George W. Bowie to Richard C. Drum, April 5, 1862

No. 54. f San Francisco, Cal., April 5, 1862.

Maj. Richard C. Drum, assistant adjutant-general at these headquarters, will proceed to-morrow on the steamer Senator to the District of Southern California and make a minute inspection of the troops at the different camps. The attention of Major Drum will be specially directed to an examination of the capacity of the officers conducting the administrative and staff departments, the fidelity and economy of their disbursements, the condition of the public property, and the amount of money on hand, and, finally, whether the supplies are sufficient and suitable for a campaign.

By order of Brigadier-General Wright:

Assistant Adjutant- General.

No. 55. San Francisco, Cal., April 5, 1862. 1. During the absence of Maj. Richard C. Drum on inspection duty in the southern district, the duties of assistant adjutant-general will be performed by Capt. Ralph W. Kirkham, assistant quartermaster. * * * * * * *k By order of Brigadier-General Wright:

Assistant Adjutant- General.

New San Pedro, Cal., April 5, 1862. Second Lieut. N. P. PIERCE, Second Oavalry California Volunteers, Camp Drum :

SIR: You will proceed with a non-commissioned officer and nine ‘privates, Second Cavalry California Volunteers, by the way of Cajon Pass, Lane’s Crossing of the Mojave, to Camp Cady, on the Mojave River, which is eleven miles below where the Salt Lake road leaves that river, and there shelter yourself and party in a field-work which was thrown up at that point by Colonel Carleton two years since. It is

reported that there is a large body of men east of Beale’s Crossing on the Colorado River, and itis possible, though not probable, that they will attempt to enter California by the Mojave route. The object in sending you to Camp Cady is to give the colonel commanding timely notice, if such should be their purpose, and to send to him any intelligence which you may receive of their movements. By putting your men and animals inside of the work, spies or a small number of scouts from such a party, coming up the river, would not know of your presence until they came so close that their escape would be impossible. From these you would be able to get information, indirectly at least, of those who follow them. So also, if small bodies of secessionists attempt to leave this State to join such a party you will be at a point where you can readily intercept them. In marching to and from that point you will be sure to have an advance guard of one or two men 300 or 400 yards in front of you, lest you might fall into some ambush. You will have one six-mule team for the transportation of your subsistence and forage. Get one or two scythes from the depot at New San Pedro, if they have them, to cut hay for your horses while at Camp Cady. If you cannot get seythes, your men must cut it with their knives and bring it into the work in their blankets, if necessary. The colonel commanding relies greatly on your prudence, vigilance, and energy in executing these orders. You will remain in Camp Cady and in that neighborhood eleven days, when, if you receive no intelligence of the body of men alluded to above, you will return by easy marches to your proper station. I am, sir,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,