George Wright to Julian McAllister, March 12, 1862

Capt. JULIAN MCALLISTER, Ordnance Corps, Chief of Ordnance, Department Pacific,

Commanding Benicia Arsenal, Benicia, Cal. : CAPTAIN: The chief engineer of the army on this coast has completed his reconnaissance and submitted to me a plan for defensive works to guard the approaches to this city either by land or water. Our great embarrassment is from the scarcity of heavy guns. I have just addressed a communication to Captain Gardner, commandant of the navy-yard at Mare Island, to ascertain if he could let us have some heavy guns, projectiles, &c., in case of emergency. I regret to hear of your indisposition. When you have quite recovered I shall be glad to see you here. From information I have received from Washington, I am satisfied that we can get no guns from the East, and that we must rely upon our own resources. We must establish a foundry, cast our

own guns, projectiles, &c., and be prepared to meet any emergency.

Very respectfully, your obedient. servant,