First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District to Justus Steinberger, May 12, 1862

ORDERS, ) HDQRS. ADVANCE GUARD, CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS,
May 12, 1862.
Novas 4 Pima Villages, May 12, 1862. I. Company B, First Cavalry California Volunteers, now in advance

of this post, and Companies ©, I, and K, of the First Infantry, and

B and G, of the Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, will march on Wednesday morning, the 14th instant. The rules for the march prescribed by Orders, No. 1, from these headquarters, will be observed without the slightest deviation.

Lieutenant-Colonel First Infantry California Volunteers, Comdy.

Fort Vancouver, Wash. Ter., May 12, 1862.

Headquarters Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, Cal. :

SIR: I have the honor to transmit inclosed copy of communication* to Colonel Cornelius, Oregon Cavalry. Seven companies of this regiment have been mustered into service with their officers. Three of them have reached the minimum standard, and have under the authority granted been mustered into service in accordance with general orders from the Adjutant-General’s Office, announcing the plan of organization for the volunteer corps. Of the remaining four companies there will be enough enlisted men from the returns exhibited at these headquarters by the colonel to complete the regimental organization for six companies, as directed by the commanding general of the department. General Orders, No. 1, Adjutant-General’s Office, dated January 6, 1862, prescribe the mode of mustering into service volunteers, and in my instructions to consolidate and merge into six companies, compliance is made therewith. Information is furnished me by Colonel Cornelius that four companies of his regiment are now marching from Southern Oregon north, in obedience with directions from headquarters Department of the Pacific, to concentrate in the Willamette Valley. Colonel Cornelius has met much embarrassment from the peculiar character of his instructions and the mode of organization adopted by him, and in the reduction of the number of companies will be compelled to drop some company officers improperly mustered into service. Of the twenty company officers mustered in and borne on his return, only eighteen can be legally received. I have had frequent interviews with the colonel on the subject of hisregimental organization, and while submitting the embarrassments incident thereto he recognizes the necessity of conforming to the laws governing the service. A plan has also been suggested to him for the early and correct formation of his command. He expresses himself impressed with its value, and will receive from me every assistance to make these troops fit for active service. Many of the men of this regiment have been enlisted five and six months without having received clothing from the Government. The colonel represents the difficulty he has had in providing for the positive necessities of his men in this respect, and since recent directions which he has received from department headquarters “not to make any more purchases,” of actual suifering. To diminish the expense of quartering and subsisting a fraction of one company (Captain Currey’s), now at Camp Barlow, near Oregon City, and to complete company organization by merging with a detachment now at this post, under Captain Kelly, I offered to receive Captain Currey’s men here temporarily. The colonel represents such actual destitution of the necessary articles of clothing as to prevent their

movement. As a matter of pressing importance for the prompt organization and movement of this regiment, I have respectfully to refer to the commanding general its urgent need of clothing and camp and garrison equipage. The commanding offcer of the district who preceded me has directed in some instances the issue of subsistence by the depot

commissary at this post to companies and detachments of companies of — this regiment on account of their pressing necessities. The same plan –

will be pursued when practicable and actually necessary upon requisition approved by the colonel commanding until the consolidation and organization of the regiment.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel First Washington Territory Infantry, Comdg. District.
San Francisco, Cal., May 12, 1862.

First Infantry Washington Territory Volunteers,

COLONEL: The general commanding has directed one company of –
Colonel Cornelius’ regiment of Oregon mounted volunteers left at –
Jacksonville, Oreg. Lieutenant-Colonel Maury has been telegraphed