George Wright to Ulysses S. Grant, May 30, 1862

Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: Since I received instructions from your office to prepare a command for the protection of the Overland Mail Route, I have received no instructions as to how far east it was intended that I should send my troops. Col. P. E. Connor, Third Infantry California X olunteers, whom I appointed to command all the troops on the mail route, has advanced with seven companies of his regiment and is now encamped near Stockton. Supplies are being collected and transportation preparing for crossing the Sierra Nevada, as soon as the roads are practicable for wagons, probably about the 20th of June. I have two companies of cavalry at Fort Churchill, and one company temporarily near Pyramid Lake, which, with the two companies of the same regiment, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, now near this city, will constitute the mounted force I designed for Colonel Connor’s command. Three companies of the Third Infantry California Volunteers are now serving in the District of Humboldt. I propose, as soon as their services can be spared, to order them to join Colonel Connor. At present there seems to be no danger apprehended on the mail route between here and Salt Lake. Unless otherwise instructed, L shall advance Colonel Connor to the neighborhood of Salt Lake, establishing one, possibly two, intermediate stations between Fort Churchill and Utah. Colonel Connor has with him two field pieces and three mountain howitzers, with equipments and ammunition.

With great respect, your most obedient servant,