Edwin V. Sumner to Lorenzo Thomas, August 22, 1861
Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: In raising the volunteers from this State I found it indispensably necessary, for economy as well as efficiency, to have a cavalry officer of experience and ability to command the five companies of cavalry. There was no suitable man to be found out of the Army, and at my request the Governor has given the commission of lieutenantcolonel of cavalry to Lieut. B. F. Davis, of the First Dragoons. I have known this young officer since he entered the Army, and I know: him to be one of the best officers in it. He is from the South, but a firm loyalist to the Government. I would respectfully ask the sanction of the War Department to this appointment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
SPECIAL te an HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
No. 152. San Francisco, August 22, 1861.
into service will on Saturday, the 24th instant, be moved into camp at
such point near San Antonio Landing, Contra Costa, as may be selected
by Captain Kirkham, assistant quartermaster. The other companies