George Wright to James H. Carleton, January 31, 1862

Col. JAMES H. CARLETON, First Regiment Infty. California Vols., San Francisco, Cal. : COLONEL: My proposition to the General-in-Chief to organize an expedition under your command, to consist of your own regiment, the First Cavalry Regiment, and a light battery, to move from the southeastern frontier of this State, was immediately approved at headquarters. The objects of the expedition you are fully aware of—the recapture of all our forts in Arizona and New Mexico, driving the rebel forces out of that country or capturing them, and opening the southern mail route. Every exertion has been and is still being made to provide your command with everything necessary to insure success, and had it not been for the unprecedented continuance of the rain, which made it impossible for the troops or wagons to move, an advance could have been made before this time. The light artillery battery, Company A, Third Artillery, commanded by First Lieutenant Shinn, is now at the Presidio, and will be sent to you as soon as the roads are passable. Four companies of the cavalry and seven companies of the Fifth Infantry have already been sent to your district. The remainder of the Fifth will be sent down soon. I desire that you dispose of these troops in the manner you may deem best calculated to preserve the peace and quiet of the district. When you finally advance, the command of the District of Southern California will be devolved on Colonel “See Seward to Stanton, January 28, with inclosure, p. 827. A sd CHAP. LXII.) CORRESPONDENCE—UNION AND CONFEDERATE. Bowie, or the senior officer then present. I do not consider it necessary to be more minute in regard to the object to be accomplished or the mode of effecting it; with the first you are well acquainted, and as for the second, I take great pleasure in assuring you that I confide everything to your well-known skill, zeal, and gallantry. I shall take occasion to write to you again before you commence your march, and give you all the information possible. l Wishing you success, I am, colonel, yours, most truly,

G. WRIGHT,