George Wright to Ferris Forman, April 28, 1862

Col. FERRIS FORMAN, Fourth Infantry California Volunteers, Sacramento, Cal. :

SIR: You have been ordered to move with your regimental headquarters and staff, with three companies, to the District of Southern California. On your arrival at San Pedro move as soon as practicable with your command to Camp Latham, and assume com mand of all the troops at or near that place, reporting by letter to Colonel Carleton. My object in posting you in the southern district is to have an officer of rank there to command the mixed corps located in the Los Angeles

District. I have various reports of dissatisfaction and treasonable plotting in the southern district, and although I do not fully credit all the rumors afloat, yet I am satisfied that there is in that country a strong element of disloyalty which is only kept down by the strong arm of power; but should any reverses happen to our arms, the traitors would at once show their colors. It will demand of you great firmness and prudence to manage affairs in the district, but when it is necessary to act, let 1t be done promptly and without a failure. Our laws and institutions must be preserved, and no open demonstration against our Government will for a moment be tolerated. There are certain men about Los Angeles, strong Union men, too, with whose acts I am not well pleased. From some cause they are constantly trying to throw suspicion on the loyalty of the officers, especially of Colonel Carleton. Such men are infinitely worse than open and avowed traitors, who can be dealt with as they deserve. Treason must be dealt with in a summary manner, and if you make arrests, send them strongly guarded to Fort Yuma. I have not heard the result of Colonel Evans’ expedition to the Mono country. I of course gave no credit to the vague rumors of his defeat, or of his failing to accomplish fully the object of his movement. I desire that a cavalry command be kept in the Mono country for a length of time, to give confidence to the settlers and to punish the Indians who may commit any aggressions. I shall be glad to hear from you fully and frequently in relation to all affairs in Southern California.

With great respect, your obedient servant,