although these Indians professed to be friendly yet they exhibited a sulkiness and war tone not to be mistaken. There were but thirteen men with me (fourteen in all), and there were fourteen of them all armed with bows and arrows, with the exception of three, who had splendid Kentucky rifles; notwithstanding all this they can be managed with prudence and judgment. I shall write to-day to Governor Nye and Indian Agent Wassen, stating the facts as I find them. Leaving Mono Lake I proceeded to visit Adobe Valley, which lies nearly due east from the lake about thirty-two miles. It contains some twelve or fifteen square miles of good agricultural land, with an abundant supply of water and timber. It is through this valley that the Owen’s River road passes to this place and vicinity. There are no Indians living in the valley, but in the hills adjacent there are afew. It is in this valley also through which the boundary line runs dividing the Pah-Utes from the Owen’s Rivers. Thisvalleyis about thirty miles from Aurora. If the general commanding will excuse my presumption I will suggest here that a small force stationed in Adobe Valley would be able to exert an influence over a greater extent of country than from any other point between Fort Churchill and Owen’s where in this vicinity. If troops have been sent to Owen’s River from small force could check them if disposed to violence. From Adobe Valley I returned to this camp, which is one mile from Aurora. With this 1 forward a rough sketeh* which may be of some service in forming an estimate of this country. I will say here that the character of the country is very rough—mountains and valleys, sand and sage brush, occasionally a patch of grass and stream of water. There is more timber, however, in this section than there is either north or south for 100 miles. In traveling from here in almost every direction we are obliged to pass through snow, which yet covers the mountain tops all around, This command of fifty men of Company A, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, has now been absent from Fort Churchill since the 28th of March. The expenses of the command have from necessity been heavy, principally for forage. The inclemency of the season has rendered grazing impossible. The parties from whom forage, &e., has been purchased are getting somewhat anxious for their pay, and I would most respectfully inquire whether a requisition for funds to meet these outstanding debts shall be made from here direct or from Fort Churchill? Some early action should be taken, and I hope the general commanding will not consider it out of place for me to speak of it here and at this time, although I suppose I should more properly address the chief of the quartermaster’s department in relation to the matter. I should have stated in the forepart of my letter that the number of Indians in the vicinity of Mono Lake at the present time is about eighty—men, women, and children. This being in California, it is very uncertain whether Governor Nye will take any further steps in relation to these Indians. I therefore hope that my acts will be approved by the general commanding, and that further orders or instructions may be received at an early day. If consistent with the views of the department it would be considered a great favor if in the future Company A could all be together.

EDWIN A. ROWE,