George Wright to Lorenzo Thomas, March 27, 1862

Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. O.:

GENERAL: Inclosed herewith is a copy of a telegraphic dispatch which I had the honor to transmit to you yesterday in reply to yours of the 21st instant.* The propriety of my making arrangements for the protection of the emigrants as they approach my department had already received my careful consideration. The organization of the six companies of Oregon cavalry, under the command of Colonel Cornelius, it is expected, will be completed early in April. Two of those companies have been raised in the northern section of that State and four in the southern. The latter I have directed the colonel to order north as soon as the roads are passable, and then to prepare his whole command to march to Fort Walla Walla. The presence of troops in the mining districts of the Nez Percé and Salmon River countries will be absolutely necessary to preserve peace between our people and the Indians. The extravagant reports of the richness of those mines has created the wildest enthusiasm, and already a large number of men have gone from here to the Columbia River to be in readiness to move to the mines as soon as the route is practicable. As the emigrants approach this department it is certain that a large portion of them will be attracted to the mines in Oregon and Territory of Washington, and I propose, as the summer advances, to throw forward to the vicinity of Fort Hall, or farther, if necessary, a squadron or two of cavalry to afford them protection through the Snake River country. I have conferred with Mr. Crawford, the gentleman appointed to conduct the overland emigration. He is well acquainted with the route and fully understands the arrangements to be made for his safe passage through the Indian country. The protection of the Overland Mail Route will be provided for at the earliest moment practicable. At this moment neither troops nor supplies can cross the mountains without subjecting the Go¥ernment to an enormous expense, which I do not deem it proper to ncur unless an emergency should arise making it necessary. [have conferred with Mr. Louis McLane on this subject, and copy of a note he addressed me yesterday, and herewith inclosed,t will show you that no immediate danger is apprehended. The instructions of the Secretary of War will be carried out as soon as practicable. I believe that ample protection can be given to the overland mail as far east as Salt Lake by the force I have reported as available at once for that purpose, viz, five companies of cavalry and six of infantry; should it, however,

*See Wright to Thomas, March 26, p. 953. t See p. 954.

be found insufficient, it can be increased. In the present aspect of our foreign relations, prudential considerations require that a strong force should be kept at or near this city. I have now three companies of artillery and one of the Ninth Infantry in the two permanent forts. I have seven companies of the Ninth Infantry at the Presidio, but they are very much reduced, one of them having just returned from the East, with only its non-commissioned officers, and 100 of our best men being on the escort of Lieutenant Mullan’s wagon-road expedition. The three companies of cavalry near this city and the six companies of the Third Infantry California Volunteers, now at Benicia Barracks, I design for the overland mail protection. I have the headquarters and five companies of the Fourth Infantry California Volunteers, encamped at Sacramento. I shall soon move them down to Benicia or in the neighborhood of this city, according to cireumstances. In the southern district Colonel Carleton is advancing on Fort Yuma with his own regiment (First Infantry) and First Cavalry (five companies), and the Light Battery Company A, Third Artillery. The roads are still in a bad condition, and loaded wagons cannot move. I have also now in the southern district the Fifth Infantry California Volunteers, Colonel Bowie, and four companies of the Second Cavalry. Colonel Bowie,will be left in command of that district after the advance of Carleton.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,