First California Volunteers, November 2, 1861
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF OREGON,
November 2, 1861.
No. 52. Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., November 2, 1861. I. Captain Crowninshield’s company (E, Fourth Infantry California Volunteers) will take post at Fort Steilacoom, Wash. Ter., to which place it will proceed by the steamer Pacific about the 11th instant, and relieve the present garrison. * * * * * * e III. On being relieved by the company of volunteers, Captain Woodruff, with Companies D and F, Ninth Infantry, will embark on the steamer, on which he will continue until its arrival at San Francisco.
IV. Captain Scott’s company (D, Fourth Infantry California Volunteers) will first take post at Fort Yamhill, to which place it will proceed with as little delay as practicable and relieveits present garrison, Coupany I, Ninth Infantry. On being relieved Company I will proceed to this post, whence it will go to San Francisco by the first steamer after its arrival. The quartermaster’s department will furnish the necessary transportation for the movements of these two companies.
By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Cady:
First Lieut., Third Artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
[NOVEMBER 2, 1861.—For Baylor to Hébert, relating to affairs in California and Arizona, see Vol. IV, p. 149.]
Los ANGELES, CAL., November 4, 1861. Col. JAMES H. CARLETON:
My DEAR SIR: I have been put in possession of some facts this morning which would appear to warrant the conclusion that men are concentrating, or will soon meet, on the Colorado River. I believe my information is reliable, and I also see in the Alta of the 26th ultimo a letter from San Diego, which, taken in connection with what I have learned here this morning, is quite significant. I believe there is a party of twenty-five men now at El Monte. They have been there some days, waiting the arrival of Showalter and others to proceed on to the Colorado. I am quite unwell to-day or I would go to your camp. If you should be in town to-morrow I will endeavor to see you.
FORT Yuma, November 4, 1861. Col. JAMES H. CARLETON, Los Angeles:
DEAR COLONEL: An official communication herewith will inform you of our march and arrival here. I scarcely as yet comprehend my position, but am exerting myself to that end. To-morrow I shall have most of the ferry-boats under my control; one thirty miles below I hope to secure by Wednesday, and another twenty miles above in a few days. The river is so low that it can be forded in many places. Indians swim the animals of travelers, and some may escape me. Accounts from Tucson and thereabouts are conflicting, and therefore unreliable. I hear that Baylor is at Tucson with 200 men, and Van Dorn at Mesilla with a larger command. Of course the outside talk is that they intend to come here. I place no reliance upon it, however. They may or may not. – Carrillo is becoming more useful. I send him to Tucson by way of Altar. He will be back in twenty days. My scouts now number four, and are not idle. I shall send you an account of stores in a few days. I have on hand 50,000 rounds of ammunition; provisions in abundance. A good deal of work is needed to strengthen this position. Were I commander of this district L would send here two 12-pounders and a small corps of artillerists. Excuse the suggestion. I have four 12-pounder howitzers and 150 rounds of shot and shell. My Greek makes an odd-looking letter of this, but it is very interesting to those that understand it. I shail begin drills of officers at the earliest possible moment. At present I am only devoting one hour daily to company drill, as the work on the defenses of the post mostly occupies the time. Will you be good enough to inform me whether you propose to keep up an express and how often? For instance, I may avoid sending off a special messenger if I know when to expect a regular one. I have many things to write to you about, but matters are so indefinite as yet that I cannot satisfactorily allude to them. Since writing the above Mr. Yager has acquainted me with the fact that he once carried the mail to San Diego weekly at $4,500 per annum, and is willing to renew the service on same terms, or to Los Angeles for $6,000. I merely mention the matter incidentally for your consideration. An allusion is made elsewhere (in communication to adjutant) of a scout that 1 made to Gonzales’ Ferry. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful, as the game had flown. While I was away from Dresher’s command he searched a messenger on the road and discovered the two letters which I in2lose herewith.* I sent an emissary to Gila City yesterday, but there was nobody there. They had all moved on. I shall keep on the alert for foes of all numbers and kinds. Greenwade, at Temecula, is a rank secessionist, giving aid and comfort to the enemy. The same may be said of Weld, the factotum of Yager, on the other side of the desert. I have omitted citizen employés from my post return. but will send them on the next. Itis bad policy to mention their names. Iam much in want of some envelopes. Company blanks are a scarcer article at this post. I keep my letters open, and write as one matter or the other suggests itself. Hence they are rather desultory. Truly, yours,
Los Angeles, Cal., November 4, 1861. Maj. EDWIN A. RIGG, Commanding at Camp Wright, Cal. :
MAJOR: I have received your note of the 28th ultimo. If any party of the size and character described attempt to pass you, stop it, search the persons and baggage if you suspect them of being enemies of our country, and cause them to take the oath of allegiance to our Government. If you find upon them evidence of their being disloyal, or of their giving aid and comfort to the enemy, hold them in confinement and report all the facts and all the evidence in each case tome. You will not buy one dollar’s worth of any kind of property of Mr. Carrillo, or the people he sold his barley and hay to. Nor will you pay over 23 cents for barley. If you cannot get hay for less than $40 I will send it from San Francisco. Buy your beef from him who will sell it cheapest. Make no bargains for beef for a longer time than a month, nor buy over a fortnight’s supply of barley or hay. Buy nothing from any person who wishes to raise on his prices, the ordinary rates, because of the presence of thetroops. We can get all we want cheap from above, and if worse comes to worst will move the troops before we will suffer imposition. Buy nothing of Ramon Carrillo, since he has acted the way he has. You must make no contracts without my approval first obtained, when I have seen the written contract, unless it be for daily use, * Not found.
until you can hear from me. I have sent 10,000 rounds of ammunition to you at San Diego by the Senator last night. Have it got at once. I have written to have stoves sent to you. 1 will soon send you some cavalry, say a lieutenant, a sergeant, a corporal, and twenty-five men, starting to-morrow or next day. Try and have shelter for the horses. The horses must be kept in fine condition if you have the hard service you anticipate for cavalry. Mr. Showalter and men of that stripe must be searched for expected evidences of treason, and at all events they must take the oath of allegiance besides. If they refuse, hold them securely and report all the facts in the case, as I have before written. We have had enough of the bullying and treason of such men. If Judge Terry tries to pass, he must go through the same ordeal. There must be no child’s play with him. Keep your own counsel; act with great circumspection, but with firmness. Put yourself in en rapport with the Indians. They will give you much valuable information of little parties attempting te dodge by you. I have sent you a forge, muleshoes, nails, tools, and some clothing. You can now put everything in service order and keep it so. Be ready at a moments notice to move on to the help of West. Your position is such at this critical juncture that you must keep up a sleepless vigilance. Have your command in fighting order all the time, night or day. Keep me advised of all you do. Much is expected of you and all your command, officers and men. Drill, drill, drill, until your men become perfect as soldiers, as skirmishers, as marksmen. Keep the command in good health. Look after the messing every day yourself, and be sure the police and cleanliness of camp is perfect. l am, major,
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Colonel First California Volunteers, Commanding.
Los ANGELES, CAL., November 4, 1861.
My DEAR EYRE: I received your kind note of the 30th of October this
morning. In case you find bya shrewd and careful set of traps, which
you have the address to set, that the person alluded to in the copy of a
letter sent by Lieutenant Cutler is playing false to the Government
(Doctor B——) —in case you obtain good evidence to this end (and if
it exist you will obtain it, I am sure), then seize him quietly, search him